Press Releases

Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau Announces
Hospitality Water Conservation Summit

Media Contact: Ryan Smith
(919) 645-2676
rsmith@visitraleigh.com

February 5, 2008

RALEIGH  -- With water levels at all-time lows, Denny Edwards, president and CEO, of the Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau (GRCVB) has put out an urgent call to his colleagues in the hospitality industry to help the region save more water.

Edwards is convening the first Greater Raleigh Hospitality Conservation Summit on Wednesday, February 13 at the Sheraton Raleigh Hotel, bringing together leaders from area hotels and restaurants with local and state drought experts.

"During a time when consumers and businesses are facing the toughest water restrictions in history, we're calling on the hospitality community to set the standard for corporate conservation efforts," Edwards said.

"It's important that businesses not only understand the severity of the crisis, but also learn the many ways they can conserve water while continuing to provide consumers high-quality products and services," added Edwards, noting that tourism is one of the top industries in Wake County.

At the summit, hotel and restaurant leaders will hear from a variety of experts on the current drought status, industry best practices, restrictions that may be implemented in the future, examples of usage levels among hotels and restaurants, and steps hotels and restaurants can take to help ease the crisis.

Scheduled speakers include Tom Rhodes and Keyes McGee of the North Carolina Division of Pollution Prevention and Environmental Assistance, and Ed Buchan, water conservation specialist with the City of Raleigh.

The summit has been divided into two working sessions; a morning forum from 9:00 - 10:30 a.m. for the hotel industry, including hotel General Managers, Directors of Engineering, Room Directors, and Directors of Food & Beverage; plus an afternoon session from 2:00 - 3:30 p.m.  for the restaurant industry including Owners, Executive Chefs, General Managers and Kitchen Managers.

"This is a working summit that's about putting ideas into action," Edwards said. "We designed the sessions to be informative and interactive so that our colleagues leave here with clear, tangible steps they can take immediately to save water."

For more information or to attend the meeting, please contact: Linda Bonine (919) 645-2662 or lbonine@visitraleigh.com

The Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau is a non-profit agency enhancing the economic growth and development of Raleigh and Wake County by increasing visitor and convention business.