The Green Meeting Industry Council (GMIC) has announced the establishment of its first-ever local chapter. Located in Chicago, the pilot chapter has a membership of 50 Illinois-based meeting professionals who are committed to advancing green practices and philosophies within the meetings and events industry.
"Chicago is generally regarded as one of the greenest cities in America, so it seems logical that it should also be one of the best cities for green meetings and events," founding chapter member Deborah Popely, president and founder of Green Events Source, a Chicago-based green event consulting and planning firm, said in a statement. "We're already seeing a lot of sharing of ideas and experiences across industry sectors in the small group that's already been assembled. It's going to be an exciting process to watch unfold."
GMIC was formed in December 2003 and began seriously considering the idea of creating local chapters this winter following its 2008 annual meeting in Vancouver. The decision to move forward with local and regional groups reflects the exploding interest in sustainable business nationwide, according to GMIC Executive Director Tamara Kennedy-Hill.
"Today, there are a lot less skeptics and a lot more organizations seeking to take advantage of the mainstream of green in every industry," she said in a statement. "The Chicago group was one of many cities and regions that have expressed interest in forming a GMIC chapter. Chicago happened to be the first, and I dare say most energetic, group to present a solid proposal as to how the GMIC could partner to make it happen."
Among the initial supporters of GMIC's new Chicago chapter are the Chicago Department of Environment and the Chicago Convention and Tourism Bureau. In addition to Popely, founding members include Julie Larson of McDonald's Corp., Beth Bracco of Blue Plate Catering and Rhonda Chesney of Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts. Other cities currently seeking authorization to form local GMIC chapters include Portland, Ore.; San Francisco; Boston; Denver; San Diego; and Washington, D.C.
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