Speaking/Education

Part of Viridian's mission is to educate about sustainability, green building, and the triple-bottom line. We do this by speaking at meetings, events, and other engagements, publishing our experiences in print and virtual media, and setting up educational booths at select expos and festivals. If you are interested in having us speak for your event, simply contact us to determine our availability. If you want to see where we are speaking next, check out our events page.  Below you will find our Speaker's Requirements.

Speaker’s Requirements:

Thank you for inviting an Viridian representative to speak at your upcoming event.  Viridian’s mission is to consult with businesses to increase their triple bottom line of people, profits, and planet through environmentally responsible and sustainable business practices.  As such, we are also dedicated to educating our community about these opportunities. 

As a sustainability and green buildings consulting firm, our consultants are frequently asked to speak to various groups.  It is our intent to educate the event planners associated with these groups as well as educating the participants.  We have included a list of 'speaker requirements' with a few required and a few suggested green actions for the event/organization to implement if we decide to fulfill their request. 

For our Speakers to consider fulfilling your speaking request, your event/facility must be committed to reducing their impact on the environment.  These practices will reduce the environmental impact of the event as well as educating the participants in a passive, operational form.  There is usually an associated financial benefit to complying with the required or recommended items.

Please note these items do not pertain to travel, lodging or honorarium fees.  These will be handled separately with the host.

RESOURCES:

www.bluegreenmeetings.com

www.napco.com

www.greenmeetings.info

REQUIRED ITEMS:

·        Your event’s environmental statement or policy in writing

·        No styrofoam – Period.  None for use in food service or otherwise.

·        Visible, on-site recycling for at least basic items: cans, bottles, paper, cardboard.

·        Give a reasonable attempt to use minimal heating and air.

·        Waiver of conference registration or other fees

·        Specific a/v needs dependent on presentation

·        Ability for Viridian to use your published communication about this speaking engagement in our published communication (emailed newsletter, website, etc.)

·        Results of feedback forms administered by event staff

·        Quote from event organizer about speaker that can be used in future promotional materials

RECOMMENDED ITEMS:

Administration/Marketing:

·        Reasonable attempt to limit Greenwashing using “6 Sins of Greenwashing” by TerraCycle as a guide: http://www.terrachoice.com/files/6_sins.pdf

·        All communication with the speaker to be done without the use of paper (i.e. email, website, phone.)

·        All programs or paper to be printed on both sides to save paper

·        All paper contains some recycled content

·        Use electronic registration rather than paper

·        Instruct other speakers or events to offer handouts electronically (i.e. flash drives, email, post to a website, etc.) after the meeting rather than paper handouts onsite.

·        Limit database distribution to lessen unwanted direct mailing by exhibitors.

·        Continually update database for most accurate information

·        If a conference bag is to be handed out, offer one of recycled/reusable materials.

·        Offer reusable welcome packets

·        In welcome materials alert/inform attendees of green initiatives and/or requested actions.

·        Linen reuse program, amenities replenished when empty

·        Turn off lights and air conditioning when not in hotel rooms.

·        Emphasize recycling of name badges, bags, welcome packets, handouts, paper.

·        Limit overruns. Recycle. Avoid goldenrod and florescent paper as it is harder to recycle.

·        Encourage exhibitors to limit distribution of printed materials only to those who request.

·        Donate leftovers and floral arrangements.

·        Use recyclable signage. Donate non-reusable signage to schools/art departments.

·        Fun Run Walk alternative: local park clean-up or other environmentally friendly activity

·        Leave a Legacy. Donate funds to the local parks department for tree plantings to offset the carbon footprint.

Location:

·        Limit attendee travel (i.e. hotels within walking distance of restaurants and meeting site, attendee education of walking opportunities, downplay shuttles, do airport pick-ups in groups, etc.)

·        Make sure rooms are comfortable, but not overly heated/cooled.

·        Make sure lights and air conditioning will be turned off when not in use

·        Encourage use of compact fluorescent light bulbs

Hospitality:

·        Condiments in bulk containers

·        Non disposable stirring utensils

·        Water in pitchers or water cooler stations rather than plastic bottles

·        Glassware and china – eliminate plastic and Styrofoam

·        Cloth napkins and table coverings

·        Charities to receive leftovers

·        Recycling containers for paper, glass, plastic

·        Keg beer rather than bottles

·        Local, seasonal, sustainable and/or organic products        

·        Order food and beverage for breaks and buffets that last longer and whose leftovers can be donated to charity. Identify the Charity where leftover will be delivered.

·        Guestroom services

·        Request linen and towel reuse program

·        Request amenities not be replaced until empty

·        High efficiency toilets, showerheads