PRESS RELEASES from The Denver 2008 Convention Host Committee

City and Host Committee Announce Director for Greening Efforts
August 15, 2007
 
(DENVER) In support of its commitment to make the 2008 Democratic National Convention the “greenest” national political convention to date, the City and County of Denver and the Local Host Committee announced the selection of longtime Colorado environmental advocate Parry Burnap to lead the City and Host Committee’s convention greening efforts.

As Director of Greening for Denver’s Host Committee, Burnap will lead the community-based Greening Subcommittee to promote and foster sustainable operations, policies and practices. Burnap will be physically located in the Denver Mayor’s Office – to facilitate coordination with and benefits for the Greenprint Denver Program – but the position will be entirely supported by private contributions exclusive of the City and Host Committee.

“The 2008 Democratic National Convention represents not only a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Denver and Colorado, but a transformational opportunity for incorporating a sustainability ethic into national conventions,” said Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper, who launched the City’s Greenprint Denver program in 2005. “Parry Burnap will play a key role in ensuring that the convention will be a national model of environmental responsibility.”

Burnap will direct the design and implementation of a “greening work plan” that will focus on setting new standards of environmental stewardship through improving sustainability and creating ground-breaking legacies as part of the City and Host Committee’s convention planning efforts. The work plan will also concentrate on minimizing and offsetting any potential adverse environmental impacts. Major areas of analysis include offsets of projected climate impacts, transportation, energy and water conservation, purchasing, waste minimization, environmental education and supporting our region’s leading environmental performing companies. Burnap will provide green expertise and guidance to the City and the Host Committee.

“Because the Host Committee has been so committed to hosting this convention responsibly from the outset of all planning efforts, Denver is already well positioned to host an event that will create new models for ‘greening’ with the 2008 Democratic National Convention,” said Burnap. “I look forward to helping to implement Denver’s vision that this convention leaves a permanent environmental capacity that is endures beyond the departure of the last delegate.”

Elbra Wedgeworth, President of the Host Committee, said, “Parry’s involvement in the convention planning efforts reinforces our commitment to the greening of the convention.”

Rob Katz, Chief Executive Officer of Vail Resorts, which is leading the green sponsorship efforts for the convention, said “We applaud the City and Host Committee’s decision to bring a greening director on board. It is an important step forward in incorporating the best practices for the convention that will showcase what we are doing to protect the spectacular natural environment that our state has to offer.”

Burnap most recently worked for Terrachord, a small business she co-founded in 2002 to promote information technology-driven environmental solutions for industry, government and the general public. At Terrachord, she helped to lead the design, facilitation and implementation of four National Environmental Partnership Summits and the first Denver World Oil Forum.

She previously spent nine years as the Pollution Prevention Program Manager for the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) and was responsible for shifting the agency’s policies and activities from pollution treatment and control to prevention. During this time Burnap also served as the Project Director for Colorado’s first watershed program, the Clear Creek Watershed Forum.

For five years Burnap served as the Director of Special Projects and Communications for the Center for Resource Management, a nonprofit founded by Robert Redford whose mission was to solve environmental problems by bringing opposing sides together in forums and special projects. Burnap also held the position of Director of Governmental Affairs at Colorado Ski Country USA and was a Special Assistant to former Colorado Governor Richard D. Lamm.

Burnap has served on the Board of Directors of the National Pollution Prevention Roundtable, the Northeast Metro Pollution Prevention Alliance, the Western Center for Environmental Decision-Making, the Colorado Environmental Coalition and the Advisory Council for the Colorado Environmental Business Alliance. Former Colorado Governor Roy Romer appointed her to the Citizen’s Advisory Council on the Environment, and she served on former Denver Mayor Wellington Webb’s Sustainability Task Force.

Burnap received a bachelor’s degree in human biology with an emphasis on environmental policy from Stanford University and a master’s degree in community development with an emphasis in public administration from the University of Kentucky.

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Vail Resorts Pledges Support for 2008 Denver Convention
August 13, 2007
 
(DENVER, CO) The Denver 2008 Convention Host Committee today announced the financial support of Vail Resorts and the company’s help in encouraging others to support the greening efforts of the 2008 Democratic National Convention in Denver. Vail Resorts’ strong showing of support is indicative of the enthusiasm throughout the Colorado business community for the Denver convention August 25 – 28, 2008.

As a cornerstone of all convention planning, the Denver 2008 Convention Host Committee aims to weave “green” principles into all planning, operations and activities. The Host Committee is committed to the use of recycled materials and sustainable resources throughout the organizing process and to creating a green footprint for future conventions. Vail Resorts’ contribution will help fund these efforts.

To help kick off the “greening” efforts, Vail Resorts will also provide eco-friendly lanyards and credential holders using 100 percent recycled materials, which will be provided to over 15,000 members of the media and guests for use throughout convention week.

The Denver 2008 Convention Host Committee’s commitment to planning a green convention compliment Vail Resorts’ ongoing efforts to operate a successful business while simultaneously promoting environmental stewardship. Vail will play a leadership role in helping to recruit other companies to support the convention’s green efforts.

Governor Bill Ritter, a Denver 2008 Convention Executive Committee member, stated, "One of the reasons I've made Colorado's New Energy Economy such a high priority is because it is good for the environment, and the environment is the foundation of Colorado tourism and our ski industry. Vail Resorts is an environmental leader in the tourism industry and has made a significant contribution to Colorado's environment and our New Energy Economy by offsetting 100 percent of its energy needs with wind power credits and reducing carbon dioxide emissions at its facilities. I'm pleased to see Vail Resorts continuing this effort by contributing to sustainability at the 2008 convention as well."

Rob Katz, CEO of Vail Resorts, Inc., said, “At Vail Resorts, our mission is to provide our guests exceptional experiences at extraordinary resorts, all of which are located in spectacular settings. We have a special obligation to protect the natural environment in which we operate and are proud to support the greening efforts of the 2008 Democratic National Convention and play a significant role in the environmental leadership demonstrated by the Denver 2008 Convention Host Committee. Our sponsorship of the 2008 convention is an important way for our Company to help the State of Colorado showcase all of the natural beauty it has to offer."

Elbra Wedgeworth, President of the Denver 2008 Convention Host Committee, said, "Vail Resorts contribution reinforces the support throughout Colorado for the Denver Convention. Vail's contribution exemplifies their community philosophy, and their sponsorship will help lead the Host Committee’s efforts to green the convention." The convention is slated to take place August 25–28, 2008, and expected to bring 35,000 visitors to Denver including 15,000 members of the national and international media. In addition to showcasing Denver and the Rocky Mountain West to audiences around the globe, estimates indicate that Denver will reap $160 million in economic benefits.

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