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Sustainability

2026 Sustainability Initiatives 

Food Rescue, Waste, and Sourcing 

  • Food from the Indiana Convention Center & Lucas Oil Stadium (ICCLOS) that has not been consumed and meets health and safety standards is rescued by Second Helpings, a local not-for-profit. 
  • We intentionally review menus and consumption patterns in an effort to minimize waste and the environmental impact of the food we serve.  
  • At ICCLOS, strategic partnerships have been developed with local farmers to purchase seasonal and organic fresh fruits, vegetables, meats and poultry for functions and concession stands inside our buildings. An on-site culinary garden allows the ICCLOS’s catering partner, Sodexo Live!, to have access to fresh, organic herbs right outside our door. 
  • ASAE will once again offer sustainability stations in the expo hall for appropriate sorting.  

Single Use Plastics and Water 

  • We are once again minimizing the usage of single-use plastics and asking attendees to bring their reusable water bottle and use the water filling stations across the convention center. 
  • At ICCLOS, sink faucets are sensory guided to avoid waste, toilets have low-flow valves with automatic flush, parking lots are swept – not sprayed – when being cleaned, and storm water infiltration basins separate storm water from oils and grease before it travels to nearby waterways. 
     

Behind-the-Scenes tour of Sustainability in action at ASAE Annual Meeting 2026 

Explore how sustainability comes to life at the ASAE Annual Meeting through the lenses of environmental, social, and economic impact. Along the way, you’ll learn how planners, venues, and community partners collaborate to create a more responsible event—and leave with practical strategies to inspire your future meetings. 

Sunday, August 16 3:30-4pm.  Meet at Visit Indy Booth 801.  

Materials and Overall Recycling: 

  • Random Acts of Flowers—All flowers that are being used will be donated to healthcare facilities around the area to uplift patients and provide an extra dose of kindness. 
  • Recycling bins will once again be available where you pick up your copies of the Daily Now. Once you’ve caught up on the Daily, we encourage you to recycle.  
  • Badges will once again be collected at the close of the event to be dismantled and sorted into appropriate recycle and compost streams. Our badges are produced on coated paper that is recyclable and does not require a holder. Lanyards and ribbons are a combination of recycled materials and biodegradable plastic and are compostable.  We print badges on-site, which cuts down on waste by not pre-printing and have eliminated the use of plastic badge holders.  
  • ASAE signage and booth insert graphics are printed on recyclable material and separated from non-recyclable materials at the end of the conference. 
  • Recycled carpeting provided for use inside the Expo. Post-show, all carpet is returned for reuse.  
  • All metal structures are reused and recycled from event to event. At the end of their serviceable life, these elements are 100% recyclable.  
  • Inventory props, counters, ribbon wall, and hanging sign frames are all reused and recycled from event to event. 
  • The ICCLOS uses Green Seal Certified cleaning products throughout our buildings.  

Community Support: 

  • Through the Meeting Community Needs initiative, ASAE is committed to making a lasting impact in its Annual Meeting host cities. Read about the Meeting Community Needs activities including how you can support Teachers’ Treasures by bringing and donating unused items such as pencils, paper, etc. Exhibitors will once again be able to donate the items they won’t be shipping back—all items will go to Teachers’ Treasures.  
  • Shares, Inc. is a local nonprofit that supports inclusive employment by connecting people with disabilities to meaningful work opportunities. As part of our Annual Meeting, the Shares team is assembling attendee welcome notes and preparing the essentials kits that will be distributed at conference hotels. 

Energy Consumption at ICCLOS:  

  • Reduce lighting and HVAC during move-in and -out dates in exhibit halls where doors will be open for a significant period of time 
  • Escalators and lighting are turned off when no or minimal use is anticipated 
  • High-efficiency exterior Visionwall® curtainwall glass throughout the ICC helps decrease energy use. 
  • Motion-sensor lighting controls are installed in all restrooms 
  • Building design allows us to use natural daylight to light most lobby areas 
  • Exterior lighting is on low level on non-event days at Lucas Oil Stadium 
  • Meeting rooms and lobby areas utilize compact fluorescent lamps and exhibit halls have LED lighting, which produces zero toxic elements and is up to 80%more efficient 
  • LOS has several energy saving materials including a retractable roof, CPI Daylighting system and Big Ass® Fans that are designed to move the maximum amount of air with minimal energy consumption 

How You Can Help: 

We’ve worked hard to make this year’s Annual Meeting more sustainable—but we need your help to make an even bigger impact. Together we can strengthen the event’s environmental, social/cultural, and economic sustainability.  

  • Bring your reusable water bottle and refill it at the water filling stations located throughout the Indiana Convention Center & Lucas Oil Stadium to help reduce single-use plastic waste.  
     
  • Choose lower-emission transportation where possible. With more than 4,700 hotel rooms, 350 restaurants, and 50 attractions within walking distance of the Indiana Convention Center & Lucas Oil Stadium, consider walking, biking, or using a scooter instead of driving or taking a rideshare.  
     
  • Recycle thoughtfully throughout the meeting. Place your Daily Now in the recycling bins provided after you’ve finished reading it and use the sustainability stations in the Expo Hall to ensure recyclable and compostable materials are sorted into the appropriate waste streams. 

Please also consider supporting ASAE’s Meeting Community Needs activities.