At the upcoming SIA.07 SnowSports Trade Show, attendees will notice SIA stepping-up their environmentally friendly practices throughout the show and looking to SIA members to do the same at home and work. Realizing the importance of the environment on a weather-dependent industry, SIA has announced they will create a committee to focus on environmental issues to include packaging, recycling, global warming, waste management, transportation, natural resource preservation, etc. The committee will convene during the spring and issue its recommendations to the industry by year-end.
SIA.07 will be the first convention to work with the staff of the Mandalay Bay Convention Center to provide an on-site recycling program. Containers for recyclables such as plastic, glass, metal, etc. will be located throughout the show floor and in the lobby area.
Also new for this year, SIA will purchase renewable energy certificates from Renewable Choice Energy — of Boulder, Colorado in the amount of 225,000kWH for 100% of the electric power used during the SIA.07 Show. The purchase will prevent 313,200 pounds of carbon dioxide from being released into the atmosphere. In laymans terms this represents the equivalent of NOT driving a car 400,409 miles or effectively taking 27 cars off the road for one year. Additionally, SIA has committed to purchasing renewable energy for its home office electric power requirements for the next three years. Renewable Choice Energy is the national leader in providing renewable energy certificates sourced from clean and renewable alternatives such as wind generated power and hydropower.
Representatives from Renewable Choice Energy will be onsite for SIA.07 at the “SIA Resource Center” in the Mandalay Bay Convention Center lobby for the purpose of educating show attendees and enrolling individuals, business owners and managers in the SIA-endorsed program. The team will provide enrollment forms for renewable energy certificates that can be used in private homes or businesses. To illustrate the importance of this industry-wide commitment, SIA will highlight those who purchase certificates on an official “Wall of Signatures” during the show.
SIA is strongly encouraging every show attendee suppliers and staff, retailers and staff, reps and media – to visit the Resource Center and enroll in the program.
“Being green is not a new concept for us the snowsports industry has always been comprised of conservationists, its part of our heritage our livelihood and passion for wintersports requires an healthy environment. So, obviously were excited about the opportunity to be more environmentally friendly at the SIA.07 SnowSports Trade Show and to be examples on how we can help preserve the land which is so vital to our industry,” stated SIA President David Ingemie. “We recognize there are so many more things we can do, but feel the trade show is a good place to start,” Ingemie added.
