Virginia Green Travel Conference Held in Virginia Beach
Last week was a fantastic opportunity for Keep Virginia Beautiful to partner for the first time with Virginia Green Travel Alliance to host the Virginia Green Travel Conference at the Virginia Beach Convention Center.
It was a natural fit because we are a statewide organization that engages Virginians to improve the natural and scenic environment of the Commonwealth, and VGTA is a statewide organization that gives the information, tools, and certification for businesses to learn and implement sustainable practices.
The keynote speaker on the first day of the conference was Jenny Lawson, CEO of Keep America Beautiful. In addition to all that KAB is doing and the resources they provide for communities and businesses, she presented the Model for Change as the best tool we have to make our communities clean, green, and beautiful places to live.
The second day’s keynote speaker was Erik Hansen, US Travel Association. He spoke about the Association’s newly formed Sustainable Tourism Coalition, which is comprised of members representing all sectors of the travel industry that will guide and shape policy relating to sustainability.
In between those two days were workshops presented by experts on topics such as the economic value of sustainability, the status of recycling, and other guests that are the who’s-who in the tourism industry. There was also an ongoing Business Expo with vendors available to learn more about sustainable practices and business, as well as the chance to purchase sustainable products on the Eco Maniac Company mobile unit, and to pick up freebies at informational tables.
But perhaps the highlight was the awards ceremony featuring the Virginia Green Star Awards that are given annually to recognize people and organizations who are with the GREENEST tourism businesses in the Commonwealth. They also welcomed Busch Gardens as a recently certified Virginia Green Travel Business. Additionally, this year Keep Virginia Beautiful had the opportunity to present their Green Keepers awards to local Affiliate organizations and individuals who really led the way this year in helping to keep Virginia green!
It was inspirational to see so many businesses and individuals focused on the need and ability to be sustainable in today’s world. The Virginia Beach Convention Center, also a Virginia Green Travel Business, offered washable or recyclable plates, cups, napkins and other green products for attendees. And the evening’s charcuterie board spelled the letters “GREEN” in fresh, local food!