Cisco Networkers 2008 Case Study
19 Dec 2008

Event Profile
Networkers is Cisco’s annual industry conference, an event where networking professionals access updates on trends and innovative developments in technology. The objective – to increase the competitive edge for users through a format of knowledge based training sessions.

Environmental Strategy
Cisco adopted a strategy to reduce its environmental impact and reducing the carbon footprint of the Networkers event was a key component of that strategy.

Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre Management collaborated with Cisco in developing sustainable event management processes and implementing initiatives to make Networkers 2007 a greener event, establishing a new benchmark for the industry. Cisco and BCEC again collaborated on the 2008 event with the introduction of further green initiatives.

Delegates were engaged from the very start of the conferences during official welcomes and reinforced via signage, placement of recycle bins and ‘Green Tips’ and general sustainability information for delegates issued with pre-conference material and placed throughout the Centre.

Challenges
The overriding challenge initially was not to overstate the expectations of the outcomes and to manage the desirability for definitive measurement.  The main agenda was to set benchmarks for measurement when the event returned to the Centre in 2008.

Introduction of sustainable initiatives
The partnership between Cisco and Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre proved extremely successful for both events.
Initiatives introduced for the events:

• Making the change to renewable energy by investing in 100% Australia Green Power for the duration of the event
• Use of low energy lighting in exhibition halls
• Use of reusable material for exhibition stands
• Reduced use of air conditioning at non peak periods
• Strong recycling program with the purchase of a bio bin in 2008 for the collection and management of organic waste, which is converted to compost
• Changes to Menu selection with all menus centred around fresh, seasonal, local produce
• Choice of service styles to ensure portion control and reduction of waste
• Unused food distributed to local charities via Foodbank organisation
• Establishment of full waste streaming for the conference and exhibition components of the event
• The Centre significantly reduced chemical cleaning agents by the introduction of a new system which uses electrolysis to produce materials for cleaning
• Bus transportation arranged for delegates to and from the airport and from the Convention Centre to their hotels

Positive Outcomes

• 52% of conference delegates opted for electronic information resulting in 45% reduction in paper usage for the event
• Reduction of 4185 KWH energy savings equivalent to 4.31 tonnes of Co2 emissions
• Saving of 207.7 tonnes of Co2 emissions as a direct result of using Green Power
• 70% of waste recycled

The partnership with Cisco provided the Centre with the opportunity to build on its already significant sustainability track record which includes:

• International Green Globe Benchmarking status for the Centre’s sustainability practices
• The introduction of a specially designed carbon calculator – a first for Australian convention centres
• Purchase of a Bio Bin, an organic waste management system
• Purchase of Green Power for the Centre’s Administration Offices 
• Retro fit of the Centre’s escalators resulting in a 30% reduction in energy usage 
• Being a member of the Greenhouse Challenge since June 2003.
• Introducing water saving initiatives, which have reduced water consumption by 21.6%

Summation

Cisco organisers were extremely happy with the events saying the success reflected the collaboration and relationship between Cisco and Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre.

Cisco’s original aspirational goal for the 2007 event was to work with partners to decrease the environmental impact of the event – the results speak for themselves.

“Clearly there is an imperative for business such as Cisco to take the environmental impact into account whenever we hold events. The work we are doing with the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre on this Australian leading environmental activity reflects Cisco’s wider drive to embrace business and the environment. We believe networking technologies can play a critical role in reducing the impact of business on the environment.”
Cisco Australia and New Zealand Managing Director, Les Williamson.

“Centre Management has always aimed at putting sustainability at the core of the way we do business and we welcomed the opportunity to work more closely with Cisco on developing initiatives and implementing systems to make Networkers 2007 a greener conference.
“The investment by both parties in this event has been enhanced by Cisco’s return to the Centre in 2008, further expanding the already positive environmental value of the exercise.”
Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre General Manager, Robert O’Keeffe.