Meeting News - February 11, 2008 - (Page 39)

Kick-start eco-friendly initiatives Join me… Successful Meetings University – Southeast Date: February 24-26, 2008 Property: Hyatt Regency Atlanta T he number of hotels and convention centers establishing green meeting and operational policies is growing, and there’s no doubt that interest from meeting planners is having a direct impact. EL: What is the one key element that meeting planners should put in place to help make their meetings more eco-friendly? Planner Emily Lewis LW: If I had to provide just one key element, my advice would be to decide on the best initiative (whether it’s recycling, water conservation, etc.) that makes sense to your goals and objectives as well as your company’s overall mission. r —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. Exhibitors Atlanta CVB • Atlanta's Gwinnett CVB • Augusta CVB • Beau Rivage Resort & Casino • Callaway Gardens • Carolina First Center • Charleston Area CVB • Chateau Elan Resort • Gatlinburg Department of Tourism • Gaylord Opryland Hotel • Georgia Aquarium • Georgia International Convention Center • Grand Hotel Marriott Resort, Golf Club & Spa • Greater Birmingham CVB • Greater Raleigh CVB • Greensboro Area CVB • Greenville CVB • Hilton Head Island VCB • Hilton Myrtle Beach • 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 Bay CVB • Myrtle Beach Area CVB • Myrtle Beach Convention Center • New Orleans CVB • Norfolk CVB • Northern Kentucky CVB • Peabody Hotel, Memphis • PRA Destination Management • Renaissance Riverview Plaza Hotel • Savannah CVB • The Sea Pines Resort • Sea Trail Resort • Sheraton Atlanta • Sheraton Myrtle Beach Convention Center Hotel • Virginia Beach CVB • Visit Charlotte • Visit Williamsburg • Washington Duke Inn & Golf Club To help planners implement eco-friendly initiatives, I’ve asked Loriann White—executive director of the Atlanta Green Meetings Council (AGMC), and regional vice president of ConferenceDirect—to speak at our upcoming Successful Meetings – Southeast event, to be held Feb. 24-26 at the Hyatt Regency Atlanta. White’s session, entitled “Green Meetings 101: Ten Proven Steps to a Sustainable Meeting,” will inform attendees on how to incorporate environmental considerations throughout all stages of the meetings process. Below, White discusses the AGMC’s activities and offers advice for eco-friendly meetings. Emily Lewis: What is the AGMC, and how and why was it formed? Loriann White: The AGMC was formed in June 2007 out of the desire to learn and grow as meetings and hospitality professionals in terms of planning, producing, and promoting environmentally and socially responsible meetings and special events. Basically, the AGMC is a solid green resource, where planners can get concrete answers, like a checklist, eco-friendly RFP, or even an actual green addendum for pre-existing contracts. EL: What exciting projects are the AGMC currently working on? LW: We are partnering with the Atlanta Community Food Bank and Atlanta’s Table by incorporating food and beverage clauses into contracts to donate unconsumed food to local food banks and shelters. We also organize and coordinate community projects, such as Project Open Hand, where Council members and colleagues will gather to prepare and serve food for shelters and Meals On Wheels. Associations—such as the Georgia Society of Association Executives (GSAE) and Christian Meeting and Convention Association (CMCA)—have requested green guidance and assistance from the council. We’re also working in conjunction with several universities to create and develop a green-oriented continuing education certificate program. Destination Update: Atlanta Action-packed Atlanta will be home to Successful Meetings University – Southeast, to be held Feb. 24-26 at the Hyatt Regency Atlanta. Attending planners will be treated to lunch at Georgia Georgia Aquarium International Convention Center and a visit to Atlantic Station, a modern, mixed-use district with 2 million sf of retail and entertainment space. An evening reception will be staged at the world-renowned Georgia Aquarium, whose Oceans Ballroom offers views of whale shark and beluga whale habitats and features cuisine by Wolfgang Puck Catering. 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! www.meetingnews.com February 11, 2008 MeetingNews 39 http://www.mimegasite.com/mimegasite/events/marketplace.jsp http://www.mimegasite.com/mimegasite/events/marketplace.jsp http://www.mimegasite.com/mimegasite/events/marketplace.jsp http://www.MeetingNews.com/SMU http://www.meetingnews.com

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Meeting News - February 11, 2008 Contents What’s Up @ MeetingNews.com Convention Centers Insider Report: Insurance Meetings MN Webcast Report Successful Meetings University Colin Rorrie to Temporarily Lead CIC Advertisers Index Live from the Forum

Meeting News - February 11, 2008

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