Attendees of the second annual Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) at the Sheraton New York Hotel & Towers in September received a crash course in conservation. The nonpartisan meeting, a project of the William J. Clinton Foundation, is a confab of international bigwigs hosted by the former president to talk about issues like climate change, global health concerns, extreme poverty, and religious and ethnic conflict. So the three-day meeting had a good reason to showcase innovative green elements rarely seen at large-scale events. CGI C.E.O. John Needham oversaw the event, and CGI hired Scott Givens of the Givens Company to manage the production elements.In lieu of paper brochures and collateral, this year CGI distributed USB memory sticks loaded with information from each of its sponsors and provided pens made from recycled denim. Instead of distributing printed packs about the institute, Harlem Films produced a three-minute film about the various ways to donate to its relief efforts that was burned on DVDs for attendees. There was still a small pile of donation cards—printed on recycled paper—available, but it remained virtually untouched since many attendees opted for the DVD format.
For the event's limited amount of signage, planners used machine-washable cotton that later went into storage to be used next year. In fact, even the gift bags were socially responsible. They included a Solio solar charger for a phone, blackberry, or iPod, Seedballz flower seeds, CocoaVia chocolate products by Mars, an innovator in cocoa science and sustainability, and Patagonia bags (the company pledges at least one percent of its yearly sales to the protection and restoration of the environment).
Where possible, menus included organically and locally-grown fruits and vegetables. At the opening night reception at the Museum of Modern Art, a vegetable station dubbed “the farm” featured all fresh, organic, locally grown items, including produce harvested by caterer Great Performances at the Katchkie Farm in Patterson, New York. Equally important to CGI was that sustainable food items, including free-range chicken and wild fish, be served. City Harvest received all the leftovers after the meeting’s Friday conclusion.
One of the most innovative ideas was to make the conference’s first-day luncheon completely compostable. Arizona-based Lewis Medansky of Distinctive Event Productions, who consulted on the entire conference’s food and beverage plan, conceptualized and produced the lunch, where everything—from table settings to the fish entrée—was eco-friendly. After the meal, staffers rolled up the hemp tablecloths around the contents of the table, which included bamboo cups donated by Rocamojo Asia Pte Ltd., and bamboo plates and cutlery made by Bambu (and available locally at Dean & Deluca), and deposited everything in a compost bin. (The plates contain no bleach or dyes and biodegrade in four to six months.)
Keeping in the recycling spirit, Deanco Digital printed menu cards on 100-percent post consumer recycled paper manufactured with wind-generated electricity. The lunchtime bento-box centerpieces contained potted plants that were later donated to community gardens.
Even the transportation was green: Ford donated a one-of-a-kind Hybrid Mercury Mariner to Clinton’s foundation, which carted former the former president to CGI’s opening night cocktail party. The presidential motorcade also featured another Ford hybrid and three others were on display outside the museum. At the former president’s request, Ford has re-gifted the Mariner to the Secret Service, which will use the vehicle on a daily basis.
—Stacey Howard
Posted 10.11.06
Photos: Courtesy of Distinctive Event Productions (entrée), Chris Hondros/Getty Images (Clinton)
Related Stories
Planners of the Year: Wooing World Leaders
3 Catering Trends for 2006
Guests Get 3-D Specs at World Business Forum
For the event's limited amount of signage, planners used machine-washable cotton that later went into storage to be used next year. In fact, even the gift bags were socially responsible. They included a Solio solar charger for a phone, blackberry, or iPod, Seedballz flower seeds, CocoaVia chocolate products by Mars, an innovator in cocoa science and sustainability, and Patagonia bags (the company pledges at least one percent of its yearly sales to the protection and restoration of the environment).
Where possible, menus included organically and locally-grown fruits and vegetables. At the opening night reception at the Museum of Modern Art, a vegetable station dubbed “the farm” featured all fresh, organic, locally grown items, including produce harvested by caterer Great Performances at the Katchkie Farm in Patterson, New York. Equally important to CGI was that sustainable food items, including free-range chicken and wild fish, be served. City Harvest received all the leftovers after the meeting’s Friday conclusion.
One of the most innovative ideas was to make the conference’s first-day luncheon completely compostable. Arizona-based Lewis Medansky of Distinctive Event Productions, who consulted on the entire conference’s food and beverage plan, conceptualized and produced the lunch, where everything—from table settings to the fish entrée—was eco-friendly. After the meal, staffers rolled up the hemp tablecloths around the contents of the table, which included bamboo cups donated by Rocamojo Asia Pte Ltd., and bamboo plates and cutlery made by Bambu (and available locally at Dean & Deluca), and deposited everything in a compost bin. (The plates contain no bleach or dyes and biodegrade in four to six months.)
Keeping in the recycling spirit, Deanco Digital printed menu cards on 100-percent post consumer recycled paper manufactured with wind-generated electricity. The lunchtime bento-box centerpieces contained potted plants that were later donated to community gardens.
Even the transportation was green: Ford donated a one-of-a-kind Hybrid Mercury Mariner to Clinton’s foundation, which carted former the former president to CGI’s opening night cocktail party. The presidential motorcade also featured another Ford hybrid and three others were on display outside the museum. At the former president’s request, Ford has re-gifted the Mariner to the Secret Service, which will use the vehicle on a daily basis.
—Stacey Howard
Posted 10.11.06
Photos: Courtesy of Distinctive Event Productions (entrée), Chris Hondros/Getty Images (Clinton)
Related Stories
Planners of the Year: Wooing World Leaders
3 Catering Trends for 2006
Guests Get 3-D Specs at World Business Forum
President Clinton’s three-day conference included many green touches—including machine-washable signage and menus with sustainable foods.
The Sheraton prepared a fish entrée for the conference’s first day compostable luncheon, served on bamboo plates and cutlery.
