Hispanic Chamber of Commerce event aims for environmental responsibility

When the Annual National Convention & Business Expo of the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce wrapped up on Saturday, organizers could look back with satisfaction on the event's use of green technology that cut waste and energy use while preserving the environment.

Prior to the September 24-27 event USHCC organizers teamed with technology provider and sponsor IBM to green operations. In turn, IBM recommended the convention planners work with John Cox of Kinetic Businesses Applications in order to reduce the volume of paper that is ordinarily used and distributed to attendees at such events.

"We thought it was important to show how technology could help the chamber at the convention," said Luis Cuneo, offering manager of market development for IBM.

With the event planners, Cox devised a system for expo exhibitors to email attendees information rather than distribute brochures and other paper. Through this paperless technology, the USHCC was able to slash paper production, transportation costs, landfill waste and use of inks and dyes.

"We help create a superior customer experience that allows users to access information on demand and to distribute that information to their colleagues around the world instantaneously via email anywhere and at anytime," said Cox.


| Other Headlines for September 30, 2008

Al Gore addresses West Coast Green (San Jose Mercury News)

Navajo Nation plans green hotel in Calif. (L.A. Times)

Calgary Marriott earns environmental kudos

The Calgary Marriott Hotel has scored a 4 Green Key rating from the Hotel Association of Canada's Green Key eco-rating program. The 374-room property in the heart of downtown Calgary was recognized for its purchase of green energy to power its main lobby and meeting spaces, extensive recycling efforts, and food composting.

"This accomplishment is the result of the commitment every associate has towards improving our Green policies and initiatives," said Joseph Clohessy, general manager of the Calgary Marriott. "I am extremely proud of our team in achieving a 4 Green Key Rating."

The property plans further ego-conscious initiatives including use of 100-percent energy efficient lighting, purchase of high-efficiency boilers, and a target of zero waste for functions at the hotel.

The Calgary Marriott offers more than 4,000 square feet of meeting space arrayed among 8 meeting rooms.


| Other Headlines for September 29, 2008

Emerging eco-travel destinations (EyeFlare)

Sustainable messaging at your trade show booth (Trade Show Feed)

Exhibit design awards seek nominations for green category (Bustler.net)

Mobile solar array powers West Coast Green conference and expo

As West Coast Green kicked off yesterday at the San Jose Convention Center, a mobile solar power system was providing electricity to much of the event. The nation's largest conference and expo dedicated to green building and design technology has partnered with SolaRover to cut the event's dependance on carbon emitting energy sources.

"SolaRover delivers noiseless, fumeless, emissions-free power that requires zero maintenance," said Daniel Tiel, CEO of SolaRover. "Our systems are ideal for events like West Coast Green and we are pleased that we will be able to help make this event even more sustainable than it currently is."

The firm will provide the event with a 10 kilowatt, 5,800-pound mobile solar generator powered by 14 175-watt solar panels. With its 28 batteries the unit generates and stores enough energy to run the Innovation Pipeline exhibit, the conference showhouse and the civic auditorium and audiovisual for Al Gore's keynote address on Saturday.

Indeed, the mobile solar array is just one eco-friendly aspect planned by the organizers of the conference and exposition.

"West Coast Green is taking a number of measures to green the 2008 conference like event signage made from recycled materials, food sold at the event packaged in biodegradable, compostable food ware and biodiesel truck service for deliveries," said Christi Graham, founder and president of West Coast Green. "The SolaRover generator, however, is an amazing demonstration of the kinds of new technology companies that are changing the face of business out there. We are thrilled to have them as a partner."

West Coast Green runs from September 25-27.


| Other Headlines for September 26, 2008

Green conference center in Florida offers free meeting room, rebate (news release)

White Tirol’s hotels go green (Easier.com)

Earth-friendly vodka to be widely available in U.S.

Green meeting, event and party planners take note: The Modern Spirits Group has announced expanded distribution of TRU Organic Spirits, a line that includes eco-friendly organic vodkas made from wheat grown in the U.S. The vodkas, introduced six months ago, come in 100 percent recycled, recyclable and biodegradable bottles. Furthermore, for every bottle sold the makers of the vodkas plant one tree in a tropical zone through groups such as Sustainable Harvest International.

“Our work with local farmers while creating our Artisan Vodka line opened our eyes to the need for sustainable farming and ecological stewardship,” notes company co-founder Melkon Khosrovian. “With TRU, we are doing our part to keep farmland, groundwater and our customers free of harmful chemicals and genetically modified organisms.”

The TRU line consists of three handcrafted vodkas: Straight, Lemon and Vanilla. Each is produced with certified organic ingredients such as American wheat, Bourbon vanilla beans and California lemon zest.

Other green features of the TRU vodkas include bottles that use 25 percent less glass than typical bottles; corn-fiber labels printed with soy-based ink; recyclable synthetic corks; shipping boxes made in part from post-consumer waste; and marketing materials on tree-free stock printed in vegetable inks.

