The AMS community is deeply concerned with building a more sustainable future for our planet. As a Society, we are working to implement that vision in everything we do—so we are proud to announce our latest initiative, Green Meetings. 

AMS is building on current sustainable practices with our guidelines that govern how we conduct our meetings and scientific conferences, and what partners and venues we choose to work with.

What AMS is Doing–and What You Can Do

Over the last year, AMS has worked hard to implement green meetings initiatives at all specialty meetings. We are proud of the progress we have made to increase the sustainability of our meetings, and we look to build on the initiatives we have previously implemented. The initiatives listed below will be present at the 106th Annual Meeting and are standard for all AMS meetings. That includes providing eco-friendly options for you to improve your green footprint as a meeting attendee—we strongly encourage you to participate in these initiatives.

• Increasing our vegetarian/pescetarian/vegan menu options
• Working with venues to prioritize locally grown/sourced, plant-based meals with a low carbon footprint.
• Collecting RSVPs for food events to provide the right amount of food and reduce waste.
• No longer using aisle carpet in exhibit halls to reduce usage of single-use items.
• Donating all furniture, decor, and giveaway items after an event.
• Utilizing digital signage when possible.
• Requesting AMS waste and donation data from all AMS meeting venues.
  • Trash, recycling, composting, etc.
• Offsetting all staff travel by purchasing carbon offsets.
• Encouraging staff and attendees to use public transportation around Houston.
• Offering badge holder and lanyard recycling via boxes in the registration area.
• Encouraging attendees to offset meeting travel by purchasing carbon offsets. 
  • Offset your travel by purchasing carbon offsets here.
• Minimizing printed materials. 
  • If you need a meeting program, please request one during the registration process (to open in late October). Otherwise, please use our online program and meeting app (Coming late 2025!) to plan your day and see what’s next!
• Printing on materials that are reusable, recyclable, eco-conscious, etc.
• Continuing to offer a virtual attendance option for all meetings.
  • Green Meetings in Action: Our 500+ 104th Annual Meeting virtual attendees averted an estimated 360,000+ kg CO2e in travel-related emissions.
• Using compostable or reusable tableware for meal events.
• Conducting a site visit to explore sustainability in practice at each meeting venue.