Event 29th International Symposium on Sea Turtle Biology and Conservation
Venue Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre (BCEC)
Organiser ICMS Australasia
Delegates 682
Date February 14-19


The brief
The key objective was to exchange information and expertise related to the biology and conservation of sea turtles. Host organisation, the International Sea Turtle Society (ISTS), also wanted to minimise the event's environmental impact. The event theme was 'Creating Community Collaboration'.

Challenges
The annual symposium does not usually provide lunch, only morning and afternoon breaks. Organisers were concerned the programme would need to be shortened to accommodate off-site dining and that some delegates may not return.

BCEC and ICMS Australasia distributed lunchboxes that kept delegates on-site and met both the budget constraints and environmental goals. The recyclable lunch-boxes contained specially packaged food so that unused supplies could go to Brisbane's homeless community via Foodbank.

Execution
"We successfully incorporated the theme with the official welcome event at South Bank Piazza, which included a traditional Aboriginal welcome and an information session on sea turtles within Australia," says Suellen Holland, executive manager, ICMS Australasia.

Green initiatives included the use of biodegradable pens, canvas satchels, reusable badges and recycled or sustainable paper for printed materials. The conference gift was an aluminium water bottle that replaced plastic or paper cups. Pre- and post-touring was centred on the sea turtles in Moreton Bay, 25km from the CBD. The Great Barrier Reef was also a popular choice.

Comment
"The event was a resounding success," says symposium organising committee coordinator Dr Chloe Schauble. "We were very pleased to achieve so many of the environmental goals. The AV technical services provided by the venue had the presenters raving and the audience without complaint. We were very pleased with BCEC. When it came to sustainability, the venue ticked all the right boxes," says Holland.