Green Meetings

The Green movement in the lodging and convention industry has been a very hot topic of discussion for the last few years. Now, people cannot stop talking about and discussing Green Meetings.

Meetings and events are a big business in the hotel industry, accounting for over 40% of total revenue. Some current highlights from the Market Metrix Hospitality Index share that anything from the facility layout and quality of food to the attitude of the staff can make or break the success of the event and impact the future business for that location.

According to the Global Hospitality Insights Report by Ernst & Young,

“Green practices will become a requirement to doing business in the hospitality industry particularly as the cost of renewable energy continues to increase, and those companies with the philosophy revolving around green practices will have the strongest opportunity of achieving a ‘sustainable’ competitive edge.”

The trend in business meetings has been to lean more towards local, smaller, and more cost effective. They are searching to find facilities offering the 3 R’s (reduce, reuse, recycle) philosophy, capabilities for virtual or remote attendance, and assist in sustainable practices.

I think the best description I could find for a description of Green Meetings is defined as “a meeting that incorporates environmental conditions throughout all stages of the meeting in order to minimize the negative impact on the environment.”

Greening an event encompasses all aspects of this planning process. Everything from making choices on sites (whether Hotel or Convention Center) that offer:

• Condiment servings in bulk containers
• Minimizing the waste through composting
• Use of real dish ware and cloth napkins
• High tech video and media equipment for virtual meetings (especially since meeting attendance will drop considerably in the coming year)
• Recycling locations within the event space and out in common areas
• Using product made of recycled content
• Offering handouts on thumb drives or on a website, or at least print on 2 sides of recycled paper
• Sites that buy local food and contribute leftovers

Please look forward to another article that is focused on the ‘attendee side” for Green Meetings.

Five quick & easy ways to Green Your Meeting:

• Reduce Waste
• Plan to Recycle
• Conserve Energy - Reduce Traffic
• Food Service & Lodging
• Buy Earth-Friendly Products

Click HERE for details on these simple ways to “Green Your Meetings”!

One of the newest websites specifically focusing on this hot topic and industry concern is http://greenmeetings.usfi.com a sister site of USFI/Greenworks (a company that provides eco-friendly products to the lodging market.

Interesting Green Facts:

• Americans use 85,000,000 tons of paper a year; or about 680 pounds per person.
• Paper made with 100% recycled content uses 44% less energy, produces 38% less greenhouse gas emissions, 41% less particulate emissions, 50% less waste water, 49% less solid waste and uses 100% less wood.
• The United States is not the largest per-capita consumer of energy on the planet, though it does consume 7,794.8 kilograms of oil (or equivalent) per year.

Here are a few links I have found very helpful and full of great ideas on Green Meetings:

• greenmeetings.usfi.com – Offers products, solutions and information to radically enhance the earth-friendliness and cost-effectiveness of your business meetings and conferences.


• www.greenmeetingsdirectory.com – Offer individual properties the opportunity to connect
  with meeting planners and focus on sustainability


• www.meetingstrategiesworldwide.com – a site full of information on green meeting links, tips, myths, and choosing locations, carbon offsets, etc.


• www.hotelnewsresource.com/pdf8/e_y120408.pdf - Global insights report on “Hospitality Going Green” by Ernst & Young
  

Redesign, Refurbish, Recreate!

The new 3 R's:

Redesign, Refurbish, Recreate!

Thinking out of the box in creating refreshed spaces can be a bit challenging these days, especially if your budget is a little bit tighter. If you think about it, there is an abundance of possibilities if you are open to being a little more eclectic and ok with a little wear or history on the items... and yes this is a style!

This craze is basically creating new spaces out of old things. That’s right, flea market finds and consignment store searches! This eclectic or nostalgic style can encourage a true uniqueness in the space and depending on the piece, say an antique, can really encourage conversation. There is one caveat though, its all in how the pieces are put together that pulls it off.

This can work for both residential and commercial spaces. I have seen stunning tables and chairs that are perfect for a small conference table and leather desk chairs that some couldn’t afford brand new, but for pennies on the dollar, they are great finds.

Look for an additional article that will have pictures

of our latest project in McCall using the 3 R's!

Here are a few books we love with more information on this style:

Inspiring Outdoor Living Spaces

Get Inspired... Outside!

Its August, already! I did NOT want to see this beautiful time of summer pass by without highlighting one of my favorite spaces. I get most inspired in the great outdoors, but sometimes I have to be in doors and just look out! It is so important to create those inspiring spaces where you can do both at the same time - indoor/outdoor living or working.

When I acquired our office building in downtown Boise a few years ago, we had a small gravel 2 stall parking area behind the building. It just didn’t make as much sense to maintain that space as parking when there were several other great alternatives. This space seemed to have such high potential for something better! And that it is - we get so much use out of our “zen” courtyard including: employee lunches, staff gatherings, client meetings, etc.

Here are a few photos of our patio I thought you might like:

I especially like the view from my desk in my office:

So... Just imagine the waterfall softly flowing and the birds chirping around the bamboo trees…ahh! And Yes, I do actually get work done in this space... it is my most inspirational spot!

Some materials that I think are mandatory to make a balanced outdoor space are:

• Natural Stone or Rock
• Lush Live Plants
• Metal of some sort
• Wood Element
• Water
• Fire is an Option
• Easy access to inside and out (preferably large openings)
• Lighting for Accent (preferably solar or another sustainable source)
  
  It doesn't always have to be a big space either - you can create a big feel in a little space almost anywhere!

Here are some other outdoor relaxation and inspiring spaces I really like!

photo courtesy of hgtv.com

On this Brooklyn rooftop, beach-style plantings surround informal furniture creating naturalistic boundaries between neighboring buildings.

Photo Courtesy of Western Art & Architecture Magazine

photo courtesy of hgtv.com

The telescoping pocket door that disappears into the wall provides seamless transition from indoor to outdoor. When entertaining bring out some indoor furniture and plants, even some lamps, to give it a cozy feel.

Photo Courtesy of Kieffer Design Group

Photo Courtesy of Western Art & Architecture Magazine