Long before I worked at Nike, I was involved in organizing running events. From fun runs for students, faculty and staff at the University of Tennessee in Martin, to Portland's Cascade Run Off, I was deeply involved in the running boom of the late 70s and early 80s.

Many of my friends are still involved in organizing races, and two of them produce an annual conference for race directors–they've asked me to help them come up with an agenda for a one-day conference on "greening" running races.

As I begin to collect my thoughts (and recall the myriad details and choices that comprise a race director's nightmares), I'm beginning to pay more attention to what other event organizers are doing to make their gatherings more green. When I stumbled upon an announcement about the upcoming Interbike bicycle trade show in Las Vegas, I decided to poke around and see what green tips I might discover.

Here's what I found on BikeBiz.com:

After three years of implementing its Green Steps Program to reduce the show's environmental impact, Interbike is now asking exhibitors and attendees to help with the next step…

Interbike has now launched the Carbon Neutral Travel Program. Participants of this program are asked to calculate the amount of carbon emissions or "footprint" for their travel to Interbike. This includes travel to and from the show and any transportation while attending the show.

OK, that's good, but not that newsworthy. The bi-annual Outdoor Retailer show in Salt Lake City encourages carbon offset travel as well.

But, mention in the press release of Interbike's Green Steps Program got my attention. Just what have show organizers been up to the past three years?

• Our first Step was to offset the energy used to operate Interbike by purchasing REC's (renewable energy certificates). This is equivalent to taking approx. 30 cars off the road for an entire year or planting 20 acres of trees.
• Work with the Sands, the City of Las Vegas, GES and other service providers to find out what they are doing and how we can work together to drive initiatives and support additional steps toward a healthier environment.
• Introduced recycled aisle carpeting.
• Offer recycled booth carpet to exhibitors.
• Switched to recycled paper badges printed with soy ink instead of plastic.
• Implemented “Yellow Bag” recycling program to collect cardboard off the show floor.
• Reduced use of paper printing with increase in use of electronic communication.
• Examples: online registration, online exhibitor service manuals and e-newsletters.

At their outdoor demo, organizers have added:

• Organic food and biodegradable foodware.
• Exhibitors are provided with biodegradable trash bags.
• Recycle bins throughout event and "green teams" collecting trash around the event for recycling.

And plans for the future include:

• Alternative transportation vs. standard hotel shuttle program. Pending bio-diesel availability.
• Composting bio-degradable items and reuse for local fertilizer. Pending further research and city participation.
• Bio-degradable food and beverage containers and utensils at the Sands.

WOW! That's an impressive list of things that anyone putting on an event could choose to do, in one fashion or another.

Carbon Neutral Journal's choices are brought to you by Jorgensen Associates.

Popularity: 23%