The Scottish Exhibition + Conference Centre (SECC) is leading the conference and events industry into a sustainable future by helping restore the Caledonian Forest following the venue’s securing of a Gold award in the Green Tourism Business Scheme.

Being named ‘Dundreggan Champion’ by the conservation charity Trees for Life is the latest in a series of awards recognising the venue’s commitment to sustainability. Having donated over £19,000 since 2006, the SECC is now one of the largest corporate sponsors of the project which aims to restore the Caledonian Forest by planting dedicated trees and groves.

Since joining the project, the SECC has supported the planting of an acre of native Scottish trees for each of its major conferences and a grove of eight trees for each smaller event. In total, the venue’s sponsorship has helped cover over 90 acres and 35 groves.

SECC Sales Director Ben Goedegebuure comments: “Green initiatives are not just important to us internally, they really matter to our clients too. Our growing reputation as a ‘green’ venue has helped set us apart from competitors and will help us attract events and conferences in the future.

Earlier in the year, Glasgow and the SECC were chosen as the venue for the British Wind Energy Conference (BWEC), marking the conference’s return to Glasgow and further highlighting the venue’s work to improve its green credentials.

Leader of Glasgow City Council, Cllr Steven Purcell said: “I believe that Glasgow can have a vibrant and successful future; not only as Scotland’s greenest city, but as one of the most sustainable in Europe. To make that a reality, our leading businesses must believe it too; and, every day, the SECC demonstrates that being green, being environmentally responsible, is not an indulgence or a uxury. Increasingly, the initiative that is environmentally sustainable is also the option that is economically sustainable, socially sustainable and can deliver for Glasgow.”

Scott Taylor, Glasgow City Marketing Bureau Chief Executive comments: "The SECC’s leadership has been hugely beneficial in establishing Glasgow as a destination of choice for green business tourism. Offering responsible venues and services has given the city a distinct advantage over our competitors which we are keen to grow in the future.”

The SECC’s commitment to sustainability was also recognised with a recent Gold award in the Green Tourism Business Scheme. The award recognises the wide range of environmental measures implemented by the venue including; an extensive recycling programme and cross promotion of public transport links to the SECC with local transport providers.

Ben Goedegebuure continues: “We looked at every aspect of our business to determine how it could be made more sustainable. In 2007, we invested in a baler and minimiser to reduce multiple waste streams and all our power is generated from renewable sources.

“On the other end of the scale our work now extends all the way to our own urban gardens where we grow tasty herbs to supply our Gallery Bistro.”

The SECC’s green team is currently devising new initiatives under Ben Goedegebuure’s leadership, aiming to establish the venue as one of the world’s leading sustainable tourism venues in preparation for its 25th anniversary and the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.