Sodexo-Operated Conference Center Wins National Award for Sustainability

GAITHERSBURG, Md., May 27 /PRNewswire/ -- The Conference Center at NorthPointe, a Sodexo-operated conference center in Columbus, Ohio, was recently honored for its leadership in raising awareness of sustainability issues and reducing its environmental impact and named the recipient of the 2010 Silver Tier Sustainability Award by the International Association of Conference Centers (IACC).  The award recognizes properties worldwide that have illustrated leadership and progress in creating sustainable conference centers.

NorthPointe's sustainability program included initiatives that expanded the existing recycling program, switched to energy efficient light bulbs, started a linen reuse program in hotel rooms, reduced water bottle consumption, and changed all disposable products to bio-degradable options. To further validate their journey, the conference center made a firm commitment to the IACC's Code of Sustainability which includes 55 tenets in key areas such as waste management, recycling, reuse, water conservation, purchasing, energy management, air quality and food and beverages.

"NorthPointe has long been recognized as an award-winning, pre-eminent conference center in mid-America," said Larry Pearl, vice president of operations, Sodexo Conferencing. "Our team is absolutely committed to the sustainability initiative and this award is an accurate reflection of their enthusiasm and dedication."

The progress made by the conference center further validates the company-wide efforts of Sodexo according to The Better Tomorrow Plan, a set of broad and detailed commitments for sustainability and corporate social responsibility in three key areas of the environment, health and wellness and community development.

IACC is a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to set standards for the highest-quality venues available to meeting professionals on a global basis.

Sodexo, Inc.

Sodexo, Inc. (www.sodexoUSA.com), a member of Sodexo Group, is a leading provider of Comprehensive Service Solutions serving more than ten million customers daily in corporations, health care, long term care, retirement, schools, higher education, government and remote sites. Headquartered in Gaithersburg, Md., Sodexo, Inc. operates in the U.S., Canada and Mexico, with $7.7 billion (USD) in annual revenue and 120,000 employees. Sodexo Group (www.sodexo.com), founded in 1966, employs 380,000 people who serve 50 million people daily in 80 countries. The Sodexo Foundation (www.SodexoFoundation.org) is an independent charitable organization that, since its founding in 1999, has made more than $12.7 million in grants to fight hunger in America. Visit the corporate blog at www.sodexoUSA.com/blog .

SOURCE Sodexo, Inc.