Sustainability at VSS

In response to member feedback collected in recent post-meeting surveys, the VSS Board established a Sustainability Committee, consisting of Board member MiYoung Kwon, and members Anina Rich (Macquarie University, Australia) and Arun SP (Indian Institute of Science, India). Building on these ongoing efforts, the Committee developed a set of recommendations that the VSS Board of Directors has been implementing in collaboration with the Tradewinds Hotels and Shauney Wilson from Meeting Perfect.

We are pleased to continue and expand the following initiatives to improve sustainability for VSS 2026:

  • To reduce plastic waste, attendees are encouraged to bring their own reusable water bottle to VSS and use the water refill stations available throughout the venue. A limited number of VSS-branded insulated bottles will be available for purchase onsite for those who forget.
  • In alignment with member feedback prioritizing reduced environmental impact, VSS will not distribute complimentary items (including mugs) this year. Please use your mug to dispense free coffee, tea or other drinks provided during breakfast and coffee breaks, and rinse it out at any sink on the property. 
  • To reduce paper waste, we have again eliminated printed programs. To access the full conference schedule and session details, PDFs(XXXX) of the abstracts and Trifold (XXX) are also available online. 
  • Whenever possible, food and beverage items are locally sourced, supporting regional growers and reducing the environmental impact of long-distance transportation. 
  • All plates, cutlery, and napkins used at receptions, breakfasts, and coffee breaks are made from recycled materials and are fully recyclable or compostable. All waste is handled through back-of-house recycling and composting by the hotel, ensuring proper sorting and processing.

We are also pleased to note that the Tradewinds hotel has been awarded the Florida Green Lodging certification from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection for their work preserving the area’s natural resources, reducing waste, and minimizing pollution. You can learn more about our venue’s sustainability efforts here and we encourage you to be mindful as you occupy the site and the beach areas, respecting this environment and minimizing your own impact.