TRU is now available in 15 states including Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, South Carolina and Tennessee. A 750ml bottle retails for $34.99.


| Other Headlines for September 25, 2008

America's greenest hotels 2008 (MSNBC)

In UK, Considerate Hoteliers Assn. launches green awards (Travel Daily News)

Virtual meetings group uses green appeal

In an environmentally based challenge to the face-to-face meetings industry, a group of companies promoting virtual meetings hopes to expand corporate use of meetings communication technologies. On Tuesday, the Carbon Free Meeting Coalition announced a new drive to help companies cut carbon emissions and costs by using “green meeting” communication technologies.

For companies looking to reduce travel and meetings spending, the coalition’s “Kick Start Clinic” will provide firm with review of meetings operations and assist in finding communications providers. In the meantime, the group’s “Sustain to Save” program helps companies to track carbon reductions and cost savings resulting from holding meetings via audiovisual technology rather than travel.

"The Carbon Free Meeting Coalition works tirelessly on behalf of our membership to provide information and develop programs that serve to further increase their use of advanced visual communications, web collaboration and cutting edge audio conferencing technologies as part of their going green initiatives," said Stu Gold, executive director and the Carbon Free Meeting Coalition. "With the launch of the Kick-Start Clinic and the Sustain to Save Program, the Coalition is now able to directly assist our membership with two of the more difficult issues they often have when attempting to launch and maintain their energy reduction efforts."

More information about the Kick Start Clinic and Sustain to Save programs are at www.c02fmc.com.


| Other Headlines for September 24, 2008

PKF: Green hotels have more value (Hotels Mag)

Portland, Ore., tops new list of sustainable major cities in U.S.

Sustainlane.com, a web site for green living, has announced its 2008 sustainability ranking of the 50 biggest cities in the U.S., finding Portland, Ore., to be the most nature-friendly. The list was tabulated using 16 economic, environmental and green tech criteria, with consideration of the quality of air, water, and mass transit -- as well as a self-sufficient local economy replete with farmers' markets and renewable energy sources.

"The SustainLane U.S. City Rankings speak, first and foremost, to the local leadership found across America and how mayors, city councils and their offices of sustainability are preparing their cities for resource deficits due to high gas and energy prices, drought, rising food prices and other issues," says SustainLane Media CEO James Elsen. "It has been proven that good, strong local leadership can directly improve residents’ quality of life. During an election year especially, it's important that Americans applaud the steps taken in their municipalities while asking for even bolder forward steps to improve their communities."

The list makers at SustainLane found several megatrends in sustainability changing the face of U.S. cities. Among these are more bicycling, more trains, reinvigorated downtown districts, and more robust community groups. Also, there has been an increase in alternative energy production as well as a a mainstreaming of the "green" movement.

"We're beginning to see the top- and bottom-ranked cities move farther apart, with the cities taking sustainability seriously increasing in desirability nationwide and enjoying better odds of long-term economic prosperity," said Elsen. "Specifically, the top 15 cities are creating more vibrant city centers and offer higher quality air, water, food and transportation choices that yield smaller carbon footprints per resident than those at the bottom of the list. We predict that the lower-ranking cities will increasingly struggle to sustain their resident and business populations and local economies."

The 2008 SustainLane U.S. City Rankings (2006 Rankings in Parentheses):


1) Portland (1)
2) San Francisco (2)
3) Seattle (3)
4) Chicago (4)
5) New York (6)
6) Boston (7)
7) Minneapolis (10)
8) Philadelphia (8)
9) Oakland (5)
10) Baltimore (11)
11) Denver (9)
12) Milwaukee (16)
13) Austin (14)
14) Sacramento (13)
15) Washington (12)
16) Cleveland (28)
17) Honolulu (15)
18) Albuquerque (19)
19) Atlanta (38)
20) Kansas City (18)
21) San Jose (23)
22) Tucson (20)
23) Jacksonville (36)
24) Dallas (24)
25) Omaha (37)
26) San Diego (17)
27) New Orleans (32)
28) Los Angeles (25)
29) Louisville (35)
30) Columbus (50)
31) Detroit (43)
32) Phoenix (22)
33) San Antonio (21)
34) Miami (29)
35) Charlotte (34)
36) Houston (39)
37) Fresno (37)
38) El Paso (31)
39) Fort Worth (46)
40) Nashville (42)
41) Arlington (41)
42) Long Beach (30)
43) Colorado Springs (26)
44) Indianapolis (45)
45) Virginia Beach (48)
46) Memphis (43)
47) Las Vegas (27)
48) Tulsa (40)
49) Oklahoma City (49)
50) Mesa (47)

A detailed report is available at sustainlane.com.


| Other Headlines for September 23, 2008

Do customers really care about green? (Hospitality Net)

Carbon-neutral wine summit scheduled (news release)

San Francisco plans green airport terminal (Mercury News)

Green Theme for CHA 2009 Convention & Trade Show (news release)

Wyndham staff to sport new Earth-friendly uniforms made of plastic bottles

Wyndham Hotels and Resorts has introduced eco-conscious uniforms for hotel staff that are fabricated from recycled polyester fibers created from plastic beverage bottles. This fall, the Parsippany, N.J., based hotel company will roll out the new uniforms according to job categories. By the end of 2009, front desk and other employees with customer interactions will don the new Earth-friendly uniform, while housekeeping and other back-of-house staff adopt the uniform by the end of 2010.

