Outdoor Retailer recently confirmed it will power the upcoming Winter Market tradeshow with “100% Green Power” or electricity generated from environmentally preferable renewable energy sources such as solar, wind or geothermal powered energy. For Winter Market, 100% clean wind energy will be utilized by the Salt Palace Convention Center. All proceeds from Green Steps sponsorships plus additional contributions from OR will cover the 10% cost increase to avoid burning fossil fuels during the Show.
“Outdoor Retailer decided to do our part for the Show and the industry by powering all four days of OR Winter Market 2005 with a sustainable resource — wind energy. It is just one step that OR is taking to move with the entire industry in the right direction,” said Andy Tompkins, ORs Show Director.
According to Utah Power, the power supplier for the Salt Palace Convention Center, for every kilowatt-hour of wind energy purchased, a company can offset 2 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions. Based on power usage from pasts shows, at the upcoming Outdoor Retailer Winter Market an estimated 117,109 kilowatt-hours of wind energy will be purchased.
With the launching of its new Green Steps program, OR hopes to raise awareness on sustainability and showcase companies within the outdoor industry that support and encourage a healthy environment. Throughout Winter Market there will be plenty of opportunities to learn about sustainability and acknowledge leaders within the outdoor industry that are taking “Green Steps.” Look for the Green Steps footprint in the Official Show Handbook and on the Show Floor as a carpet overlay to identify leaders in this ground-breaking program.
Other Green Steps programs include:
Green Steps Resource Center/Booth #004:
Manned by the folks from Indigenous Designs, the Green Steps booth will be a resource center providing retailers, manufacturers and individuals with information, advice and examples of how to maintain a sustainable economy, ecological balance and social justice. OR attendees can also join the Green Steps effort to help further sustainability in the outdoor industry and pick up a copy of the new Green Steps Journal-which will be reporting on individuals/companies/efforts leading up to and during Winter Market.
WinterGreen Industry Party:
Date/Time: Saturday, January 29, 6:00-8:00PM
Location: Union Pacific Depot at The Gateway Plaza
Who says being green cant be fun too? ORs annual Industry Party will feature organic whole foods, environmentally friendly brewed beer, recycled paper products and an activist singer/song writer Patrice Pike.
Seminars/Discussions:
Session I: Industry Collaboration on Environmental Sustainability
Date/Time: Saturday, January 29th Noon-1:00PM
Facilitator: David Bennell, Business and Environment Associates
Location: SLC Marriott Downtown (across from Salt Palace)
Geared toward those who are interested in taking an active role in advancing an environmental agenda within the industry, this session builds off of the sustainability session organized by Patagonia, REI and Timberland at the OIA Rendezvous. The organizers will present results from a survey on environmental practices, show examples of how different groups have aligned to address the sustainability challenge in the past, and in addition provide a framework for how the outdoor industry could collaborate for discussion by the audience. The intent of the session is to establish a group of companies interested in (and a model for) moving the environmental agenda forward.
Session II: Town Hall Session on Sustainability – A dialog on how we all can collaborate for the voice of sustainability in the outdoor industry
Date/Time: Sunday, January 30th Noon-1:00PM
Facilitator: Terry Gips, Sustainability Associates
Location: SLC Marriott Downtown (across from Salt Palace)
This session is geared toward those who are interested in collaborating and creating a foundation for the voice of sustainability. Topics include: culture, fair trade, natural fibers, retailers roll, manufacturing practices. A resource panel will be available to address questions related to these issues. Organizers will provide resources, encouragement and examples within the industry.
