The Clinton Global Initiative's annual meeting drew big names from near (new New Yorker Brad Pitt) and far (Tony Blair and Desmond Tutu), but the apples and flowers used as decor were all grown close to home. "Energy and climate change" was one of the four themes of former president Bill Clinton's third-annual three-day event, which took over the Sheraton New York Hotel & Towers from September 25 to 28. To minimize its negative impact on the environment, all the flowers and as much of the food as possible were grown within 100 miles of the city. For example, the white and purple lisianthus in the women's restroom and the dahlias on the hallway tables came from a farm in New Jersey, said the event's florist, Tess Casey of Aisling Flowers. (For flower emergencies, Aisling set up a workshop in the hotel's basement.)
As for the rest, it's hard to say how eco-friendly it could be considered, but production-wise it was very impressive. The walls of the hotel's second and third floors were wallpapered with giant photos of people and places that reflected the four themes (the other three were poverty alleviation, global health, and education)—from African women carrying buckets of water atop their heads to the melting polar ice caps. To minimize impact, the relevant images were reused from last year. The goal was to create an immersive environment for the conference's 1,300 guests, which included heads of state from around the world.Often compared with the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, CGI was jam-packed with both working sessions on topics including sustainable development and building a growing economy, as well as fun outings like the opening-night party at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and a concert at Carnegie Hall. For the second year, the event was produced by Five Currents, Scott Givens's West Coast-based production company, which has handled such large-scale extravaganzas as the opening ceremony at the 2007 Pan-American Games in Rio and the 50th anniversary of Disneyland.
Ensuring a smoothly run event required considerable logistics work. Registration was open the day before the conference began, and a sea of volunteers, wearing blue and white and CGI scarves (for women) or ties (for men), lined the hallways. The Starbucks and Hudson Bar on the first floor were moved to accommodate member services and registration, and the entire first four floors were rewired for Internet, phones, and video—which means miles of cable—so all of the events could be streamed online.
As for the rest, it's hard to say how eco-friendly it could be considered, but production-wise it was very impressive. The walls of the hotel's second and third floors were wallpapered with giant photos of people and places that reflected the four themes (the other three were poverty alleviation, global health, and education)—from African women carrying buckets of water atop their heads to the melting polar ice caps. To minimize impact, the relevant images were reused from last year. The goal was to create an immersive environment for the conference's 1,300 guests, which included heads of state from around the world.Often compared with the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, CGI was jam-packed with both working sessions on topics including sustainable development and building a growing economy, as well as fun outings like the opening-night party at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and a concert at Carnegie Hall. For the second year, the event was produced by Five Currents, Scott Givens's West Coast-based production company, which has handled such large-scale extravaganzas as the opening ceremony at the 2007 Pan-American Games in Rio and the 50th anniversary of Disneyland.
Ensuring a smoothly run event required considerable logistics work. Registration was open the day before the conference began, and a sea of volunteers, wearing blue and white and CGI scarves (for women) or ties (for men), lined the hallways. The Starbucks and Hudson Bar on the first floor were moved to accommodate member services and registration, and the entire first four floors were rewired for Internet, phones, and video—which means miles of cable—so all of the events could be streamed online.
The walls of the Sheraton were wallpapered with images and inspirational quotes.
Photo: Alison Whittington for BizBash
The walls of the Sheraton were wallpapered with images and inspirational quotes relating to the conference's four main initiatives.
Photo: Alison Whittington for BizBash
Local apples, bamboo planters, and herb topiaries all played into the environmentally conscious theme. The apples, which were also used as centerpieces for one of the dinners, were later donated to City Harvest.
Photo: Alison Whittington for BizBash
Just-launched recyclable Timberland boots were one of the eco-friendly giveaways for attendees.
Photo: Alison Whittington for BizBash
Where possible, the catering was locally sourced and farm-raised.
Photo: Alison Whittington for BizBash
