WESTERN Trade Show Overland Park, KS

Contractors' Participation

Woody Bibens & Associates

The WESTERN Nursery and Landscape Association is managed by Woody Bibens & Associates, an association management company based out of Kansas City, Mo.

Woody Bibens & Associates has featured a virtual office since 2005 and been “paperless” for almost a year. After successfully working out of a traditional office since 1989, WBA evolved into a virtual office to adapt to the changing atmosphere of the workplace and meet the needs of its professional staff. Embracing recent advances in technology, such as Web-based databases and a Web-based phone management system, Woody Bibens & Associates reduces fuel usage and emissions by eliminating daily commutes and conserves natural resources by only using electronic files for communications, reports, contracts, timesheets and more.

 

The George Fern Company

The WESTERN Nursery and Landscape Association’s exposition service contractor, The George Fern Company, has a variety of green initiatives being implemented on site during the WESTERN Trade Show, including:

• Minimizing energy use by reducing the lights, power and HVAC during move in and move out times in the exhibit hall.

• Electronic Exhibitor Kits are e-mailed to exhibitors prior to the WESTERN as well as being available online. If clients still are interested in paper kits, any binders that are mailed are made from 35% post consumer recovered fiber and recycled paper. The contents of the binder are printed on post consumer recycled paper.

• Booth materials include pre-cut, to-length table-top vinyl, wooden tables and bio-degradable liners for trash cans.

• Booth identification signs are made from renewable forest by products with water-based ink.

• Aisle signs, show signage, double-sided signs, graphics and logos use products made of environmentally responsible components with water based inks.

• Registration counter uses lighting that is Energy Star Saver approved with T-8 ballast and bulbs – using 30% less energy. Counters also are re-usable.

• Computer kiosks are re-usable with logos and graphics printed with water-based inks.

• Booth and aisle carpeting is made from and fully recyclable fiber and backing.

• Equipment used to move exhibitor freight in and out of the trade show includes natural-gas forklifts and hand carts to help improve air quality.

• Transportation reduces the environmental impact while supporting the regional economy. George Fern also partners with a local contractor, manages and uses local labor, minimizes transportation to from the show, and uses bio-diesel fueled or alternative-fuel trucks when feasible.

• Staff is trained to assist facility with properly disposing of recyclable materials and other waste. Personnel are informed about the environmentally responsible practices being implemented during the WESTERN Trade Show.

• Recycling the scrap foam by returning it to vendor who reprocesses it for future use.

• Champion recycles all scrap aluminum. George Fern’s SST department utilizes the bulk of our aluminum and through the process of customizing our structures we end up with a lot of scrap which is all recycled.

• Recycling all cardboard and bulk paper.

Overland Park Convention Center

The WESTERN Nursery and Landscape Association’s annual meeting and trade show takes place at the Overland Park (Kan.) Convention Center (OPCC), which is working to be more sustainable through:

• Association Membership:
  • Director of Ops is member of Kansas City Chapter of US Green Building Council. If corporate determines, OPCC will pursue LEED EB Certification through this organization.

• Recycling Program:
  • Recycling all types of cardboard, paper, and pallets from events and administrative offices.
  • All office work stations have paper recycling trays.
  • Break room contains recycling station for paper, plastic, aluminum, and glass.
  • Recycle Bins are placed at registration areas and near concession stands during events.
  • Have a 2008 capital budget to purchase new matching, attractive trash and recycle receptacles.
  • Send PCs to a local company, Forerunner Recycling, to be “repurposed.”

• Energy Management System:
  • Automated energy management system allows for efficient control and scheduling of the heating and cooling system.
  • Using low mercury fluorescent lighting in meeting rooms.
  • Energy efficient HID lighting used in ballroom and exhibit hall.
  • Occupancy light sensors in use in restrooms, storage closets, and hallways.
  • Created a policy for exhibitor move-ins for the efficient use of the heating, cooling and lighting systems.
  • High efficiency chillers and boilers are well-maintained.
  • Indoor air quality is maintained through the ventilation system which incorporates CO2 monitoring.
  • Use of low flow restroom fixtures.
  • Make reminders at the All-Staff meetings for everyone to turn off lights when leaving offices and rooms, turn-off computers when leaving for day, and save on copy paper by using back sides for scratch paper and printing wisely.

• Green Supplies and Chemicals:
  
  • Sales Department produces Sales folders made from recycled paper
  • Use file folders, copy paper, envelopes, and stationery made from recycled paper.
  • Send empty copy machine toner cartridges back to manufacturer to be recycled.
  • Incorporated the use of environmentally friendly peroxide-based cleaning chemicals.

• Food and Beverage Department:
  • Purchases locally grown and baked products.
  • Donates surplus food to a local food bank.
  • Purchases seasonal produce.
  • Purchases recycled paper for disposable cups and napkins.
  • Purchases compostable paper goods (plates, bowls, and plastic ware)
  • Offers vegetarian meal selections: vegetables consume less land base and energy to produce.
  • Are researching organic wines and vegetables.

Sheraton Overland Park Hotel at the Convention Center

Attached to the OPCC, the Sheraton Overland Park Hotel at the Convention Center is the main hotel used by the WESTERN Trade Show’s participants. Its green practices are:

• As of December 2007, converted all guest room lighting from incandescent to compact fluorescent (CFL) along with most of the ballrooms & meeting rooms. All CFL’S are recycled

• All office waste and newspapers are on a recycle program

• Participate in a battery-recycle program

• All cooking oil is recycled

• Green program is in place for all guest linens. Cards are on the Sweet Sleep beds at check in inviting guests to participate.

• All lighting is turned off by the housekeeping staff and room air units are set to the unoccupied status confirmed by housekeeping supervisor inspections.

• Facility is equipped with the Siemens Apogee energy management system which allows us to control all public area Meeting space & employee areas from the engineering department. All areas are programmed daily to correspond with business levels. Meeting space is set to heat or cool 1 hour before an event and return to unoccupied status 30 minutes after the conclusion.

• All public and employee restrooms have been equipped with low flow automated faucets and flushing devices. All Kitchen water sources are equipped with low flow devices where possible.

• Paperless check-in and check-out

• If requested, able to supply locally grown food from certified organic growers.

Courtyard by Marriott: Overland Park/Convention Center

Another hotel used in conjunction with the WESTERN Trade Show is the Courtyard by Marriott: Overland Park/Convention Center. Its green initiatives include:

• Recycling paper and cardboard

• Setting thermostats in vacant rooms and turning off all lights.

• Turing off lights in unused rooms and unplugging electronics when not being used.

• Using florescent and compact florescent lighting.

• Using reusable glasses in meeting rooms instead of styrofoam.

• Paperless check-in

• Beginning a Terry Re-Use program. Occupied rooms have the option to reuse the terry in their rooms

 

Hilton Garden Inn Overland Park

A hotel in close proximity to the Overland Park Convention Center, the Hilton Garden Inn Overland Park’s green practices include:

• Recycling:
  • Daily newspapers
  • Office printing paper
  • Front desk key packets
  • Guestroom keys

• Restaurant:
  • Eco-friendly, fully renewable ecotainer coffee cups
  • Deep fryer grease is sent to be recycled

• Meeting Rooms:
  • Lights off when not in use, temperature lowered.

• Guestrooms:
  • Sheets & towels conserved at guests request.
  • Lights off and temperature lowered with not occupied.
  • Energy saving spring and florescent light bulbs throughout the hotel