Meeting News - December 3, 2007 - (Page 25)

It’s easy being green nvironmentalism is in the spotlight these days—and the meetings industry has rapidly taken notice. Hotels and convention centers are implementing and promoting green building design, manufacturers are offering reduced-impact and recycled products, and vendors are offering goods and services to help our meetings become more environmentally sound. E At first blush, it may seem overwhelming to add green practices into an already complicated meetings agenda; myths certainly abound regarding the costs and time involved. However, I’ve quickly dis- Join me… Successful Meetings University – Southeast February 24-26, 2008 Hyatt Regency Atlanta Exhibitors Aberdeen Woods Conference Center • Atlanta CVB • Augusta Metro CVB • Beau Rivage Resort & Casino • Callaway Gardens • Carolina First Center • Charleston Area CVB • Chateau Elan Resort • Colonial Williamsburg • Columbia Metropolitan CVB • Gatlinburg Department of Tourism • Gaylord Opryland Hotel • Georgia Aquarium • Georgia International Convention Center • Greater Birmingham CVB • Greater Raleigh CVB • Greensboro Area CVB • Greenville County CVB • Hilton Head Island VCB • Hyatt Regency Atlanta • King and Prince Beach & Golf Resort • Kingston Plantation • Knoxville Tourism & Sports Corporation • Louisville CVB • Marina Inn at Grande Dunes • Memphis CVB • Mobile CVB • Myrtle Beach Area CVB • Myrtle Beach Convention Center • New Orleans CVB • Norfolk CVB • Northern Kentucky CVB • Savannah CVB • The Sea Pines Resort • Sea Trail Resort • Sheraton Atlanta • Sheraton Myrtle Beach • Virginia Beach CVB • Visit Charlotte • Washington Duke Inn & Golf Club Visit our Successful Meetings University Website, www.MeetingNews.com/SMU, for the latest information about these programs, and feel free to e-mail any questions about the events to emily.lewis@nielsen.com. We’re expecting to hear from you! covered that turning your meeting into a green event is less complicated and pricey than it may initially appear. In fact, green meetings are not only healthy for the environment and make a positive statement about your event, but they can actually save time and money. Like many of you, I’m launching my own strategies for greener meetings. Beginning with our Successful Meetings University – Southeast event in Atlanta this February, I’ll have recycling bins on hand for name-badge holders, lanyards, papers, and bottles. I’ll also be using recycled paper for all attendee materials, as well as reducing paper need by double-sided printing. Extra food will be donated to a local food bank, and I’m mindful to make extra-accurate headcounts in order to minimize food and paper waste. Our host property, the Hyatt Regency Atlanta, already has wonderful green initiatives in place, including extensive recycling and energy conservation programs. Of course, planning green meetings is a multitiered process, so I’m starting off slow and steady. The end goal is to have green practices incorporated into every stage of our boutique trade shows. Here are several simple strategies planners can utilize to begin the green process: G Check to see if the host property has a towel and sheet reuse program, an energy efficiency program, and a water conservation program. G Develop a few green criteria in your RFPs for convention centers, accommodations, food and beverage, exhibitors, and transportation. For example, donate excess food and beverage to a local food bank. G Provide recycling areas on the exhibit floor, which will also save on garbage-hauling fees. G Inform attendees of green practices and embed them in your contract. Of course, there’s plenty more we can do to reduce the negative effects our meetings have on the environment, but even the smallest efforts can yield big results. H — Emily Lewis Emily Lewis plans meetings for meeting planners—no easy task! She is the conference manager for MeetingNews and sister magazine Successful Meetings, organizing multiple Successful Meetings University events across the country each year. Planner Emily Lewis Destination Update: Atlanta Action-packed Atlanta will be home to Successful Meetings University – Southeast, being held Feb. 24-26 at the Hyatt Regency Atlanta. New attractions and entertainment options are making this city even more enticing than before. In May, the World of Coca-Cola debuted in its new location beside the Georgia Aquarium, which is undergoing an expansion of its own. The renowned facility will increase its event space by more than 7,000 sf, including private meeting rooms and tasting areas. The popular winter-themed attraction Stone Mountain has also been expanded; it offers a bevy of group activities, such as skiing, tubing, and ice skating, as well as a ropes course, a paddlewheel riverboat, and a laser light show. www.meetingnews.com December 3, 2007 MeetingNews 25 http://www.mimegasite.com/mimegasite/events/marketplace.jsp http://www.MeetingNews.com/SMU http://www.meetingnews.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Meeting News - December 3, 2007

Meeting News - December 3, 2007
Contents
What’s Up @ MeetingNews.com
MN Webcast Report
Successful Meetings University
Advertisers Index
Live from the Forum

Meeting News - December 3, 2007