Day Two of GMIC Conference

On the steps of the Capitol Building in Denver, right at the point where we were one mile above sea level.
Well Day Two has come to a close and everyone who attended the 2010 GMIC Conference is making their way home hopefully to put into practice all that they have learned.

My goal in attending the conference was to re-energize my passion and commitment for green meetings and to make connections. I did accomplish those goals and will return home with a renewed sense of purpose.

As Annie Leonard said, we have to make changes in the way we live our lives. Lets make that change!

J

Day One at the GMIC Conference

Well, day one is behind me at the GMIC Conference in Denver. The event opened with a keynote from Annie Leonard who was fabulous! If you don't know who Annie is, she created "The Story of Stuff" and she is a great speaker and so passionate. Really enjoyed her presentation.

I attended quite a few sessions and met alot of interesting people. I had a great time at lunch visiting with Stephanie Shrewsbury from the University of Kentucky. They are busy getting ready for the World Equestrian Games and really working hard at greening the event. I wish them the best of luck!

I also met Jan Tolle MacDonald from Travel Alberta. She is the Regional Manager for the US Midwest and she is such a nice person. She took a liking to my Olympic lanyard with the Canadian flag on it, so I made a deal that I would trade it for something from her tomorrow before the end of the conference.

Connections and networking.....that is the name of the game! Now I am resting up for a full day tomorrow. I may even get to do a little site seeing!

J

Look out Denver, here I come!

Tomorrow morning, I leave for Denver for the GMIC Sustainable Meetings Conference

I always leave the conference inspired and motivated and I am sure that the 2010 conference will not disappoint me. Being surrounded by like minded people who share a passion for the green meeting industry is a great way to start off 2010.

I will definitely share my thoughts when I return.

J

Ignite Magazine has great ideas!

I was just reading my Ignite Meeting and Incentive Magazine and they always have such great ideas. I am always looking for ways to make guests feel special, but I want to make sure that I am being "green" at the same time. The latest issue of Ignite Magazine has a great suggestion. Use the hotel voicemail system to leave a personalized greeting for your conference attendee's. You can pass along a greeting or provide instructions, such as a reminder about the welcome reception. You can carry this one step further by having your keynote speaker leave the message.

I think this is a great idea and another example of how you show that hospitality isn't about things, it is about actions. Thanks to Ignite Magazine for that great idea!

J

BP Safety Stand Down Day Dawson Creek - a Green Event

What a great event!

Over 625 people in attendance which could have meant bags and bags of garbage from this event. Instead, there were over 20 pounds of coffee grounds composted, the food scrapings went to the bear sanctuary, the pens left on the tables were taken to the high school, and paper and plastic was recycled. Hats off to the catering staff at the Event Centre for working hard so that we could make this a green event. Thanks!