14 June Making Green Meetings Easy for the Customer & the Conference Planner

14 June

3 Voluntary All Sectors of Tourism Consumer-Involved

14 June

5 The Core Activities: “Required” Optional Linen Service Recycling Water Conservation Energy Conservation Green Conferences, Meetings, and Events But facilities are encouraged to, “Do Their Own Thing!” How Does the Program Work?

14 June How Does the Program Work?

14 June $$ Cost-Saving $$ Ideas! Lots of Great…

14 June 2016 By The Numbers… 585Lodging 180Attractions 59Conference Centers 3Convention Centers 237Restaurants 42 Supporting Organizations 33 Visitor Centers 4 Breweries 19 Wineries 372 Green Events/Festivals 75VG Suppliers TOTAL = 1605 !

Major Announcement 14 June Virginia is a Green Travel Destination!

14 June

14 June 2016  Virginia Green participants… billion gallons reduced water usage million pounds reduced CO2 emissions - 16,000 tons reduced/recycled solid wastes million kwh electricity reduced tcf of natural gas use reduced - Environmental Benefits

14 June 2016  Annual Cost Savings: - $650,000 reduced waste management - $11.2 million from reduced water usage - $13.1 million from reduced natural gas use - $35 million in energy savings  $60 million in cost savings! 3 Financial Benefits

14 June 2016 Conferences, Meetings & Events Green Travel Packages & Trip Plans Consumer Engagement Regional Partnerships Focus on Increased Business & Profitability

14 June What Do Participants “Get”…?

14 June 2016 Consumer Engagement & Continuous Improvement

14 June Focus on the Green Consumers

14 June

14 June Virginia Green Meetings, Events & Festivals!

14 June Green Meetings

14 June Green Meetings

14 June Announcing the Virginia Green Travel Alliance! In support of Green Tourism in Virginia

“NEXT LEVEL” Focus Areas: Expanded Consumer Marketing & Partner Engagement Training & Certifications Environmental Benefits & Projects Expanded Technical Assistance 14 June

14 June

14 June NEXT LEVEL Regional Partnerships Virginia Beach Richmond Abingdon Harrisonburg Norfolk Chesapeake Coastal Virginia Tourism Alliance Others: Williamsburg, Dulles, Clifton Forge, Alexandria, Blacksburg. Recruitment Goals Workshops / Expos Referrals Education Networking & referrals

14 June

14 June NEXT LEVEL: Staff Training & Verification Services

NEXT LEVEL Pilot Projects 14 June

NEXT LEVEL Projects 14 June

14 June NEXT LEVEL Partnerships

Announcing the Virginia Green Travel Alliance! In support of Green Tourism in Virginia Expanded Consumer Marketing & Partner Engagement Training & Certifications Environmental Projects Expanded Technical Assistance 14 June NEXT LEVEL: Festivals & Events

14 June

14 June NEXT LEVEL: Festivals & Events

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14 June Green Meetings & Conferences State & Federal Executive Orders Corporate Social Responsibility ASAE Green Convene MPI / APEX Standards Virginia Green makes it easy.

14 June Green Meetings & Conferences

14 June Greening Your Meeting or Event! Choose a green venue Recycling (composting?) Disposables Vendors & Catering Sustainable, organic, local Signage Transportation Track results/impacts

Go get that Green Meeting Business! Highlight Green Meetings in your Sales Materials. Use Virginia Green logo Link to Virginia Green profile or include Develop your own list of green practices Create a Green Meetings Menu: What is standard? What is optional? Seek out those green meeting RFP’s Green in proposals will “get” business that wasn’t even thinking that way! 14 June

Responding to Green RFP’s…. Virginia Green profile should make it easy. Hard questions could include: Calculating your carbon impacts Recycling rate? Third party auditing of your program 14 June

Now That You’ve Got The Business – WOW Them! Highly-visible operational efforts in place: Recycling Systems Optional Linen / Housekeeping Energy & Water Saving Features Thermostats, Lighting, etc Optional Newspaper Mass transit opportunities 14 June

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Now That You’ve Got The Business – WOW Them! Propose a simple Meeting Plan that has several highly visible green options: Sustainable / local out options Local beverages No disposables Reusable water/beverage containers Composting of food wastes Additional outings to other green venues Green volunteer activities Follow Through on Green Promises! 14 June

NEXT LEVEL Projects 14 June

14 June NEXT LEVEL Partnerships

EXTRA CREDIT! Bee hives on roof Herb garden on-site Food donation Demonstration solar project Storm-/rain-water collection systems Electric Vehicle Charging Shared date on recycling, water, and energy trends Soap collection / recycling Carbon calculation for your conference Option to purchase Renewable Energy Credits! 14 June

14 June Renewable Energy Credits

The Do’s and Don’ts of Green Meetings Water bottles Polystyrene Balloons Printing Donations Vendors / Exhibitors Centerpieces Compostables Recycling containers Nametags Bottles, cans, draft Disposable / Reusable Linens 14 June

What do put in the Green RFP? Require: Virginia Green certified and logo posting of certification Description of Recycling Systems in place Confirmation that “optional linen program” is in place and that staff is trained in process No polystyrene in rooms or in meeting spaces, etc. Optional newspaper service Ask for… Sustainable, organic, or local food and beverage choices Is composting of food wastes an option? Mass / green transit options to / during the event Greenhouse gas / REC options? Water in pitchers (avoid lots of water bottles) Recycling during vendor set up and break down Other green-certified restaurants and attractions nearby? Current recycling rate and expected results from proposed meeting 14 June 2016

QUIZ TIME! 1. What is the most important part of running a green conference? a. All of the food is organic b. Every recyclable is recycled c. Staff is committed to green practices d. No bottled water 14 June

QUIZ TIME! 2. Which green practice really WOWS a green-savvy traveler / conference goer? a. Electric vehicle charging b. Well-marked recycling containers in room and conference spaces c. Composting of food wastes during the conference d. Relationships with nearby green restaurants e. Signage about green practices and programs 14 June

QUIZ TIME! 3. What brings repeat business? a. Green food b. Edible flowers c. Eliminate all napkins d. Exceeding the expectations of the green-minded traveler e. Making it easy for the green conference planner! 14 June

QUIZ TIME! 4. What practices really upset a green-savvy traveler? a. Polystyrene cups b. No visible recycling containers c. Wasteful practices in bathrooms, rooms, etc. d. Changing towels and linens when they were trying to save them for reuse. e. Receiving a newspaper when they don’t want one. f. Inefficient and uncontrolled HVAC. 14 June

14 June Making Green Meetings Easy for the Customer & the Conference Planner