Going Green - June/July 2010

First Paperless Convention At PCC
From May 1–5, the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) held the first paperless convention at the state-of-the-art expanding Pennsylvania Convention Center (opening in March 2011). All meeting content was accessible via the iPod touch. Philadelphia Mayor Michael A. Nutter (pictured center) stopped by to learn more about how AANS went green. Joining Mayor Nutter (from left) Ahmeenah Young, president & CEO, Pennsylvania Convention Center Authority; Troy Tippett MD., president, AANS; Thomas A. Marshall, executive director, AANS; Jack Ferguson, executive vice president/incoming president, Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau. www.PhiladelphiaUSA.travel/green

San Diego Convention Center Receives 2010 Recycler of the Year Award. The San Diego Convention Center Corporation (SDCCC) was selected by the City of San Diego to receive a 2010 Recycler of the Year Award. The award is part of the city’s 18th Annual Waste Reduction and Recycling Award Program honoring businesses that have implemented successful waste reduction, reuse, recycling and recycled product procurement programs. The Convention Center, along with other award winners, was honored by Mayor Jerry Sanders on April 21 at SeaWorld. “As one of the nation’s leading convention facilities, the San Diego Convention Center takes its role as a green industry leader seriously,” said Brad Gessner, SDCCC general manager (pictured left holding the award next to Mayor Sanders). “We take pride in our commitment to preserving the earth’s natural resources in our hometown and are honored to be recognized for our efforts by the City of San Diego.” www.visitsandiego.com

IACC’s Code of Sustainability Enjoys Increasing Member Support. Lois Berg, chair of International

Photo by The Conference Center at NorthPointe

Association of Conference Centres’ (IACC) sustainability committee (director of administrative services at The Johnson Foundation Inc. at Wingspread Conference Center), recently reported a dramatic increase in members that signed up to support the rigorous Code of Sustainability while demonstrating their commitment to sustainable practices in nine areas: education and awareness, waste management, recycling, reuse, water conservation, purchasing, energy management, air quality and food & beverage. According to Berg, 89 members signed up in support of the Code of Sustainability after its introduction in May 2009. Members are required to renew annually, and 109 member properties have signed on so far in 2010. Among new signers to the Code of Sustainability is The Conference Center at NorthPointe in Lewis Center, OH (above), which won Silver Tier status. www.iacconline.org/education/index.cfm?fuseaction=environmental