THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO ATTENDED!
The 12th Annual Virginia Green Travel Conference & Green Travel Star Awards on March 20-21 at Busch Gardens.
It sure was a FUN Time!
CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL of the AWARD WINNERS!
The official MEDIA ALERT lists them all!
Pictures of the Awards and the Entire Conference can be accessed HERE.
THANKS TO ALL OF OUR SPONSORS & SPEAKERS (see below) & to the Staff at BUSCH GARDENS!
SPECIAL THANKS TO PRESIDENT GEORGE WASHINGTON FOR HOSTING THE AWARDS! 🙂
The Sustainability is a Wild Ride!
Please join us at the 12th Annual Virginia Green Travel Conference & Awards at Busch Gardens Williamsburg for inspiring presentations, networking opportunities, and recognition of environmental champions in Virginia’s travel industry. Together we’ll discuss the rollercoaster of greening-up operations large and small, from music venues to sports stadiums to breweries. We’ll go behind the scenes at Busch Gardens to learn about sustainability efforts made at one of Virginia’s largest attractions.
Don’t miss out on this exciting opportunity to connect and be part of the movement toward more sustainable travel in our state!
Agenda
Thursday, March 20, 2025
1:30-3pm Exhibits Open + Registration
2-2:45pm Behind-The-Scenes Sustainability Tour of Busch-Garden
3-3:10pm Welcome
3:10-3:45pm Zero Emissions Transportation: Walking, Biking and EV Options for Tourists and Locals
3:45-3:55pm Innovation Spotlight: Net Zero Emissions for Conferences & Meetings
3:50-4:15pm Making Green Tourism Fun! Beta Testing a Gaming App for Sustainable Tourism 2.0
4:15-5pm Greening the Drink: Brewers Pour One Out for Sustainability
5-6:30 pm Green Awards! The Virginia Green Travel Star Awards
6:30-9pm Park is Open – FUN AT BUSCH GARDENS!
Friday, March 21, 2025
7:30-9am Registration & Exhibits
8-8:45am Behind-The-Scenes Sustainability Tour of Busch-Garden
9-9:30am Welcome
Green Travel Update! Annual update on the State of Virginia Green Travel Program
9:25-10am Green Legislation! 2025 General Assembly Update
10-10:35am Food Service Takeaways:
– New Opportunities for Food Rescue & Composting
– Efforts to Eliminate the Use of Foam Disposables, Single-Use Plastics & Other Pollutants That Are Fouling Our Waterways
10:30 Break
10:50-11:10 Award Spotlight: Green Attraction-of-the-Year Massanutten Resort
11:10-Noon Score One for Sustainability: Greening of Sports Venues, Events and Activities
12-1:15pm Lunch and Keynote
Alicia Asmus, Environmental Health and Safety Director at United Parks and Resorts
1:15 Adjourn
1:15-9pm Park is Open – FUN AT BUSCH GARDENS!
Keynote Speaker: Alicia Asmus
United Parks & Resorts
SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment
Corporate Director of Environmental Health & Safety
Alma Mackic
UVA Sustainability
David Donaldson
University of Richmond Rethink Waste
Nancy McGehee
Virginia Tech Hospitality & Tourism Management
Dini Hajarrahmah
Virginia Tech Hospitality & Tourism Management
Brian Kelley
Christopher Newport University Sustainability
Jorden McLean
Virginia Clean Cities
Bruce Vlk
Virginia Clean Cities
Mary Rafferty
Virginia Conservation Network
Erik Felip
Patch Brewing
Jon Harahan
Port City Brewing
Ed Harris
Visit Williamsburg
Kenny Van Hook
Elation Brewing
Matt Topping
COVA Brewing
Bill Butcher
Port City Brewing
George Washington
Celebrity Host
Cyndee Dragoo
Virginia Capital Trail Foundation
Morgan Willett
Elizabeth River Trail Foundation
Justin Showalter
Data Company One
Megan Hale
City of Norfolk Sustainability
Ryan Sanders
Busch Gardens
Kayla King
Massanutten Resort
Matt Robinette
Richmond Region Tourism
Morgan Goodman
Virginia Department of Environmental Quality
John Cario
Embassy Suites
Tom Griffin
Virginia Green Travel Alliance
Christina Trapani
Clean Virginia Waterways
Kimberlee Dobbins
Virginia Beach Convention Center
Meghann Quinn
Virginia Department of Environmental Quality
Past Conference Details