According to the hotel company, plastic beverage bottles are reduced to flakes, then filaments that are spun into yarn and then soft fabrics. The end result: More plastics are kept from landfills. Cincinnati–based Cintas Corporation will design and manufacture Wyndham's new eco-savvy look.

“As part of our quest to find new and innovative green practices, we challenged Cintas to design a program that reflected our three Wyndham brand–defining pillars of innovation, personalization and flexibility,” said Faith Taylor, Wyndham Worldwide vice president of sustainability and innovation. “Cintas answered the call by selecting trendy, eco–conscious garments that are machine washable, easily modified and mixed–and–matched for a more personal look.”

The uniforms will come in an urban look called "Trend" and a resort looked dubbed "Fresh Air." Individual hotels may pick among design options for each job catagory for a customized effect unique to each property.

But will employees appreciate the new wardrobe?

“We tested the uniforms at several Wyndham hotels and found staff appreciated the comfort of the garments but also the retail–inspired, upscale contemporary look,” said Peter Strebel, Wyndham Hotels and Resorts president. “Introducing a sustainable uniform is not only consistent with our vision to be more mindful of the environment, but also educates employees on the importance of being green–minded at all levels of the organization.”

Wyndham will unveil the full line at the Cintas Corporation trade show booth during the 2008 International Hotel/Motel & Restaurant Show to be held in New York's Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, Nov. 8–11.


| Other Headlines for September 22, 2008

Malaysian Airways flies green aircraft (New Straits Times)

A look at some of hospitality's most sustainable lodgings (Metropolis)

GreenBusiness Works Expo scheduled for Oct. 7-8 (web site)

Shades of Green expo scheduled for Sept. 23 in Natick, Mass. (web site)

Interview with Midori Connolly of Pulse Staging and Events

Midori Connolly is the CEO of Escondido, Calif.-based Pulse Staging and Events, the nation's premier supplier of sustainable audiovisual services for meetings. Connolly graduated cum laude from San Diego State University with a degree in International Business and a minor in Japanese. She is a Phi Beta Kappa alumna and President-Elect of the SDSU Business Alumni Network. She seeks out and hires women for her events and future plans include creating an organization to support the limited number of women in the industry. Further, Connolly is a member of the Green Meeting Industry Council and serves as co-chair of the sponsorship committee for the annual GMIC conference, as well as on that group's membership committee. Recently, Connolly told TGM her sustainable tricks of the audiovisual trade.

What inspired you to become involved in providing sustainable audiovisual services? What was your background beforehand?

Connolly: I've always been a bit hypersensitive about my beliefs. I mean, how many eight-year-olds stop eating meat and donate their weekly allowance to PETA on their own accord? So, when we started Pulse Staging it was as a no-brainer that we'd have to align our business standards with my personal passion for sustainability. Fortunately, as a startup, we had the flexibility to mold our inventory and practices to match my personal code.

Was there a lot of information available to you when you decided to try to provide green A/V, or did you have to do a lot of research and engage in much trial and error?

Connolly: I have to smile when I hear this. I think I might possibly have accrued each and every “green event checklist” distributed in the English language. Imagine my shock when I discovered that there was no mention of A/V in any of these documents. That's when I informally launched my nine month crusade to create some type of standards I could follow, culminating in the “Best Practices for Sustainability in the Staging Industry” document. I think saying I was flying by the seat of my pants is an understatement. More like I was securely fastened to the jet engine of growth that is the field of sustainability. There's so much information that accumulates daily. If there's one thing I've never professed to be, however, is an expert. I simply compiled information from those who are. I pulled the most pertinent information I could from other industries and gave it a staging twist.

Since then I've seen some improvement, including an A/V Primer created by Dwayne Thomas and Meeting Strategies Worldwide.

How do you approach an event differently than a traditional A/V provider?

Connolly: It will sound quite odd, but we undersell. We downgrade where possible and try to pinpoint where we can minimize consumption of energy and materials. We're not trying to create the “biggest, brightest show on earth,” but the “brightest, cleanest and most efficient show on earth.” As usual, the beauty of conservation is that it frequently equates to lower expenditure for my clients.

Elizabeth Rogers, author of “The Green Book” once said that we should try to find one new way to green our lives each day. So now we try to find one more green practice with each event. This has become a bit of an obsession. For instance, we're now working on a non-toxic gaffers tape.

What do you recommend event organizers who want to “go green” should look for in suppliers of audiovisual services?

