GMIC GWA Becomes Newest Official Chapter

GMIC Greater Washington Area Chapter Becomes Official Chapter

PORTLAND, OR – Dec 5, 2012 – Today the Green Meeting Industry Council (GMIC) announces the official launch of the GMIC Greater Washington Area Chapter. The Greater Washington Area Chapter is headquartered in Washington, DC and serves GMIC members and the meetings and events community in Virginia, Maryland and the District of Columbia. The chapter’s mission is to improve the sustainability of events held within the Greater Washington Area and to enable local members, through education and collaboration, to plan and implement sustainable meetings across the world.

The inaugural chapter officers and board members include Kimberly Lewis (Past President) US Green Building Council, Cara Unterkofler (President) Greenview, Peggy Cusack (Vice President) Rendezvous Consulting Group, Lisa MacArthur (Secretary) Virginia Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau, and Rebecca Murphy (Treasurer) National Association of College and University Business Officers.

"The GMIC GWA leadership team has been working hard for over a year to officially form the chapter and develop a strategic plan for engaging members. We’re excited to now be transitioning from forming and filing to hosting engaging and fresh educational activities,” says GMIC GWA Chapter President, Cara Unterkofler.

"GMIC Global is pleased to have an official chapter presence in Washington, DC and the surrounding area, as it is the national epicenter for association and government meeting professionals. We are delighted to have amazing local leadership in DC to champion the integration of sustainability, as a strategic value driver, into the delivery of successful meetings and events,” remarks GMIC Global Executive Director, Tamara Kennedy-Hill.

For meeting planners, suppliers and venues interested in learning more about how to plan and implement events that have a reduced environmental impact and increased social impact, the GMIC GWA plans to hold "Meet DC" events. These tailored events will allow members and interested planners to engage inan in-depth review of one aspect of sustainable event planning and examine it's application first-hand. Additionally, the Chapter is connecting with other meeting planning organizations to co-host training and informational sessions.

"Our goal is to be a resource in the niche area of "green meetings” to other organizations serving the event planning community. Reducing waste, increasing efficiency, supporting the local community, and strengthening your brand are things all event planners and suppliers should be knowledgeable about and can benefit from,” says Kimberly Lewis, Past Chapter President and Senior Vice President of Community Advancement, Conference & Events at USGBC.

For more information on the GMIC GWA Chapter, planners and suppliers can visit www.gmicglobal.org/washingtondc. For more information on membership and events, contact Peggy Cusack cusack@rendezvousconsulting.com.

About GMIC Global
The Green Meeting Industry Council is a 501(c)(6) non-profit organization whose mission is to transform the global meetings industry through sustainability. The Council is a professional organization with member affiliates in 20 countries, which champions the implementation of sustainability practices and provides advocacy, education, resources, and recognition of industry leadership. www.gmicglobal.org

About GMIC Greater Washington Area Chapter
The GMIC Greater Washington Area Chapter is a 501(c)(6) non-profit organization based in Washington, DC. The Chapter’s mission is to improve the sustainability of events held within the Greater Washington Area and to enable members and community planners, through education and collaboration, to plan and implement sustainable meetings across the country. www.gmicglobal.org/washingtondc