THIS TELLS THE STORY OF THE ANAHEIM CONVENTION CENTER
GOING GREEN AND THE INFLUENCE OF #expowest
http://www.hotel-online.com/News/PR2006_3rd/Aug06_GreenConv.html
This photo is from around 2008 or earlier. It was then I first interacted with Jim Tripp and gave him fresh organic herbs. I planted the Seed Dream then that we would have an herb garden at the Anaheim Convention Center for kitchen use.
OLD PLANT YOUR DREAM BLOG
2011
http://curezone.com/blogs/fm.asp?i=1819453
The Seed Dream I planted for an herb garden at the Anaheim Convention Center is now fulfilled!!!!
Seed Dream Fulfilled: Herb Garden for Anaheim Conventon Center is in the works!
Anaheim, CA (Jan. 18, 2012) – The Anaheim Convention Center has planted a 2,000 square-foot garden with an array of herbs on top of their Arena Box Office. The roof garden’s harvest will supply Aramark, the Anaheim Convention Center’s food caterer, with fresh, tasty herbs including rosemary, thyme, parsley and lavender. The herbs will be used during the year for a variety of food functions and conventions.
“This green roof is just another manifestation of the sustainable culture here at the Anaheim Convention Center. This single entity will provide multiple benefits, such as reduced requirements for cooling and heating for the Arena Box Office, and the elimination of packaging and transportation emissions for the herbs it will produce onsite,” according to Brian Daniels, Maintenance Manager at the Anaheim Convention Center.
January 16, 2012
http://meetings.anaheimoc.org/press/press-releases/anaheim-convention-center-...
Anaheim Convention Center went Green because of #expowest
The Anaheim Convention Center is one of the highest ranked Convention Centers in the nation. I trace this transformation to the presence of Expowest. The Natural Product Expo each year, and more specifically the many years of interactions between Organic Trade Association (OTA) and Organic Farming Research Foundation (OFRF) organic chefs interaction within the Aramark kitchen on site.
This is a yearly conversation I have with Jim Tripp, head of the Aramark Kitchen.
We first began interacting years ago behind the scene in the kitchen when I would show up with my camera to record these interactions.
During those days, the OTA would have its yearly fundraising Fest at the Anaheim Convention Center. I was the photographer numbers of those years.
One year, I even brought fresh local strawberries up to one of the banquets from San DIego's JR Organics. Joe Rodriguez showed up the next night with berries that went to Organic Center event at the Mariott.
We took pictures with Jim, and Joe interacted as well with Dr. Andrew Weil.
Project Taste Organic!
There is no way to overestimate the influence of tasting Organic as our best selling point for making new converts, especially among the young.
This is why April 25, 2012, I will be returning to Hamilton High School in Los Angeles for a Medical Fair produced by the seniors. The fair is the inspiration of my niece Eva Becker, my sister's daughter.
In the classroom I am Uncle Leslie to the Kids.
In was because of the OTA work behind the scenes at the Anaheim Convention Center that I first saw the great power when Organic meets conventional food, or for that matter GMO driven foods.
This is a Lesson for us to note as we take on Labeling in California and across the nation.
I say let our organic food speak for itself. Taste Organic and we will prevail.
Send in our best
This is the UNFI Truck that shows up each year at The Natural Product Expo West. UNFI is the largest distributor of Organic and Natural Foods in the Nation. One year, Walt Robb, Co Ceo of Whole Foods Market, announced at the Organic Center that UNFI had just delivered food to the White House.
The truth is--today--from the White House--to anyone who wants health--the choice is Organic or better.
Trade Shows, Convention Centers Going Green; Recycling Stations,
Organic Food, Hemp Drapes, Natural Light
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By Sandi Cain, Orange County Business Journal Staff and Darlene Gudea (Excerpted with permission from Trade Show Executive magazine. Gudea is publisher and editor of Trade Show Executive)
August 2006 - Trade shows, convention centers and service providers have taken a shine to the green movement.
Facilities that once emptied piles of trash in the nearest dumpster are now competing for the coveted Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, or LEED ratings, the standard for measuring and verifying environmental programs.
Designers say the rush to green buildings is driven by cost concerns, customer demand and a desire for environmentally friendly facilities.
“Environmental and conservation issues were not a priority for local governments for a while, but now that’s coming back,” said Thom Connors, senior regional vice president for convention centers at Philadelphia-based Spectacor Management Group, which manages more than 50 convention centers in North America and the Caribbean.
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A Green ‘Cafeteria’
The Natural Products Expo West worked with the Anaheim Convention Center and its catering partner Aramark Corp. to introduce a sustainable cuisine and regionalism program.
Menus under the program offer foods grown and harvested in ways that are more healthy to consumers and less harmful to the environment, such as produce grown without pesticides or chemical fertilizers.
Only seafood that’s not under threat of extinction due to over-fishing is served. Aramark buys local wines whose grapes are organically grown. Only shade-grown coffee is served.
To verify claims from farms that raise free-range chicken, Jim Tripp, Aramark general manager of convention and cultural attractions, said he personally visits those farms with his chef or assistant.
Tripp said the presentation of Aramark’s new food program at pre-convention meetings has been well received, particularly with Natural Products Expo West.
“They gave us a standing ovation,” he said. “The program could be a major selling point down the road with other shows.”
Ecobuild America of Schwenksville, Pa., chose Anaheim for its 2007 conference and exhibition in part because of the sustainable and energy-conscious features.
“California is a leader in sustainable design and building initiatives,” said George S. Borkovich, principal of Ecobuild.
The Anaheim Convention center also is centrally located in the market the conference wants to reach.
Anaheim Convention Center, Aramark Enviro Efforts
Use humanely raised poultry and other products—inspects the supplier facilities
Use Seafood WATCH list as basis for menus
Member of Rainforest Alliance using certified shade-grown coffee
Use cage-free eggs
Use biodegradable, recyclable utensils, cups and serving plates
Use organic items in catering and concessions operations
Have a recycle program on the show floor and in offices. Recycle bins available to place throughout an exhibit hall
Use local and regional farms for produce, cheese, wines
Eliminated most portion-controlled condiment packaging
Partner with the Environmental Protection Agency, The Organic Center, WorldCentric, Hearst Ranch, World Watch Institute, Monterey Bay Aquarium, and the Rainforest Alliance
Health food producer Sunrider International spokesman Bob Sencer also said the program could be an important factor in choosing a location for future events. “Sunrider believes that being a good corporate citizen requires companies to adopt measures to minimize the impact of business operations on the environment,” Sencer said. The company held its annual convention in Anaheim in July, bringing 5,000 people to town.
Aramark sends a letter outlining the program to every group that is planning a food and beverage function at the Anaheim Convention Center to help show managers and meeting planners understand its goals.
If a group requests a fish on the endangered list, Aramark explains why it does not serve that fish and offers alternatives.
Staff members also present the program to potential clients at all site visits and to anyone who requests sample menus.
Carlsbad-based International Music Products Association, which stages Anaheim’s largest trade show of more than 80,000, reported that the sustainability program was well received by attendees.
And RiteAid Corp. asked if Tripp and Smith would explain the program to other venues where the Harrisburg, Pa.-based company meets.
“Out of 100 site visits, 25% of planners said it was a big factor in their choice (of facility),” Tripp said. “Only one person said it wouldn’t be a factor at all in the choice of location.”
http://www.hotel-online.com/News/PR2006_3rd/Aug06_GreenConv.html
Horray, I did it!!!!
http://meetings.anaheimoc.org/press/press-releases/anaheim-convention-center-...
Organic Food, Hemp Drapes, Natural Light