'World Trade Celebration' explores topic of sustainability at Conference & Event Center

World Trade Center Buffalo Niagara is holding its annual "World Trade Celebration" on the topic of "Sustainability: Transforming International Trade," at The Conference & Event Center Niagara Falls, 101 Old Falls St., Wednesday, May 20. This annual networking event attracts hundreds of American and Canadian executives involved in international trade in the binational region of upstate New York and Southern Ontario. The event includes a networking reception, trade expo, dinner and keynote presentation from 4 to 8 p.m.

Keynote speakers are Art Ghose, CEO of Curbell Inc., and William Thomas, global HTS sustainability for HSBC Bank Plc., who will provide attendees with both a local and global business perspective on the importance of sustainable practices and why they are crucial to any company.

The event also will include an optional luncheon program focused on local sustainability efforts and resources from 12:30 to 4 p.m. Attendees will be provided with information on the organizations and resources available to implement sustainable business practices. Topics for the lunch program include "Sustainability = Profitability," "Supply Chain Management," "Resource Management: Water & Energy" and "Creating a Sustainability Plan."

Additional program speakers include: Patricia Donohue, sustainable supply chain program manager, New York State Pollution Prevention Pollution Institute; Deborah Gondek, director of sustainability, Rich Products Corp.; Kim Jackson, director of engineering, Koike Aronson Inc.; Michael Jackson, distribution supervisor, Big Heart Pet Brands/Milkbone; Jim Manno, vice president of sales and marketing, Sonwil Distribution Center Inc.; Ryan McPherson, chief sustainability officer, State University of New York at Buffalo; and Mark Shriver, director of safety and environmental affairs, Curbell, Inc.

"Conference organizers were impressed with The Conference & Event Center Niagara Falls as well as its own environmentally friendly practices," said Global Spectrum's Jason Murgia, CCNF general manager. "Through Global Spectrum's company-wide 'Step Up' program, a sustainability team has been established at the CCNF. This team strives to produce sustainable events to promote superior experiences and adding the corporate social responsibility component to daily activities to ensure future successors in a clean and safe environment."

Some of the CCNF's sustainability practices include:

• Recycling stations throughout the facility
• Separate disposal of trash, cardboard, pallets and grease
• Use of glass, linen, china and silver, and bulk condiments
• Use of local food vendors to create a 100-mile menu and minimize "food miles"
• "Smart" office practices including two-sided printing, email and proper toner disposal
• Use of eco-friendly cleaning products and disposable items
• Educating the community to promote green practices
• Incorporating a meeting planner "Green Meeting" checklist
• Asking vendors to donate unused promotion items to our local schools and charities
• Use of lower wattage bulbs throughout the facility
• Utilization of natural light
• Enrolled in Power Pay program by Energy Curtailment Specialists Inc., to assist in energy conservation practices
• Web-based HVAC environmental control system
• Use of low-flow toilets
• Touch-free water faucets
• Purchase of Energy Star products
• Use of hand air dryers in restrooms
• IACC Gold Star Green Program certified

For more information or to register for the conference, visit www.wtcbn.com.

The Conference & Event Center Niagara Falls is owned by USA Niagara Development Corp., a subsidiary of Empire State Development. The Conference & Event Center and Old Falls Street, USA, are managed by Global Spectrum (global-spectrum.com).