NO TIME TO WASTE: NEW ORLEANS IS GOING GREEN

Call it green, call it sustainability, but being environmentally savvy is not a trend. It's an important business practice that's here to stay. The New Orleans CVB has formed the "New Orleans Hospitality Community Green Task Force" to become a more environmentally friendly destination for you.

We understand that each organization is unique in terms of how it defines social responsibility. For years, corporate America has selected New Orleans as a meetings destination for the wealth of “voluntourism” community service opportunities available to expand team building efforts and strengthen corporate social responsibility programs. But now we are taking it one step further. The New Orleans Hospitality Community is investing in Green practices to help achieve your business objectives and green requirements.

A Task Force of passionate members of our Hospitality Community has been created with the following industry representatives: New Orleans Morial Convention Center, Louisiana Superdome, New Orleans Arena, restaurants and entertainment facilities, destination management companies, expo contractors, hotels, visitor attractions, transportation, and trash disposal companies.

What Does this mean for PACE 2009?

PACE will continue its commitment to reducing its carbon footprint by expanding the following practices started at PACE 2008:

-Reduction in printed promotional materials being mailed to prospective attendees by relying on electronic dissemination of information.
-Recycled materials used for lanyards, pens, paper, soy ink as well as other areas we continue to explore.

We’ll also:
· Donate leftover food to local perishable foodbanks: Second Harvest and Bridge House.
· Serve sugar, milk, salt, and pepper in bulk rather than individual packets.
· Refreshment breaks will be china cups or made of materials that are postconsumer or fully compostable.
· Use local and organic food products when possible.
Be Sure to attend the Eco-Friendly Education Sessions during PACE 2009.