Blog Action Day

Today is Blog Action Day and we're joining in with a blog about events and the environment. Green event planning can be a weighty subject, but not new to RTP staff. For years many of us have employed recycling practices at our events, requesting recyclable paper, plastic or china/silverware serviceware, donating leftover food to shelters and food banks, regifting unused SWAG to shelters and foster care organizations, recycling namebadges, and using local food products and mass transit whenever possible. Increasingly, all conference communications are electronic and we've reduced the amount of paper used for on-site collateral. What's good for the environment, local economy and society, is often good for business, as well. Please share your green meeting and event practices here! Here are some additional resources:

Lots of great resources here:
http://www.cerc04.org/resources/overview.html

Guidelines from the Convention Industry Council

http://www.conventionindustry.org/projects/green_mtgs.htm

Quick Meeting Greening How-To:
http://www.sustainableindustries.com/commentary/2096972.html

Did you know we have a Green Convention Center right here in the PNW?
http://www.travelportland.com/meeting_planners/green_meetings/

Selection of Green Vendors in the PNW
http://www.nwmeetings.com/ME2/Audiences/dirmod.asp?sid=&nm=&type=Publishing&mod=Publications%3A%3AArticle&mid=8F3A7027421841978F18BE895F87F791&tier=4&id=5A33BDB9DC3842B1A4CB217AB3C21CA8&AudID=05BC73880A5F4121B43E646FD823C082

For hotels:
http://www.hotel-online.com/News/PR2007_3rd/Sept07_EasyGreen.html

Seattle Banquet and Event Show

The 2008 NW edition of the Banquet and Event Guide is out. Guide staff reports that all the same advertisers are back, as well as some new ones. Our staff went to the Banquet and Event show last week at the Seattle Convention Center. Not much new but always good to see our vendors and friends, network, sample the yummy catering and ogle the buff firefighters autographing their latest calendar to benefit the Burn Foundation www.firefightercalendar.com.

Some new and favorites we saw include Acalia, an airy event space at the foot of Queen Anne in a former restaurant, by FOODZ Catering (Open House Oct. 18). And how about Pravada Studios for a cozy holiday party NYC loft style? Further south, Take Off Events offers a helicopter hangar at Renton Municipal Airport for events, including the helicopters as décor or providing rides. Also down that way is the Spirit of Washington Event Center. They do mostly weddings and parties, but they can curtain a good portion of the extensive glass windows for presentations.

We have always found Porter’s Place BBQ to be the least expensive BBQ (his mom is Dixie’s BBQ in Bellevue) and they are so nice. How about a mobile pizza oven? Wood fired pizzas from this crazy looking contraption, and your group can make their own pizzas, to be cooked in this oven on wheels. www.infernocatering.com The Ben and Jerry’s ice cream truck would be an excellent summer picnic alternative to the usual Schwan’s truck or pushcarts. Wine anyone? Love those custom engraved wine bottles from Fresh Northwest Design. Get your wine from Richard Kinssies’ Wine Outlet, and have the bartenders from Pour Girls and Some Guys serve it! Liquid catering with spirit!

We liked the food, presentation and staff at On Safari Foods, the panini box lunches at Gourmondo Catering, and the desserts to die for at Bakery Nouveau in West Seattle. Chef and owner William Leaman was there sampling, and is as sweet as his pastries. As always, Tom Douglas Catering was the tastiest! Totally Tabletops has very fun banquet rentals - china, silverware and glassware - for smaller groups.

Our buddy Sandra Cook is now Director of Sales at the Sorrento Hotel in Seattle. A fine stately hotel, we’ll have to stop by for tea in the fireside, served daily 3-5 pm and beginning Nov. 23, served from Noon-5 pm. Dickens Carolers will begin Dec. 1 from 6-7:30 pm. A visit to this lovely hotel would be a treat for your mom, visiting in-laws, or as an anniversary package. Contact Sandra.cook@hotelsorrento.com and tell her RTP sent you!
For entertainment and a memento guests take home, we still love the classic photo booths and the Dance Heads.