RockResorts launches a new green meetings initiative for corporate travel

Read more about: business travel, carbon, corporate travel, cuisine, meeting, National Forest Foundation, organic, recycling, resorts, RockResorts, Vail Resorts

RockResorts, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Vail Resorts, is showing meeting planners that it really IS easy being green. With nine resorts in iconic locations from Vail, Colo., to St. Lucia in the West Indies, the company is a natural choice for meeting planners who want to access premier meeting facilities while engaging their groups in the beauty of their surrounding environment offering the full complement for a green meeting or event. With the roll-out of a more formal green meetings program, groups at RockResorts can better appreciate and preserve the environment inside the conference room and out.

From e-brochures and paperless check-in procedures to organic cuisine, RockResorts has made it easier than ever for planners to support or host environmentally-friendly meetings. To assist meeting planners and attendees in reducing the environmental footprint of their meetings, RockResorts launched a carbon calculator on their Web site (www.rockresorts.com) that allows planners to determine the impact their meeting attendees will have on the environment, including the transportation, lodging and details of the event itself.

The luxury resort company has in place “green” service standards that are required of each meeting or event regardless of additional choices made by the meeting or event planner. These “environmental automatics,” include recycling and waste reduction programs, using organic, local and other sustainable food and beverage products whenever possible, and focusing on energy and water conserving fixtures. RockResorts catering and conference service staff are prepared to assist meeting coordinators by making recommendations for sustainable decorations and meeting props, sustainable transportation options, low-impact meeting support and marketing documents, reusable signage, donation of event decor such as plants and flowers, and contribution of food and other products to local nonprofits and food banks.

“There are so many opportunities with an event or meeting where the overall experience can be enhanced by choosing environmental features, while also saving the event planner and meeting attendees money and time,” said Julie Klein, director of environmental affairs for RockResorts. To ensure meeting planners are aware of possibilities, we are here to offer assistance by creating service standards and options that allow them to know their event is having less of an impact than if they hosted it elsewhere.”

Acknowledging the added value of fresh foods and tastes of the region are a perfect complement to any event or meeting, the company’s Appetite for Life sustainable cuisine program is integrated into in all the company’s restaurants and catering efforts. Elements of this program include use of organic and natural meats, sustainable seafood, seasonal produce, organic wines and other beverages, and use of local purveyors. Meeting planners will be encouraged to work with RockResorts catering teams to create menus that take full advantage to the Appetite for Life program while satisfying the individual needs of their group.

To take it to the great outdoors, planners have options to support local conservation projects through RockResorts’ partnership with the National Forest Foundation or supporting nonprofit. As a group activity, conference attendees can participate in a project such as a trail restoration or similar volunteer experience in the resort area they are visiting.

To view the RockResorts carbon calculator, visit http://rockresorts.com/info/env.asp.

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