Sustainability and green meetings in Thuringia

Sustainable event planning: Thuringia as a green venue

The measures implemented by event venues and service providers in Thuringia are diverse and extensive. From energy-efficient buildings and the use of renewable energies to regional and sustainable catering, barrier-free facilities and low-CO2 travel options - every step counts. In Thuringia, you can not only hold meetings in the countryside, but also plan and implement sustainable events.

Five approaches for sustainable events in Thuringia

1. central location and short distances  

Thuringia is located in the heart of Germany and can be reached quickly and sustainably thanks to its ICE hub. With the Deutsche Bahn event ticket, your guests can even travel with 100% green electricity! Further information can be found here.

2. green Thuringian cities

Many cities in Thuringia are actively involved in fair trade. A total of twelve cities bear the “Fairtrade Town” seal, including the state capital Erfurt. Erfurt offers a variety of sustainable shopping and enjoyment experiences and certifies the city's retail and gastronomy. Let yourself be inspired here.

3. certified locations and hotels

Thuringian locations and hotels focus on sustainability and are certified in many cases:

• Green Globe: Messe Erfurt, Jena Convention Bureau, Grand Hotel Russischer Hof Weimar
• Bio Hotels: Bio-Seehotel Zeulenroda, Biohotel Stiftsgut Wilhelmsglücksbrunn  
• GreenSign: Légère Hotel Erfurt, ibis Erfurt Altstadt, Victor's Residenz-Hotel Erfurt, Hotel an der Therme Bad Sulza, Resort Schloss Auerstedt, Hotel am Schloss Apolda, Victor's Residenz-Hotel Gera 
• Fairpflichtet: Kaisersaal Erfurt, Hotel Elephant Weimar, ADTV-Tanzschule führbar, Messe Erfurt, Weimar GmbH 
• EU Ecolabel: Bio-Seehotel Zeulenroda

4. regional enjoyment: culinary experiences

In Thuringia, regional enjoyment is a top priority. Treat your guests to sustainable catering from providers who focus on sustainability:

• CCS Eventcatering: certified organic since 2010
• LandMarkt Erfurt: organic quality since 2013 
• Keferküche from Ilmenau and Gourmet Catering from Milda: Certified by NAThüringen 

There are also numerous regional manufacturers and producers who can enrich your events with culinary delights:

• Goldhelm Schokoladenmanufaktur: Traditional craftsmanship on Erfurt's Krämerbrücke
• Heimathafen Erfurt: Beer specialties made from regional raw materials
• Nicolai & Sohn: Handcrafted dry gin made from organic ingredients 
• Röstbrüder Weimar: High-quality coffee from sustainable production 
• Zahn Wein: Exquisite wines from sustainable cultivation in Thuringia 
• Born mustard: Traditional Thuringian mustard, produced with regional ingredients 

Many event partners are members of the Thuringia Sustainability Agreement (NAT) and contribute to the implementation of the Thuringian sustainability strategy:

• NAT partners: You can find more information here

Note: Unfortunately, we do not have enough space to list all sustainable partners and service providers here. This overview therefore does not claim to be exhaustive. There are many other companies in Thuringia that are working intensively on sustainability and integrating it into their processes.

Conclusion

Thuringia offers ideal conditions for sustainable events and green meetings. With a wide range of certified conference venues, regional catering, environmentally friendly mobility and nature-oriented supporting programs, the state is a model region for sustainable event planning. You too can focus on sustainability and organize your next meeting in Thuringia!
Please contact us for further information and booking inquiries!

Further information on the topic:
Guide for the sustainable organization of events 
CO2 calculator for events

Cover picture: ©Florian Trykowski, Thüringer Tourismus GmbH