Greening the Hospitality Industry

I just returned from Portland, OR where I attended an awesome conference about changing the way we plan events through environmental practices. Greening the Hospitality Industry is a large task but the people gathered at this event were filled with passion and fabulous ideas. The collection of brilliant people in the event planning industry was inspiring. The ideas that were shared and built upon will have an enormous impact on the industry and ultimately on the planet. All facets of the industry were represented. Unfortunately there were only 100 people attending. There should have been three times the number. By the way, Portland is the number one "green destination" on the planet. Visit Portland Oregon Visitors Association for more information on this facinating City.

My biggest surprise was to see several people from Las Vegas. LV was represented by the Convention and Visitors Authority, the University of Nevada, the hotel/casino industry - MGM Mirage and Mandalay Bay and the Big Springs preservation organization. If Las Vegas can become an environmental destination for meetings and events, then any place can. Kudos to the LV contention.

The host of the event was Green Meeting Industry Council. The event planners for this conference was Meeting Strategies Worldwide. They have been producing green meetings and events for many years. Kudos to all the women from these two groups who's passion and experience were weaved throughout the conference.

This is the new wave of energy and the new way of doing business. If you are not thinking about making some enviromental changes now, you will be left behind! Come on Event and Meeting Planners, join the ever-changing landscape of green techniques and trends. Become a member of GMIC now! And join us at the next conference. Stay tuned for more..............