Connolly: As I've mentioned there is no green A/V education or information readily available today, so not many suppliers will have a framework to build on. In such a case, it's most important to evaluate the supplier's overall environmental policy. What tangible efforts can the organizer identify? If there isn't anything yet, the best thing would be to pass along a copy of the “Best Practices” and ask that their supplier be willing to at least try to implement some changes.

Let's go through aspects of your work. For visuals, like video screens, what's the greenest approach and equipment?

Connolly: This is one of the most challenging aspects of green A/V. Not to get too technical, but currently we can't recommend one projector over another for its efficiency factor (lumens/brightness per watt of energy consumed) and contrast ratio because there is no industry standard. Each manufacturer calculates their numbers differently! To complicate this further, each event's unique needs make creating static rules almost impossible.

So, instead, we evaluate which equipment manufacturers are committed to an environmentally responsible process. For instance, the Da-Lite screen company is a model of walking the walk: They've gone so far as to obtain the extremely challenging ISO 14001:2004 certification.

Of course, for display monitors, you'll always want to see LCD vs. Plasma monitors. Longer life and lower energy consumption. This is where digital signage can be a fabulous means of preventing the waste of disposable signs.

Finally, we turn off projectors at the end of the day (I can hear the gasps from colleagues already). Traditionally, equipment is left on 24/7. Even if the idea of turning the projectors off is too distressing for some, there is a “stand-by” mode that reduces energy consumption to almost nothing.

What about lighting?

Connolly: Now this is an easy one – three cheers for LED. I am infatuated with LED lighting for its power consumption, clarity and color-changing qualities. Not to mention that there is virtually no thermal output. They can be programmed for any color desired; plastic color gels are not necessary. And that takes care of the first R - Reduce!

How does one green the audio at an event? A PA system is a PA system, right?

Connolly: Did you really think I wouldn't have a green answer for you ? Of course we can green the audio! Class I amplifiers use 46 percent of the energy of a traditional amp and their power output is double. Now if that's not green I don't know what is.

Amplifiers and lights give off a lot of heat energy. Don't you need more air conditioning with bright lights? How can a planner mitigate that?

Connolly: Aha! This brings up one of my absolute favorite stories. At the recent Sustainable Brands Conference in Monterey, we had a full rig of LED lights and Class I amplifiers. As each speaker came off the stage, they would inevitably ask what comprised “green A/V.” First I would inquire if they had been hot and sweaty on stage (if you've ever been on a stage you know the heat generated by incandescent stage lights). Their general reply was that they had guessed the A/C was cranked as high as possible. At this point I would have them observe that the audience was not wrapped up in shawls, jackets, sweaters – as is the norm in most any ballroom General Session – but actually looked quite comfortable.

So, using green A/V not only consumed less power (we could have plugged our entire lighting rig into a wall outlet), but had the most amazing affect of requiring less external cooling.

Offsets are somewhat controversial, so whom to you use for offsets and why?

Connolly: I'm a big fan of offsets. But let me clarify. I don't think it's fair to do nothing else but purchasing offsets to be deemed “carbon neutral” or “green.” There has to be a physical change of practices. Then offsets should compensate for that which we cannot change.

How receptive are your clients to producing events sustainably? Does the desire to be green drive business your way, or do you bring up sustainability in the RFP process or later on?

Connolly: To be honest, I think that occasionally the term, Green A/V, might cost me credibility. It sounds fishy, doesn't it? Fortunately it does spark curiosity so I can frequently convert and/or educate clients on the benefits of sustainable events.

You've put a lot of information online for others to follow in order to produce greener events – why not keep that knowledge as a trade secret?

Connolly: Oh wow, this is a fabulous question. I briefly struggled with this concern. Then the true nature of why I did this won out. I have an 11-month-old daughter and a 4 year-old son. Do I want them to be able to experience summers in the mountains like I did when I was a kid? You bet. If someone sees my little contribution to “the cause” worthy enough to claim as their own but it works to preserve the world around us, then I've done my part. End of story.

What developments in green event staging are just around the corner that you are looking forward to?

Connolly: I'm steering the guidelines for Sound and Video on the ASTM International's Green Meetings and Events Panel. This is a set of standards written by the industry for the industry. I'm excited to see what the input of peers will produce. With more minds comes more innovation!

As far as equipment and technology, I can't discuss the details, but we're in the design phase of a tool that can be used at any live event for real-time metering of power usage.

Aside from sustainability, what trends and technologies are having an impact on what you do?

Connolly: Full Hi-Definition events are no longer the exotic creature they once were. For us it's thrilling to finally use our HD equipment to its fullest potential on a more regular basis – still not enough, but we're getting there!

What is the first, most important thing planners can do to green their A/V, if you could give readers one “takeaway” item for their checklists.

