The Top Ten Green Cities Print
Wednesday, 07 July 2004 04:54
Looking for the latest trend in conventions? Then why not go green? Hosting your upcoming event in a city known for clean air and water, renewable energy, reliable public transportation, and multitudes of parks, greenbelts, and farmer’s markets could be just the way to say thanks to Mother Nature, while showing your participants that you care about the future of our Earth.
Listed below are ten cities that have proven they are committed to creating a positive environment for future generations of residents by implementing smart recycling programs and presenting well-kept streets, parks, and playgrounds to make their city a healthy, prosperous, and fun place to live.

Austin, Texas – With 205 parks, 14 nature preserves, and 25 greenbelts, Austin is definitely one green city, literally! Its recycling center dates back to 1970 and they city plans to meet 20% of its energy needs with renewable energy by 2020, so this is one city that plans on being green for years to come.


And, with close to 200 companies planning to visit Austin for the upcoming TIA TravelCom ’08 alone, this fabulous green city definitely has what it takes to host your next convention. * information courtesy of TIA.org

Boulder, Colorado – Since 1898, city planners have worked to preserve parkland in this small Rocky Mountain city. Currently boasting over 40,000 acres of beautiful, and urban-free, land, Boulder is perfect for hiking, picnicking, rock-climbing, and fishing.

The residents here all work together to maintain the park oasis. Over 90% of them recycle and new water meters are not allowed about a certain elevation to help protect the ridgelines and peaks.

But don’t worry, that doesn’t mean that Boulder doesn’t have the development or resources to host your next meeting or convention - With 14 different conference centers and 2,078 hotel rooms there will be plenty of room for your green meeting!
*statistics courtesy of bouldercoloradousa.com

Burlington, Vermont – Don’t let the small size of the Lake Champlain city fool you – Burlington residents are big on effort when it comes to keeping their city green. More than one-third of the energy used in the city comes from renewable resources and Burlington laws don’t allow the use of pesticides on public parks, land or waterways. And, owing to the plentiful local agriculture, the public schools are even incorporating the idea of sustainability into their regular school curriculum. As Burlington’s children grow up and become adults they will be armed with the knowledge to help both their community, and any other communities that they become residents of, continue to strive for a greener future.
And, hopefully, that future will include your next convention. In fact, in the past 20 years, the Vermont Convention Bureau has skillfully facilitated diverse groups from a half dozen to more than 9,000 attendees. *attendee information courtesy of vermont.org

Chicago, Illinois – Chicago is no stranger to ‘greenest city’ lists. It currently has over 40 green-certified building projects, with more on the horizon; and all 9 of the city’s museums, as well as the Art Institute of Chicago, have been converted to run partially on solar power. The city officials here have even voted to give tax incentives to homeowners who invest in the many historic homes and retrofit them with energy efficient heating and cooling systems, as well as water-saving plumbing.
Brimming with museums, festivals, shopping, up-scale dining and everything in between, Chicago just may be the perfect place to host your green meeting!

Madison, Wisconsin - One of the first cities in the US to offer curbside recycling, Madison’s recycling program gets an incredible 97 percent participation, with 265 tons of material collected each week! The bikes out number cars three to one, thanks to over 100 miles of bike paths, and if you’re in the mood for a farmer’s market you can find one here year round.
The residents here definitely seem determined to preserve the naturally lush beauty of their community and would love to share it with like minded visitor. And hosting your next convention will be no problem thanks to their over 400,000 sq feet of meeting space! Having hosted everything from environmental, engineering, agri-business and medical groups as well as events like World Dairy Expo, Ironman Wisconsin and ESPN Great Outdoor Games, Madison is certainly a worth while, green, destination for your next group meeting. *information courtesy of visitmadison.com

Minneapolis, Minnesota – With great drinking water, active community organizations and the Minnesota State Department of Commerce influencing businesses and residents to hook solar systems up to the city's grid, it is easy to see why Minneapolis made it into the top ten green cities list. Named one of the top business districts in the nation by the Environmental Protection Agency, over 60% of Minneapolis downtown workers use public or alternative transportation to get to work.

Boasting several public museums, private art galleries, music and arts festivals, historic theaters that offer drama, comedy and music, and a plethora of cuisine options suitable for even the most discerning pallet, as well as the nations largest shopping center, Mall of America, Minneapolis certainly has something to offer every member of your organization.

New York, New York – A surprise on the greenest cities list, New York’s public transportation, energy-efficient housing and good water quality make it a very green place to live. In fact, more than 80% of NYC residents use public transportation. Add that to the famed Central Park, a green oasis tucked within the urban sprawl and you’ve got one green, and fabulous, city for your next convention!

Portland, Oregon- Perched along the banks of the Willamette River, this city has resisted pressure from developers by setting an urban growth boundary to protect 25 million acres of forest and farmland. They’ve also started a solid-waste program that recycles more than half of the city's trash, while erecting more than 50 public buildings that meet tough standards set by the United States Green Building Council.

If you’re considering going green for your next meeting, be sure to check out the Oregon Convention Center (OCC). It is the largest convention center in the Pacific Northwest, making it an ideal venue for conventions, industry tradeshows, meetings, and banquets. Located in the beautiful and lively downtown district, the OCC is the preferred destination for many groups because of its commitment to customer service and leadership in sustainable practices. *information courtesy of oregoncc.org

San Francisco, California - With Golden Gate Park, the newly-decommissioned Presidio, beaches, extensive bike paths and access to the Pacific and the Bay, this city has an abundance of recreational options. And, thanks to bus, subway and ferry services that reach throughout the Bay Area, avid bikers and devoted car poolers, San Francisco has a way with getting people out of their cars. The city is also a leader in green building, with more than 20 building projects registered for official green certification.
With a multitude of unique venue options and an abundance of accommodations, San Francisco is a perfectly sunny and green place to schedule your next convention!

Santa Monica, California – Another California treasure, the active city council of Santa Monica has enthusiastically written and enacted the Sustainable City Plan, successfully brining their city to the top greenest cities list. Three of every four of the city's public works vehicles run on alternative fuel; making it among the largest such fleets in the country and all public buildings use renewable energy. Add that to the miles of pristine beaches, an efficient city bus system, and popular curbside recycling and you’ve got all the ingredients that make Santa Monica the green gem that it is today.
What better excuse to visit the California coast than by letting this city host your next group event there? With a wide array of dining options, abundant accommodations, and stunning venues to choose from Santa Monica is a beautiful place to hold your green convention.

So, before you begin planning for your next event, consider booking your next meeting in one of the Top Ten Green Cities and you’ll be well on your way to reducing the carbon footprint of your organization.
Last Updated ( Friday, 28 March 2008 16:10 )