Denver debuts new carbon calculator for conventions

In advance of next week's Democratic National Convention, the Denver Metro Convention and Visitors Bureau has launched an online carbon calculator and carbon offset program for meeting planners. According to the bureau, the industry-first tool will enable organizers of conventions, trade shows and other events to accurately measure their carbon footprint and purchase carbon offsets supporting verifiable mitigation projects in Colorado.

"A recent study of meeting planners found that one in three have been told by their delegates to only meet in green destinations and one in four said that if all else is equal, they will meet in the greenest destination," said Richard Scharf, president and CEO of the DMVCB. "The same study found Denver to be one of the top three greenest cities and we want to continue to work on that reputation, while expanding everything we can do to be environmentally responsible. The Carbon Calculator gives us an opportunity to work with convention groups and delegates to help them reduce their carbon footprint."

The calculator is being launched this week for guests and participants at the 2008 Democratic National Convention, but the bureau says it will remain on the DMCVB web site as a resource for all future Denver meetings and conventions.

Denver has taken a number of steps of late to boost its reputation as a green destination for business travel, including installation of solar arrays at the city’s airport and convention center.

"Denver's convention greening efforts have been a tremendous capacity-building experience for our community," Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper said. "All of our efforts have been designed to create a legacy of sustainability. We are very proud of the Denver Metro and Convention Visitor’s Bureau’s launch of the country's first convention bureau carbon calculators and grateful the partners who made it happen."

Meeting planners can tally the carbon emissions generated by travel, hotel stays and venue use associated with their meetings, then purchase offsets from the City of Aspen's web site. The City of Aspen is the first local community partner for the Colorado Carbon Fund, which invests in greenhouse gas reduction projects located in the state.


| Other Headlines for August 21, 2008

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Hotel key cards go green (news release)

In Australia, Melbourne center touts green operations (news relase)