Connolly: LED Lighting. I know it's not a revolutionary idea, but it's the single largest use of energy onsite. Want to make it even more simple? Collect and reuse batteries. It's free. It's easy. It's effective. Dry cell batteries contribute about 88 percent of the total mercury and 50 percent of the cadmium in the municipal solid waste stream. The best part is that most batteries actually have quite a bit of life left, plus they are AA - the type that most kids' toys and personal electronics use! We're always popular on Christmas morning…

New Chicago area meetings hotel sets high bar for greenness

The new, 556-room InterContinental Chicago O'Hare has gone greener than most eco-friendly hotels, and is offsetting 100 percent of its Co2 emissions associated with its energy consumption. The Rosemont, Ill., property, just 14 minutes from downtown Chicago, purchases its renewable energy credits from wind power from Constellation New Energy in Baltimore, Md.

The property opened for business September 8.

Further, the InterContinental Chicago O'Hare features a “Green Meetings” program and recycles all materials used in its convention area. The hotel features 22 meeting rooms with 52,250 square feet of meeting space. Additionally, four sales and meeting professionals work full time on site.

Meeting planners can choose from green amenities like organic local meals, recycled paper and pencils, and energy-saving LCD projectors.

"The InterContinental Chicago O'Hare is dedicated to significantly lessening our carbon footprint on the earth, as well as raising awareness in our community about the importance of preserving our natural resources," said David Hall, general manager of the hotel.

Portfolio Hotels and Resorts manages the property. The firm also runs one of the first hotels in the U.S. to be LEED-certified, San Francisco's Orchard Garden Hotel.

Other green measures at the InterContinental Chicago O’Hare include use of compact fluorescent light bulbs, dimmable fluorescent bulbs, and LED lights; recycling of all glass, paper, cardboard, batteries, aluminum, and compact fluorescent bulbs used at the property; use of biodegradable water bottles made from corn.


| Other Headlines for September 18, 2008

Airports go eco-friendly (USA Today)

Coral Gables, Fla., sees first green-certified hotel (Hotel & Motel Management)

Carnival diverts ships from Galveston to New Orleans (Houston Chronicle)

Recyclers gather at E-SCRAP 2008 (news release)

Wyndham Worldwide greens operations; hires VP of sustainability and innovation

On Tuesday, Parsippany, N.J.-based Wyndham Worldwide announced a plan to boost its commitment to environmental sustainability though a “Global Green Day” event on Oct. 2. Slated to take place at Wyndham’s offices around the world, the day will focus on educational components of the WyndhamGreen program (.pdf), interaction with to eco-friendly products and vendors, and the launch of Wyndham’s new green web site.

According to Wyndham Worldwide, the hotel giant will begin a concerted effort to cut energy consumption as part of an overall eco-friendly strategy across its portfolio. All told, Wyndham Worldwide encompasses nearly 70,000 properties in 100 countries.

“Due to its numerous brands, properties and distribution points, the WyndhamGreen program is expected to have a large impact on the company’s overall carbon footprint.” the company said in a statement.

Wyndham Wordwide also has created the new position of vice president of sustainability and innovation. Green hospitality leader Faith Taylor has been named to that post. She will lead the strategy and direction of Wyndham Worldwide’s environmental efforts and programs and manage brand-wide conservation efforts including Wyndham Hotel Group, Group RCI and Wyndham Vacation Ownership.

Additionally, Taylor will lead the Wyndham Worldwide Green Council and the rollout of “Blue Harmony,” a spa program that aims to promote environmental awareness. She will also manage Wyndham Worldwide’s new web site dedicated to green issues.


| Other Headlines for September 17, 2008

Raleigh convention center’s eco-friendly shimmer wall (ZDNet)

Victims of Ike in George R. Brown Convention Center (Houston Chronicle)

Tattoo convention goes green in Denver (Colorado Daily)

Socially conscious investment event goes green in Whistler, B.C.

When 700 sustainable and responsible investment industry professionals gather this October in British Colombia at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler, their event will have a minimal impact on Mother Nature. First Affirmative Financial Network and the Social Investment Forum, cohosts of the 19th annual SRI in the Rockies Conference, have taken significant steps to produce a green event.

In the RFP process, organizers asked prospective hotels for proposals incorporating the Best Practices Survey developed by the Green Hotel Initiative. Hotels that failed to do so were not considered for the event.

"It's easy to feel overwhelmed by the changes necessary to create a genuinely 'green' meeting," said George Gay, CEO of First Affirmative. "But whatever we do now — even simply asking questions of hotels — contributes to the momentum that will move green meetings to the mainstream."

First Affirmative Financial Network and the Social Investment Forum sought a meeting hotel that had evaluated its carbon footprint, was LEED-certified, used local or organic food, recycled and worked to cut energy use.

This year's conference venue, the Fairmont Chateau Whistler, fit the bill. The property has been awarded a 4 Green Key Rating in the Green Key Eco-Rating Program.

Working with the hotel, conference planners will build environmental awareness and lowering energy usage. Some examples of the event’s eco-consciousness: Newspapers will be distributed by request only; bottled water will be banned; TVs and superfluous lighting will be powered down in guest rooms. Further, the conference has a recycling sponsor and a sponsor for carbon offsets.

