(Virginia Beach, Va., October 21, 2009) – As the first “Virginia Green Destination,” Virginia Beach understands the importance of acting now to save our environment for future generations. The Virginia Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) recently announced a number of new initiatives designed to strengthen the East Coast resort city’s commitment to help preserve the environment. They include:
• The Virginia Beach hospitality industry exceeded its goal to certify 100 businesses with the Virginia Green program – including hotels, restaurants, events and attractions. Currently, more than 115 Virginia Beach businesses are Virginia Green certified, including 42 percent of Virginia Beach hotel rooms. Virginia Green awards green certification to businesses that take steps to reduce harmful environmental effects.
• The Virginia Beach CVB is actively pursuing the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver certification for the Convention Center and anticipates receiving this designation in spring 2010. The CVB has a LEED Accredited Professional (LEED-AP) on staff to coordinate these efforts. The Virginia Beach Convention Center was the first Virginia Green-certified convention center.
• The Virginia Beach CVB became the first Platinum business member of the Green Meeting Industry Council (GMIC), the leading global organization for sustainability in the meetings industry. GMIC is dedicated to sustainability not only through education but also by spearheading research, policy and standards for the meetings and event industry.
• The Virginia Beach CVB joined the Convene Green Alliance (CGA), a nonprofit grassroots, industry initiative spearheaded by several high-profile associations that seek to affect positive environmental practices through national, regional and local outreach and education. This initiative was developed in response to members’ demands that their association (and the meetings and events they sponsor) reflect best environmental practices.
• As a partner in the U.S Environmental Protection Agency’s ENERGY STAR program for two years, the Virginia Beach Convention Center saved $210,000 last fiscal year through energy conservation initiatives and cumulatively saved over $410,000 in utilities. When compared to the previous fiscal year (July to June), the Convention Center used 49 percent less power, gas and water. This includes a savings of 2.2 million kilowatts of electricity and 468,000 gallons of water. In addition, since implementing the use of recycle containers and dumpsters throughout the Convention Center facility two years ago, 156 tons of waste have been diverted from the landfill to a local recycling center.
This past year, Virginia Governor Timothy M. Kaine challenged the Virginia tourism industry to recruit 40 new partners for certification through its Virginia Green program. The Virginia Beach hospitality industry took that challenge to the next level. To be Virginia Green certified, tourism partners such as hotels, restaurants, events and attractions must meet set standards such as water conservation, energy conservation, recycling, and minimized use of styrofoam/disposables. The Virginia Beach businesses, most locally-owned and operated, voluntarily chose to join Virginia Green through a charge led by the Virginia Beach Green Hospitality Team whose mission is to establish the city’s hospitality industry as an environmental leader and bring awareness to the statewide program. The Virginia Green program is supported by the Virginia Tourism Corporation, the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, and the Virginia Hospitality and Travel Association.
Virginia Beach’s green initiatives include a social responsibility partnership with United Way; an oceanfront recycling program; and, in partnership with Hampton Roads Transit, the city offers hybrid-electric buses that replaced the old trolleys as the oceanfront’s seasonal service. The Green Jobs Academy in Virginia Beach also is launching two hospitality programs this fall at the Virginia Tech Hampton Roads Center: The Sustainable Restaurant Management Certificate and The Sustainable Hotel Management Certificate. These series review green restaurant and hotel best practices, as well as potential for cost savings and marketing. The Sustainable Restaurant Management Certificate Program includes sessions on recycling and waste management, energy and water savings, sustainable cuisine, and green restaurant marketing.
“In Virginia Beach, we know how important it is to implement initiatives that make a real difference in protecting our environment,” said James B. Ricketts, Director of the Virginia Beach CVB. “It’s exciting to see how committed our tourism industry is here in Virginia Beach, and we are proud of the green programs we’ve introduced.”
For a complete list of certified businesses and Virginia Green partners as well as green tips, hotels, and activities that support maintaining the beauty of Virginia Beach, visit www.VirginiaBeachGreen.com.
Virginia Beach entices visitors to “Live the Life” every season of the year! Virginia Beach is four hours southeast of D.C. by car and within a day’s drive or less from two-thirds of the U.S. population. For visitor information, call 1-800-VA-BEACH (800/822-3224) or visit the Web site www.vbfun.com for online trip planning. For media information and digital images, click on www.vbpressroom.com.
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