1. 14 June 2016 1 Making Green Meetings Easy for the Customer & the Conference Planner

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3. 3 Voluntary All Sectors of Tourism Consumer-Involved

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5. 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?

6. 14 June 2016 6 How Does the Program Work?

7. 14 June 2016 7 $$ Cost-Saving $$ Ideas! Lots of Great…

8. 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 !

9. Major Announcement 14 June 2016 9 Virginia is a Green Travel Destination!

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11. 14 June 2016  1550+ Virginia Green participants… - 1.1 billion gallons reduced water usage - 262 million pounds reduced CO2 emissions - 16,000 tons reduced/recycled solid wastes - 350 million kwh electricity reduced - 1.3 tcf of natural gas use reduced - Environmental Benefits

12. 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

13. 14 June 2016 Conferences, Meetings & Events Green Travel Packages & Trip Plans Consumer Engagement Regional Partnerships Focus on Increased Business & Profitability

14. 14 June 2016 14 What Do Participants “Get”…?

15. 14 June 2016 Consumer Engagement & Continuous Improvement

16. 14 June 2016 16 Focus on the Green Consumers

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18. 14 June 2016 18 Virginia Green Meetings, Events & Festivals!

19. 14 June 2016 19 Green Meetings

20. 14 June 2016 20 Green Meetings

21. 14 June 2016 21 Announcing the Virginia Green Travel Alliance! In support of Green Tourism in Virginia

22. “NEXT LEVEL” Focus Areas: Expanded Consumer Marketing & Partner Engagement Training & Certifications Environmental Benefits & Projects Expanded Technical Assistance 14 June 2016 22

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24. 14 June 2016 24 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

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26. 14 June 2016 26 NEXT LEVEL: Staff Training & Verification Services

27. NEXT LEVEL Pilot Projects 14 June 2016 27

28. NEXT LEVEL Projects 14 June 2016 28

29. 14 June 2016 29 NEXT LEVEL Partnerships

30. 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 2016 30 NEXT LEVEL: Festivals & Events

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32. 14 June 2016 32 NEXT LEVEL: Festivals & Events

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34. 14 June 2016 34 Green Meetings & Conferences State & Federal Executive Orders Corporate Social Responsibility ASAE Green Convene MPI / APEX Standards Virginia Green makes it easy.

35. 14 June 2016 35 Green Meetings & Conferences

36. 14 June 2016 36 Greening Your Meeting or Event! Choose a green venue Recycling (composting?) Disposables Vendors & Catering Sustainable, organic, local Signage Transportation Track results/impacts

37. 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 2016 37

38. 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 2016 38

39. 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 2016 39

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41. 14 June 2016 41 x

42. 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 2016 42

43. NEXT LEVEL Projects 14 June 2016 43

44. 14 June 2016 44 NEXT LEVEL Partnerships

45. 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 2016 45

46. 14 June 2016 46 Renewable Energy Credits

47. 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 2016 47

48. 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

49. 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 2016 49

50. 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 2016 50

51. 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 2016 51

52. 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 2016 52

53. 14 June 2016 53 Making Green Meetings Easy for the Customer & the Conference Planner