Sustainability Comes Naturally – For 2013 Conclave Host Visit Spokane

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Visit Spokane, host for the 2013 CMP Conclave, recently brought the city’s destination experience to Washington, DC. The result? An elegant and straightforward event built around Spokane’s sustainability. They have shared their innovative ideas so you can put into practice these simple steps for your next event.

First, choose a GREEN Caterer. This meaning food was locally sourced from farms using sustainable growing practices, sustainable production processes and recycling. In addition, their caterer ensured that unused food was donated, trash was separated for composting, and a host of other important initiatives.

Next, do away with the individual menu at each place setting. Instead use a welcome display to showcase the evening’s menu. It can be written on a re-usable chalkboard and framed stylishly in a re-purposed picture frame.

When it comes to place cards, think outside of the box! Use re-purposed wine bottle corks and re-usable chalkboard tags if you have a specific seating arrangement. Simply flatten one side of the cork so it easily sits on the table without rolling and then slice a lengthwise groove on the top side to accommodate your name card.

Save water! Nothing could be easier. Ensure the caterer provides water at each the table for self-serving as desired, rather than filling glasses that don’t get consumed and require more water to wash later.

Decorate with items that are locally available and seasonally appropriate. Pumpkins and gourds were purchased from a local family farm and were donated to the caterer to be re-used at other events. Vintage canning jars with tea lights inside created the perfect harvest ambiance and the family story behind the jars made an even more meaningful impact.

Make eco friendly gifts your mantra. DID YOU KNOW... GLASS TAKES OVER 4,000 YEARS TO DECOMPOSE? Each place setting featured napkin rings made from recycled bottles by Bottlehood, http://bottlehood.com. We then learned these multicolored beauties could be repurposed into necklaces with a simple leather cord! Bottlehood works with restaurants, bars, and events to keep glass out of our landfills while at the same time creating jobs and stimulating neighborhood economies as it partners with neighborhood artisans.  Prize drawings that were once wine barrels were made into ornate cheese boards.

Be sure to read the next issue of CMP Today that will feature the Spokane Convention Center’s green initiatives you will experience in practice at the 2013 CMP Conclave held June 8-11 at the Spokane Convention Center.  For more information on the 2013 Conclave visit, www.conventionindustry.org.