S TAT E C A P I TO L , L A N S I N G
GIVING BACK
How members support their communities and the environment and help visitors do the same By Kelly Skarritt-Williams
CONVENTION AND VISITOR BUREAUS (CVBs) are key participants in the communities they serve. They know the ins and outs of the community and where they can best provide service or have an impact. For that reason, they are uniquely situated to help event planners find ways to give back, or make eco-conscious decisions. For meeting planners looking to bring in some environmental considerations or plan a hands-on group activity, the CVB contact can connect you with the right people and organizations to accommodate your group and meet expectations and education goals. Ann Arbor is a natural fit for an eco-friendly event. Many Ann Arbor restaurants focus on locally sourced food, plant-based cuisine and beverages, as well as sustainable
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Meet in Michigan // visitmichigan.org
approaches to packaging. Learn about exotic animals while supporting a conservancy at the Creature Conservancy, which works hard to educate visitors about the perils of
exotic pet ownership. Visitors to Ann Arbor can be environmentally conscious when choosing options for lodging, too. Many area hotels are green leaders, committed to sustainability. You will find accommodations with electric car charging stations, low-flow plumbing, energy-efficient lighting, and robust recycling programs. The Destination Ann Arbor staff is ready to help you plan your next event with sustainable options in mind. Volunteerism is often what makes a community go ’round, and the Sault Ste. Marie CVB strives to model what it preaches. “We have worked hand in hand with the Downtown Development Authority to support their Michigan Main Street Project initiative to help improve the area through renovation, beautification and a renewed spirit of volunteerism among the community,” says Linda Hoath, executive director of the Sault Ste. Marie CVB. Sault Ste. Marie CVB donates time and effort to raise money every year to support good causes in the area. “The Sault Ste. Marie CVB has assisted our youth through donations to sports teams, our veterans through a fishing club, our Chippewa County Historical Society, renovations to a historic ice rink and
P H OTO S CO U RT ESY O F: D ES T I N AT I O N A N N A R B O R; T H O M A S G EN N A R A
B O R D E R TO B O R D E R T R A I L , A N N A R B O R
