Coffee That is Good for You AND the Environment

I went to the ISES DC (International Special Events Society, Washington, DC Chapter) meeting yesterday at Longview Gallery. I saw cool artwork in a new event space and learned a bit more about social media. I think I’ve actually started to change my mind about Twitter…

Since it was a breakfast meeting, Travelling Bean – The Espresso Catering Company, was there to give us our morning fix of java. They are a small, family-owned company and really care about preserving the Chesapeake Bay and the Potomac River. In fact, in addition to using glassware whenever possible at events, or paper goods from recycled paper, they dispose of their espresso grounds in their flower beds!

They use local suppliers whenever possible and one of those is the Chesapeake Bay Roasting Company (CBRC). I first met CBRC when I was helping the Chesapeake Climate Action Network turn their annual Polar Bear Plunge green. What a cool company. Their coffee beans are Fair Trade Certified and USDA organic. They purchase and use 100% wind power and pledge 2% of gross sales to support community organizations and groups that make a measurable impact to the health of the Chesapeake Bay watershed. We all need to support companies like this. In 2010, CBRC coffee will be hitting more stores in our area. Look out for it and buy it!

Both Traveling Bean and the Chesapeake Bay Roasting Company will be at the Mid-Atlantic Green Wedding Showcase on Sunday, February 21, 2010 at the Samuel Riggs IV Alumni Center at the University of Maryland and serving complimentary coffee and espresso to attendees.

Educating Your Guests about Green Initiatives and Fuel Efficient Vehicles for Your VIP Clients

A few weeks back, I attended Eventworld, the annual ISES (International Special Events Society) conference in St. Petersburg, Florida.

Building upon last year, we had a list of green initiatives that we engaged in - or should I say "planned" to engage in? One initiative was to eliminate the use of "to go" coffee cups and utilize good old ceramic coffee mugs instead. There was a minor mutiny on the first day, and the ISES staff, being the customer oriented crew that they are, immediately had the banquet staff bring out the "to go" cups.

I was disgusted that my fellow event professionals put up such a stink in order to have their precious "to go" cups. Was it a status symbol to have one or did they really think they couldn't take their ceramic mugs into the meeting rooms? I would have thought they knew better.

I was also upset that we caved so easily; however, I can understand the need to keep the customer happy. But when incidents like this happen, should we give in so easily? This made me realize that not only do we need to train ALL of our staff to utilize the same party line when implementing new green initiatives, we also need to educate our attendees. Had we provided a sign in place of the "to go" cups that read "In consideration of the environment, we have eliminated the use of 'to go' cups. Please feel free to take a ceramic mug to your meeting room." the ISES staff would have had some ammunition to fight back. Citing statistics such as how much money and resources will be saved stresses your efforts even more.

Green Tip:
Fuel Efficient Vehicles for Your VIP Clients

If you normally book sedans or limos for transporting guests, use a company that offers fuel efficient vehicles.

Here in the Baltimore/DC area, Enviroride offers Toyota Camry Hybrids, Toyota Hylander hybrids and the Mercedes E320 for very reasonable prices.

Nationally, All Occasion Transportation offers Prius Hybrids. In fact, I had the opportunity to utilize one myself and it was a very pleasant ride.