Sustainable meeting locations at Van der Valk

Are you looking for a sustainable meeting location for your next business meeting? At Van der Valk Business, you will find hotels that incorporate sustainability into their operations in various ways. The exact measures and certifications vary by location.

Think, for example, of recognized sustainability certifications, charging facilities for electric vehicles, solar panels, and initiatives aimed at more conscious hotel use.

Sustainable meetings start with a location that aligns with your organisation's sustainability goals. You should consider not only the meeting room but also the accessibility, energy supply, catering, accommodation options, and demonstrable sustainability initiatives of the hotel. Van der Valk Business helps you incorporate these requirements into the selection of a suitable location.

What is a sustainable meeting location?

A sustainable meeting location takes demonstrable measures to reduce the impact of business meetings and its own operations. This can be seen in energy use, waste separation, purchasing, mobility, food, and hotel accommodations.

Some Van der Valk hotels have a Green Key certification. Green Key is an international label for recreational and business accommodations that are committed to sustainability. Additionally, more locations are using solar panels, and many hotels offer charging facilities for electric cars.

Not every hotel implements the same sustainability initiatives. Therefore, check per location which certification, facilities, and initiatives are available. This way, you can choose a meeting location that aligns with your organization's sustainability policy and practical needs.

Sustainable meetings begin with the choice of location

Sustainable meetings require conscious choices before, during, and after the meeting. When comparing locations, look, for example, at the travel distance for participants, accessibility by public transport, and available charging points for electric vehicles. A centrally located venue can help limit unnecessary travel.

The program also plays a role. When meetings, dining and overnight stays all take place at one location, participants do not have to move between different venues. For a multi-day program, participants can stay overnight in the same hotel after the dinner and continue the program there the next morning.

Would you like participants to contribute to your sustainability objectives? Clearly communicate in advance about accessibility, options for traveling together, and available charging facilities. This makes the choice of a sustainable meeting location part of the entire organization of the meeting.

Sustainable meeting locations with concrete initiatives

Sustainable meeting locations distinguish themselves with visible and verifiable measures. Within the Van der Valk network, the sustainability approach varies by hotel. This allows you to compare locations on the topics most important to your organization.

When making a choice, pay attention to:

• a Green Key certification or other relevant sustainable label;

• charging facilities for electric cars;

• accessibility by public transport;

• use of solar panels or other forms of green energy;

• waste and purchasing measures;

• options to meet, dine, and stay overnight at one location;

• participation in a sustainable hotel programme.

An example of such an initiative is the Green Stay program. Within this program, trees are planted when a guest chooses not to have the hotel room cleaned. This initiative is particularly relevant when a meeting is combined with a business overnight stay.

Sustainability as part of your meeting program

A sustainable meeting involves more than choosing a certified hotel. The way the programme is structured also determines how sustainably the meeting is organised. For example, choose a room that fits the group size, avoid unused spaces, and discuss in advance the desired catering and technical facilities.

When requesting your venue, ask for available sustainability information. Consider certifications, mobility options, charging facilities, energy use, and initiatives of the respective hotel. By discussing these topics early in the quotation process, you can better substantiate the choice of location within your own sustainability or CSR policy.

Find a sustainable meeting location via Van der Valk Business

Van der Valk Business helps you find a sustainable meeting location that fits your meeting. Provide your preferred region, date, group size, and desired facilities. Mention which sustainability criteria are important to your organisation so they can be taken into account when recommending a location.

On this page, you will find the full range of affiliated hotels. View the meeting possibilities and available sustainability information per hotel or let Van der Valk Business help you find the most suitable option.