KLEERTECH participates in the inaugural Train the Trainer Event in Baltimore MD, May 12-13, 2011

This month the first-ever “Train the Trainer” program was conducted by GMIC (Green Meeting Industry Council), on the University of Maryland campus in Baltimore. Five faculty members instructed the 16 ‘trainer - trainees’ attending the 2-1/2 day course. Each trainer received a thorough orientation of ‘how’ to introduce the imminent ASTM/CIC Environmentally Sustainable Meetings, Events, Trade Shows and Conferences Standards to the Event Industry at large. KLEERTECH® president Scott McKye, a board member of GMIC, played an active role in the development of these new standards, which are in the final stages of peer-review and edits. In this respect, he had the unique position and opportunity to experience the ‘trainer-trainee’ course with a view from both sides of the curriculum.

The mix between planners and suppliers attending the class made for a well-balanced room, and was in line with the way the standards are positioned. “Both planner and supplier must contribute an equal amount if each are to achieve and consequently ascend to every level of sustainability in the field of event management,” stated McKye. There are four (4) levels of achievement for each of the nine (9) sectors. The faculty as well as all the stakeholders who contributed to these standards have always emphasized the focus must initially be on helping both event planner and supplier complete Level 1. Progress is much more important than perfection.

Each organizer and supplier must assess where they are currently, relative to the standards — tantamount to establishing a ‘basecamp.’ In many ways it makes the relationship much like true mountain climbing. Then together, as any good mountain climber knows, they ascend in pairs as they tackle each level. Neither organizer nor supplier may ascend “Sustainability Mountain” without a partner who is just as fully engaged and just as knowledgeable.

So what is in store for future Train the Trainer classes? There will be a number of additions to the overall 'style' of their orientation. After completing the course, the Class of May 2011 was asked by Faculty to constructively share their view of how they’d improve the format. It’s reasonable each successive class will improve on their prior group’s experience. Concurrently, the Standards as well as technology will move forward and in all likelihood needs to be adapted to this ever-changing landscape.

Given the depth and breadth of the current standards and armed with the knowledge these trainers have had much more exposure to them than the average person, a greater focus may be needed on the skills and tools necessary to communicate, lead and assist in implementation to individuals and organizations with less exposure and experience in sustainability. “I’m very excited to witness (and participate in) the evolution of this program and its impact on the future of the event industry. Only the best can possibly come for all those who challenge themselves and find trustworthy partners to travel the path together.”

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