Short press release announcing the start of Green Meetings Industry Council Sweden chapter, March 2011

1. Swedish meetings industry takes action for sustainability
issues with creation of trade association chapter
A group of leading Swedish meeting industry organizations has formed the Swedish chapter of the
Green Meeting Industry Council (GMIC), a global organization that focuses on environmental and
sustainability issues in the meetings industry.
GMIC, a not for profit organization with members in over 20 countries, has a mission to advance
meetings industry innovation through knowledge sharing, education, and research.
GMIC Sweden is founded with the generous support of some of Sweden s leading actors in
sustainable business practices: Arenabolaget in Linköping, Gothenburg Convention Bureau,
Kistamässan, Luleå Convention Bureau, MCI Sweden, Stockholm Visitors Board,
Stockholmsmässan, Svenskamässan, Visit Sweden and Visit East Sweden DMC.
Jan Peter Bergkvist, owner of the sustainability advisory Sleepwell AB and an initiator of GMIC
Sweden, explains "Through my involvement with the International Board of GMIC, I have realized the
importance of a strong industry representation in terms of raising awareness and building capacity
for change related to environmental and sustainability issues. We saw it as natural that Swedish
companies and organizations, which in many respects lead the world in these areas, create a Swedish
chapter of GMIC. We want to create a platform for meeting buyers, suppliers and other stakeholders
in the meetings industry in which we can work together for sustainable development while
consolidating Sweden's leadership as sustainable a meeting destination".
Michael Luehrs, Sustainability Services Manager at meetings and events agency MCI Group, was
elected Chairman GMIC Sweden. "This is an exciting development for the industry and I am of
course, proud to have the opportunity to lead the Swedish Chamber of GMIC. The mission of the
member organization is an important one and we will work hard to communicate the value of
membership in GMIC Sweden. In 2011, our focus will be to exceed 30 new members. Interest is
already high and because several of the founding companies are leading players in the Swedish
meetings industry whose generous contribution will allow us to provide meaningful educational
content, conditions for growth are ideal .
For more information contact:
Michael Luehrs, MCI, Sweden, +46701909830 michael.Luehrs @ mci-group.com
Jan Peter Bergkvist, Sleep Well AB, +46766336868 janpeter.bergkvist @ sleepwell.nu
Green Meeting Industry Council (GMIC) was founded in the United States and currently has over 20
departments in the world. GMIC working to promote sustainable development within the global
meetings industry through education, research and impact. Read more at www.greenmeetings.info.