Greater Raleigh Guide for Meeting Planners | Page 12

Committed to Sustainability
Consider “ Voluntourism ”
visitRaleigh . com visitRaleigh . com / meeting _ planners

Giving Back

Greater Raleigh is ...

Committed to Sustainability

Greater Raleigh has implemented a three-pronged strategy to benefit citizens and the economy along with the environment . We ’ re installing plug-in stations for hybrid and electric vehicles , making our buildings more efficient , creating green jobs and improving our infrastructure , transportation , storm water management and parks and recreation .
Raleigh was one of the first cities to endorse the U . S . Mayors ’ Climate Protection Agreement ’ s plan for greenhouse-gas emission reduction .
In 2009 , our city was also singled out for Project Get Ready , an initiative to install plug-in electric stations across Raleigh to gear up for electric and hybrid vehicles .
The Raleigh Convention Center has been awarded USGBC Silver LEED Certification .
� In partnership with Cree , Raleigh is the first “ LED City ” in the world , recognizing more than a 40 % energy savings as municipal garages switch to LED lighting .
� Greater Raleigh can claim host to more than 20 LEED-Certified projects . �
Greater Raleigh has over 152 miles of hiking and greenway trails for discovering the unexpected and getting back to nature .

Consider “ Voluntourism ”

Some of the Raleigh area ’ s greatest assets are its friendly people who are on a mission to help others . For example , organizations involved in the Raleigh / Wake County Partnership to End and Prevent Homelessness are working on implementing a 10-year plan to put all citizens into homes .
More and more , meeting and convention planners are asking how they can support Greater Raleigh ’ s causes while their attendees are meeting here . We call this voluntourism . Not only does it give the visiting attendees new and positive experiences , but also it makes a positive impact on our destination .
The Greater Raleigh CVB can assist you in choosing the best contribution for your group , whether it ’ s time , talent or donation-based .
Testimonials
“ The convention center facilities were fantastic . This was the best conference for meeting potential customers that we ever experienced .
I want to thank you for your assistance .... You have a good thing going in Raleigh and I
wish you much success .”— Nick Milasnovich , National Sales Manager , Pass Assured
“ Thank you for everything you did to open Raleigh to us for our 95th Annual Convention . We have received nothing but high marks about not only the convention , but our being back
in Raleigh …. Again , thank you for helping us pull off a smashing success in Raleigh .” —
Sylvia Y . Cyrus and Marvin Pittman , Association for the Study of African American Life and History , Inc .
“ Our conference attendees loved your city , the Convention Center and the Marriott . They were also impressed with the number of Raleigh dignitaries who took time to welcome us . The people appreciated the friendliness and hospitality of all employees at the Convention Center . Overall , we had a wonderful conference .”— Kateri Mitchell , SSA , Executive Director , Tekakwitha Conference
“ I wanted to take the time to personally thank
you for all your support . You came through with everything you promised and helped
make our event a successful one . Thank you so much and I look forward to working with you in the future .” — Paul J . Gornie , Executive & Professions Event Support , IBM CHQ , Human Resources
“ I wish I was a talented enough writer to express what a great job [ GRCVB ] and your team did with the [ NHL ] All-Star Weekend . Fantastic in every sense of the word . Thanks for all you guys did . Wow !”— Jeff Merritt , Director of Business Development , Clancy & Theys Construction Co .
“ I wanted to let everyone know just how much I appreciate all you did to make [ 2011 ’ s ] Big Rock East Show a great success . The hours are long and there are always things that we can ’ t anticipate , but you rise to the occasion again and again . Your positive approach , knowledge and willingness to help others ensures that
our customers receive a level service that is unsurpassed in this industry .” — Teresa
Holcombe , Director of Corporate Events , Big Rock Sports
For more , go to visitRaleigh . com / testimonials