"It's an evolutionary, rather than a revolutionary, process," says First Affirmative President, Steve Schueth. "As we continue to raise the bar on this event each year, we encourage more green events and conventions across the spectrum."

SRI in the Rockies Conference is scheduled for October 26-28.


| Other Headlines for September 16, 2008

Portland, Me., appeals to green meeting planners (Press Herald)

Fuel costs are a wake up call for air carriers (Toronto Star)

Technology makes meetings green (blog)

Fort Lauderdale meeting property wins nod from Fla. Green Lodging Program

The 250-room Renaissance Plantation in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., has joined the Florida Green Lodging Program. Administered by the state's Department of Environmental Protection, the program requires hotels to conserve energy and water, and reduce waste.

The property features more than 10,000 square feet of meeting space, nine meeting rooms, a 5,400 square-foot ballroom with a 500-person capacity, and a pre-function area on the Lakeview Terrace.

"'Going green' is a top priority for us and we're working hard at conserving natural resources, " said Alice Land, director of sales
for the property.

Further, the Renaissance Plantation has launced a green meetings program featuring paperless billing; online event menus; meeting room recycling; Earth-friendly water service; organic flowers; recyclable box lunches; and florescent lighting in meeting areas.

A ceremony marking the hotel's participation in the green lodging program with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection will be held on October 14, 2008 at 11:00AM.


| Other Headlines for September 15, 2008

St. Louis convention center goes green (Springfield News Tribune)

Green conference opens at the Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center (Auto Channel)

15 convention centers slated to open soon (Tradeshow Week)

Collecting hotel towel cards (Washington Post)

Exhibitor greens trade show booth for CTIA Wireless event

Sometimes, it is the individual exhibitor who chooses to go green at a trade show. That is the case with UIEvolution, a producer of multimedia publishing software. When the CTIA Wireless event takes place in September at San Francisco’s Moscone Center, UIEvolution will cut the carbon footprint associated with its booth.

In addition to environmental responsibility, the company says an eco-friendly approach can help the bottom line.

"This event strategy is financially responsible and makes good business sense," said UIEvolution CEO Chris Ruff. "But more importantly UIE has always been dedicated to the user experience and digital content distribution and this takes that philosophy beyond business to the planet."

For instance, the Seattle-based firm is reducing drayage by furnishing its booth with goods from the local IKEA. When the event wraps up, UIEvolution will donate the furniture to an area nonprofit to provide to a family in need.

Further, the exhibitor has cut the number of employees who will travel to the event to work the booth and plan to have them housed within walking-distance of the venue, so as to avoid the need for ground transportation.

Moreover, UIEvolution has relied on electronic distribution of press and promotional materials in order to slash paper use.


| Other Headlines for September 12, 2008

Nominations for 2009 IMEX Green Awards now open (news release)

New Andaluz Hotel in Albuquerque to use solar system (news release)

Novotel Hyderabad gets Green Globe certified (Travel Daily News)

Xanterra wins recognition for environmental commitment

The National Park Service has given its 2008 Environmental Achievement Award to resort operators Xanterra Parks & Resorts for the company's operations in Death Valley National Park.

The award recognizes Xanterra's installation of a five-acre, one-megawatt solar photovoltaic system that generates more than a third of the annual electricity needs of the company's operations in Death Valley, which includes the historic Furnace Creek Inn, Furnace Creek Ranch, Furnace Creek Golf Course, employee offices and housing.

"Our company's environmental mission is to find every way we can to reduce waste and conserve energy, while at the same time balancing economic viability with ecological responsibility," said Andrew N. Todd, president and CEO of Xanterra. "We consider it an honor when our client — the National Park Service — agrees that we are doing an award-winning job."

According to Denver-based Xanterra, its facility is one of the largest private PV energy systems in the nation and the largest in U.S. tourism.

The company is seen as an environmental leader in the hospitality industry because of its initiatives to cut greenhouse gasses, construct buildings that earn LEED certification, and chart its environmental progress through third-party certified sustainability reports.

| Other Headlines for September 11, 2008

Green parties abound at NYC Fashion Week (Ecorazzi)

Olympics produce more green meeting venues in Beijing (Successful Meetings)

Hurricane Ike throws off Caribbean tourism (Miami Herald)

Austin hotel offers “green stay” (Austin Statesman)

Exhibit systems firm says greening led to growth

After leaping 1,000 spots on Inc. magazine’s list of the 5,000 fastest growing companies, E&E Exhibit Solutions gave partial credit for its momentum to “the recent addition of a ‘green’ trade show line.”

This year, the Tempe, Ariz.-based company has seen growth of 112.4 percent and a $2.2 million jump in revenue.

“E&E Exhibit Solutions was one of the first display companies to recognize the increased demand for environmentally friendly options for its clients and quickly assembled a comprehensive range of green resources including bamboo counters, recycled tire flooring, LED lighting and other partially recycled display materials,” the company said in a statement. “The ability to provide the latest resources and respond to customer's needs has paid dividends in the caliber of clients E&E Exhibit Solutions serves.”

