Sustainable meetings and events are easier than ever at Portola Hotel & Spa, the first LEED®-certified hotel in central California.
Anchoring a long-held commitment to environmental stewardship, Portola Hotel & Spa at Monterey Bay has introduced the Reduced Waste Conference Program, giving planners not only a comprehensive blueprint of standards for green meetings, but also offering a custom post-meeting sustainability report for groups of 30 or more. The program was developed in partnership with sustainability consulting firm Blue Strike Environmental.
“With the launch of Portola’s Reduced Waste Conference Program, planners now have a seamless way to align their events with their environmental goals without sacrificing quality or guest experience,” said Terri D’Ayon Joyce, Director of Sales & Catering. “The hotel isn’t just reducing waste; it’s setting an example for how conferences and meetings can drive real change.”
With 379 guest rooms and a total of 60,000 sq-ft of indoor and outdoor meeting space in the hotel and in the adjacent Monterey Conference Center, Portola reflects a design hand of coastal luxury. Flexible event space includes two ballrooms, the largest of which can accommodate up to 1,000 attendees. The hotel’s environmental practices aim to reduce landfill waste, lower carbon emissions and increase the use of reusable and recyclable resources. Among the core features of the Reduced Waste Conference Program are separate compost, recycling and waste stations at all events; eliminating single-use plastics when possible; implementing energy- and water-efficient practices; sourcing seasonal and organic ingredients from local farms; and partnering with environmentally conscious vendors and suppliers.
Portola’s group sustainability report, promised to be delivered within 10 days post-event, details key environmental metrics achieved at the meeting, including:
• Carbon emissions avoided through smart lighting and energy conservation.
• Gallons of water saved by avoiding unnecessary pre-pour setups.
• Pounds of food saved by accurate portion planning.
• Recycled and composted waste diverted from landfills.
• Locally sourced and plant-based food data that demonstrates climate-friendly choices.
• Sustainable seafood metrics aligned with Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch® recommendations.
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