Simply Mumtaz reports in on Day 2.1 at the GMIC 2011 Conference

Hi there! Day Two. Wow, what a wonderful day - thus far! This is the early afternoon issue.

We wanted to first report in on Travel Portland... they presented a ridiculously great and fun video on Green Meetings in Portland. Here's the link! Click on the top left video - "Mon Assemblee Vert".

Next, we also wanted to show you the wonderful video that was presented by the Portland Doubletree and their greening initiatives within the hotel itself. Here's where to go get it... Click on the video on the right tool bar that is listed as The Power of Choice.

More cool vendors -Bolder Path is a vendor that will take your signage trash and create it into product! Check it out...

Next, another link... Eco Promotional Products, Inc.

Standing Ovation for this morning's keynote speaker! Amazing - Dr. Karl-Henrik Robert, The Natural Step. He spoke about the big picture - creating the abstract framework for everyone to reach a common goal... a common theme throughout the conference - Collaborate...

Green Standards! How do we as planners standardize? Use and learn about the APEX Green Standards - 9 Categories to review - Link here. Then planners can use Meetings Professionals International Sustainable Events Management Tool.

OK, off now to our team meeting... GO Team Cypress and Birch!

Green Meetings Industry Council (GMIC) Portland 2011 - Report Day #1

Hi everybody! Welcome to our first full day in Portland at the GMIC 2011 Conference. Well... yesterday we did a bit of sight seeing and today was all about Green. We wanted to check in and provide you all with our top highlights from today! #GMIC #GMICblog

We are at the Doubletree Portland - very nice hotel and what an amazing job they have done in going green! I'm going to see if we have a video to show you on how wonderful they are...

• We started the day with one big message - the catalyst to change is industry collaboration. We couldn't agree more - with GMIC being approx. 70% planners from across the board - special events, meetings, conferences, association, corporate, religious, pharm, US, Canada, Europe - we all have to come together to effect change.
• If we want to push a Green Supply Chain - we need to begin speaking with our vendors and become their partners in going green. And, of course, walk the walk.
• See about "closing the loop" with suppliers - for example - where they will collect your vinyl banners and make them into bags for you to give to sponsors...
• We, as planners, can create a Green Planners Wish List... wouldn't that be great.
• But, I have found some great Green vendors that we visited with today. More to come tomorrow...
• The first is Vapur - it's a reusable water bottle that you can fold, roll, or flatten like a piece of paper. As a business it donates 1% of annual sales to environmental organizations. Check them out... http://www.vapur.us/ It's also BPA free!


• Second is KleanKanteen - check them out at http://www.kleankanteen.com/

• Two Vendors that we will be able to post about tomorrow are - Eco Promotional Products and BolderPath.
• A new term, coined from Richard Aaron at BizBash, get your ROG - Return on Green. Know what your ROI is in going green...
• When working contracts with venues/hotels - look for established programs and at a minimum include Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle programs.
• Check out the APEX Green standards... http://www.conventionindustry.org/StandardsPractices/GreenMeetings/APEXASTM.aspx

OK, that's it for day 1! We look forward to tomorrow's exciting fun. Follow us on Twitter at either "MumtazEvents" or "SimplyMumtaz".

Simply Mumtaz - GMIC Vancouver!

Simply Mumtaz at Green Meeting Industry Council Conference in Vancouver, British Columbia!

This was such a whirlwind week... We had our ISES February Green Special Events program on Tuesday (which I will post pics as soon as I get them), then flew to Vancouver for Wednesday's conference sessions! It was truly an international affair. Green is growing, it's not only a trend, but a new way of doing business. We had folks from all over the U.S., Canada, Europe, and Japan. There was so much information and the sessions were great! I'm so proud to be a member of GMIC and also to sit on the ISES International's newly formed Green Advisory Council. There is truly such a need for some Green guidelines/standards to hold those accountable for claiming Green and also just for those wanting to get started on Greening their practices. Everyone is talking long term about possibly creating a Green Certification... I'm on board.

Last year, I was in Montreal for the ISES Eventworld Conference and it was gorgeous. The people were great and it's definitely on my "go back to" lists. Vancouver was just as friendly, clean and refreshing... at least from what I saw from my day visit and my view out the 22nd floor of the Four Season's Hotel. I have to admit... I even bought a Maple Leaf Oh Canada T-Shirt! :)