This year, E&E snagged the 3,103 spot on Inc.’s 5000 fastest-growing companies list. In January, the firm inked a deal with Eco-Systems, manufacturer of green-built modular trade show exhibits.

“E&E Exhibit Solutions recognizes the growing need—and in some cases requirements— of our clients to seek out green marketing ideas, such as eco-friendly manufactured products, in the production of their exhibit materials,” said Daniel Chaddock, president of E&E. “Our relationship with Eco-Systems is the first step in our goals to partner with eco-friendly manufacturers to offer our clients a variety of quality, green exhibit products.”

E&E serves more than 1,200 clients in 44 U.S. and nine countries, including Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, Mexico, South Africa, Switzerland and the UK.


| Other Headlines for September 10, 2008

Top 10 ecotourism leaders named (Travel Mole)

LEED works on the honor system (Maryland Daily Record)

In UK, three-quarters of meetings venues have taken green steps (Travel Mole)

SustainCommWorld goes extra mile to create green trade show

SustainCommWorld, producers of the Green Media Show, are confident they have created a truly Earth-friendly event.

According to organizers of the upcoming green communications trade show in Boston, all booths, displays and signage on the trade show floor will come from 100-percent “recycled and recyclable materials, reusable metal products and biodegradable bamboo for wall materials.”

"We made a commitment from the start to utilize as many sustainable green resources as possible to reduce the entire carbon footprint of this
event,” said Kathleen Kaiser, producer of SustainCommWorld. “We analyzed every aspect, pre-show marketing, actual conference production, onsite materials and the biggie — the actual show floor. Being in the trade show business for twenty years, I took a hard look at what show management and what exhibitors could do to reduce the overall expo footprint.”

Other eco-conscious highlights include handouts printed on recycled paper with vegetable-based inks, F&B service with local foods and no plastic bottles, biodegradable name badge lanyards and minimization of drayage through use of video demonstrations by exhibitors.

"First focus was on the actual booths,” Kaiser said. “Shipping in large booth structures from around the country, takes energy — burns carbon. And many of those booths and their printed graphics are not created sustainably. Lighting could be old-fashioned incandescent. The only factor I could not control was the carpeting as this is a hotel event and permanent carpeting was installed.”

Kaiser credits Marriott for working to make the event as sustainable as possible. “They have a great corporate program, ‘Echo,’ that is refitting and addressing many sustainability issues inside their hotels,” she said.

SustainCommWorld is focused on green communications for corporations and government agencies, and will feature sessions on lowering the carbon footprints of ad campaigns, websites, printed materials and internal communications.

The event is scheduled for Oct. 1-2 at the Boston Marriott Copley Place.


| Other Headlines for September 9, 2008

Cruise lines change course to save on fuel (New York Times)

Carbon offsets make forest conservation pay off (San Francisco Chronicle)

Electronic systems show goes green in Denver

In Denver, the Custom Electronic Design and Installation Association has just wrapped CEDIA EXPO 2008, an event that set a new standard for the group's commitment to the environment.

The electronic systems integration association cut up to 90 percent of waste by offering free educational course ware electronically.

Also, CEDIA gave attendees the option of donating five dollars to Carbonfund.org to offset C02 emissions associated with travel to the event. Further, the group worked with managers at the Colorado Convention Center to ensure the facility implemented eco-friendly practices during the event.

“CEDIA’s motivation is very simple," said Don Gilpin, executive director of the association. "Not only does implementing eco-friendly procedures reduce long-term costs for companies, it also improves the health and safety of employees. We encourage our members to make this commitment every day. Businesses everywhere can recycle materials, use supplies intelligently and increase their understanding of environmentally-friendly electronics to help strengthen the reputation of their company and the electronic systems industry."

The group's other eco-friendly measures include printing marketing materials on Forest Stewardship Council-certified paper and greening the headquarters office with recycling programs, equipment donations to local charities, and installation of energy saving devices such as "computer eco-buttons."

CEDIA pledges continued growth in its green initiatives over the next few years and will institute more new nature-friendly procedures at 2009 CEDIA events.


| Other Headlines for September 8, 2008

Boston convention facility hires alternate caterer for USGBC event (Boston Globe)

Green plan mulled for Raleigh, N.C., convention center (WRAL-TV)

The bad news about green architecture (Newsweek)

Hotels go green as demand skyrockets (The Tennessean)

Meeting planners conference with green theme set for L.A.

On October 29, Red 7 Media will debut Agenda XPO Los Angeles, a one-day educational conference and trade show for event and corporate meeting planners. The conference will feature an education track on greening meetings and events. Sessions will include “Maximizing the Benefits of Eco-Conscious Events,” “Event Design Trends,” “15 Ways to Green Your Event Today,” and “Fresh Technology for Modern Events.”

Agenda publishes resource directories for special event and corporate meeting planners in select marketplaces, including California. Agenda has held a New York City conference and trade show for the past nine years, and last year launched a Boston event. But the Oct. 29 Agenda XPO Los Angeles will be the first held on the West Coast.

