Thank You

For all you have done over the past year to make this planet a better place in the face of tough economic times, relentless politics and uncomfortable change!

Great Way to Start the Day!

There is almost nothing better than talking to an engaged group of students about sustainable meeting practices! That is just how my morning started. Tyra Hilliard (early advocate of green meetings and the Green Meeting Industry Council) asked me to present to her class at the University of Alabama. Using skype and webcams from my office in Oregon, I could see the entire class and they could see me. The technology allowed us to interact without any of us getting on an airplane--no greenhouse gas emissions required.

The students were young, energetic and interested in learning. Change may not be as difficult for them as it can be for people twice their age--like me. As these students move into the world they will be bringing forward new ways of doing business. Their thoughtful questions lead me to believe it will be a more sustainable way. They are the future of meetings.

Go TIDE!!!!

Get Off The Bottle

Multnomah County, where we are headquartered, has voted to ban bottled water from its meetings and functions. Hooray! http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2010/10/multnomah_county_becomes_first.html

Extra bonus: it will save $20,000 - $30,000 per year which is desperately needed for other services in our area. Good thinking!

What could your local government save on this one simple green meeting policy?

The Definition of Insanity

Roger Dow, President of the US Travel Association, recently talked about threats to the industry and was quoted as saying, "No concern could be greater than environmental policy that discourages people from traveling to cut down on carbon dioxide emissions."
http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2010/oct/26/travel-expert-environmental-policies-could-be-tour/#comments

He goes on to say, "They (environmentalists) aren't as concerned about how travel works for the economy than they are about reducing carbon emmissions."

Seriously? Where has this guy been? Perhaps he doesn't believe our hospitality industry is full of passionate, committed professionals who understand there is room in the world for both good business AND air to breath. We are, in fact, wildly creative people working very diligently on the future of meetings and travel. The world has shifted, our industry is changing and we are responding.


"Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result." Albert Einstein

Cast Your Vote for Planet Earth

For those of you in the United States, when you vote today for either candidates or ballot measures make sure they support the entire triple bottom line...environment, economy AND social issues. Without all three of these, our future is not sustainable.

Thank you!