"While the Southern California market is a natural expansion area for Agenda's live events, we take our lead from our event planning subscribers, who have asked us to bring in a quality show that provides thoughtful, relevant, take-away educational sessions and the opportunity to really talk business with key venues and service providers," said Jim Alkon, Group Publisher of Red 7 Media's Event Group.

The event takes place at the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel.


| Other Headlines for September 5, 2008

PR firms promote green hotels (Hospitality Net)

Like Dems, GOP has eco-friendly convention (CQ Politics)

Green: the new marketing tool (Reuters)

In blow to Amtrak, GrandLuxe Rail Journeys goes under (Wall Street Journal)

Debut Florida Green Lodging Conference set for November

From Nov. 10-12, the Hilton University of Florida Conference Center will host the first annual Florida Green Lodging Conference, to be themed "Being Green, Saving Green & Making Green."

Scheduled for Nov. 10-12, the Florida Green Lodging Conference has been organized by the conference center, VisitGainesville, the University of Florida Department of Conferences and Florida Department of Environmental Protection. The program has tracks for front-of-house issues like sales, marketing and management and back-of-house issues like engineering. The conference fee is $265 if booked by Wednesday, Oct. 8.

The 248-room hotel boasts an IACC Conference Center, as well as 25,000 square feet of meeting space.

"Designated as one of the first green hotels in Florida, the Hilton University of Florida Conference Center is an ideal location to host this first-of-its-kind event," said Roland Loog, CDME, executive director of VisitGainesville. "State agencies now are required to contract meeting and conference space with facilities that have the Department of Environmental Protection DEP Green Lodging Designation. As a result, it has become increasingly important for both government meeting planners and hoteliers alike to gain a better understanding of the benefits of 'green' hotels and how to better meet these requirements."

The Hilton University of Florida Conference Center is the only hotel in Gainesville to be Green Certified. In winning the designation, the property focused on water conservation with low-flow fixtures on shower heads, faucets and toilets. Also, it installed dimmer switches in conference rooms, along with compact fluorescent bulbs and window tinting to cut air conditioning used. Moreover, the conference center recycles whenever and whatever possible and has an eco-friendly training program for employees.

"Since implementing these eco-friendly programs, we have been able to recycle an average of 2.7 tons per month -- or a total of more than 100 tons -- since 2004," said Nanci Haley, general manager. "As we continue to review and assess additional programs, we hope to double these results in the coming years."

The hotel is managed by Davidson Hotel Company, one of the nation's largest hotel operators.


| Other Headlines for September 4, 2008

Groups vie to define green meetings (Business Travel News)

The controversy around green meetings (blog)

Green meetings taking off (Strait Times - Singapore)

SustainCommWorld throws green event (news release)

GOP also runs an Earth-friendly convention

Like the Democrats, the GOP has gone to great lengths to green their 2008 national convention. Focusing on the venue, transportation and the convention staff office space, planners have sought to reduce waste and shrink the event’s carbon footprint.

"I think we are going to be the greenest convention in GOP history," said Joanna Burgos, press secretary for the convention, which is being held this week with a compressed schedule due to Hurricane Gustav.

For instance, convention organizers have added hybrids and flex-fuel vehicles to to the fleet used at the event. Planners have developed a paperless registration system for volunteers. Also, the Republicans have worked with the Xcel Energy Center and Saint Paul RiverCentre to find energy savings.

The office of the Committee in Arrangements is full of recycled furniture, has climate control that powers down at 5 p.m. and has ample recycling for plastics and paper. Many of the staffers live within walking distance ofthe office or commute via public transportation.

Convention planners expect about 45,000 delegates, alternate delegates, journalists and other guests at the event.


| Other Headlines for September 3, 2008

Hurricanes changing cruise ships’ courses (Travel Mole)

Biloxi, Miss., casinos spared heavy damage from Gustav (Hotel Online)

New Orleans weathers Hurricane Gustav with little damage

The New Orleans Metropolitan Convention and Visitors Bureau reports that the city "fared extremely well" during landfall of Hurricane Gustav on Monday. After the evacuation of more than 30,000 visitors to the Crescent City, only minor flooding and wind damage were reported while half the city is without power. Hotels were largely undamaged.

Both the Morial Convention Center and Superdome came through the storm successfully, and are under the protection of Louisiana's National Guard.

"We fully expected at least minor flooding in the city due to extensive rain," the NOMCVB states. "This is a New Orleans norm even during non-storm times. State and local officials were particularly concerned about flooding on the West Bank which has a less developed levee system than the East Bank where the French Quarter, Business District, SuperDome and Convention Center lie. A private levee has breached in Plaquemines Parish and affected homeowners there but is no threat to New Orleans as it is contained by a separate river levee."

Further, the bureau says no damage to the hospitality infrastructure of the city has been reported. Hotels are expected to reopen later this week.