Visit the Green Street Exhibitor Section, as well as attend our Green Street Planning Seminars.

They wanted to do an article on Green Weddings pointing out that this is the new trend happening accross the country. Each of us had a chance to talk to Judy and tell her a little about our goals for a “greener” earth, starting with Greener Weddings, Greener Corporate Parties, Birthday Parties, you name it!

We got two full pages and a nice large image! Read it here!

Corporate “Green”

Putting on an Environmentally Friendly Corporate Event

What does it take to put on a corporate meeting or convention? Plastic name tags, paper handouts and brochures, plastic pens and other promotional items, disposable cutlery, dishes, napkins and water bottles – enough to make a mountain, or a landfill!

What does it take to put on a “green” corporate meeting or convention? Biodegradable sticker name tags, information provided electronically on DVD or printed on paper made from 100% Post Consumer Waste certified by the Forest Stewardship Council, edible or recyclable promotional items, biodegradable cutlery and dishes, recycled paper napkins, and tap water served in biodegradable cups – enough to fill a recycling bin.

It seems like it would be easy to choose the more environmentally responsible option. So why isn’t everyone doing it? Many companies have decided to make the switch, and with the Green Revolution gaining momentum, many more will soon follow. The reality is however, that the current market for environmentally friendly corporate event products and services is under serviced. To accommodate the needs of this budding sector, a group of Winnipeg entrepreneurs have teamed up to fill this void. Eco Luxe Event Design Group is a creative collective of environmentally conscious companies that work together to create a custom designed event “greenprint.”

Eco Luxe Event Design Group consists of greenvites eco-stationery by Pulp & Circumstance, My Secret Garden Floral Design, Sweet Impressions cookies and cupcakes, and Off The Page Photography. Eco Luxe Spokesperson Yoko Chapman, Owner of Pulp & Circumstance, recently introduced her new greenvites eco-stationery line. “The decision to offer an earth-friendly product was an easy one,” says Chapman. “I’ve been developing my line of stationery for five years, and have conducted a great deal of research in the area of green event products and services. Every time I open a magazine, newspaper, or turn on the television, I see something green. The Green Revolution is gaining momentum in Canada and it’s been a long time in coming. Environmental considerations when purchasing products and services are not just a trend. The Green Revolution has created more than just a niche market for environmentally friendly products and services, it’s a permanent social shift. The demand for sustainable green corporate event products and services is here to stay.”

The greenvites eco-stationery line by Pulp & Circumstance, an online Winnipeg-based company, can be seen at www.greenvites.com. The greenvites line offers 100% Post Consumer Waste products that are Forest Stewardship Council certified. Products by greenvites include invitations, menus, programs, name tags, place cards, DVD covers, all of which are made from consumer waste that’s been collected from recycling programs. The FSC certification ensures that these printed paper products are made from responsibly harvested fibres and are printed with vegetable-based biodegradable inks. Unique to Pulp & Circumstance is the greenvites Recycling Program which offers a used stationery collection service, and a recycling program that refurbishes used stationery into blank note cards. A percentage of the sales from the greenvites Redeemed line of note cards is donated to the FSC in an effort to offset the event’s environmental impact.

Floral Designer, Bonny Fraser owner of My Secret Garden, has chosen to offer biodegradable packaging and products, composting services, and supports growers with high environmental and socially responsible standards. “For as long as I can remember, I have always been passionate about flowers. I have used them throughout my life to mark celebrations, to convey mood and sentiment. Flowers add a sense of occasion to any event. Each of us in our own way, must think about our approach to life and the way in which we treat the whole of nature, and our precious resources,” says Fraser. Samples of Fraser’s work can be seen on her website, www.mysecretgardendesign.com.

Sweet Impressions, also a Winnipeg-based online company, offers unique hand-iced cookies and cupcakes. These edible promotional items can include a corporate logo on a cookie or cupcake, and can even be used as place cards. Included in their new green menu, are products made from organic or vegan ingredients which can be wrapped in clear, compostable bags made from eucalyptus trees, and tied with biodegradable cotton or silk ribbon. Business partners Krista Robertson and Lindsay Rakowski, say that “Sweet Impressions offers a decadent cupcake menu which includes The Flavour of the Month Club, The Cupcake Coffee Break, and The Corporate Bite.” Their cupcake menu can be downloaded from their website, www.sweetimpressions.ca. The cupcakes are only available locally (lucky Winnipeg), however their one-of-a-kind cookies can be shipped anywhere in North America.

Winnipeg Photographer, Patty Boge from Off The Page Photography, says she has been offering green photography services for the past five years, including on-site event coverage and group photo shoots, corporate head shots and studio portrait services. Boge uses professional digital equipment, eliminating the need for film and harmful chemicals. She also offers a paperless online photo gallery and DVD proofs for viewing images. She can also create a custom online promotional album, or corporate DVD. “My clients love being able to view their photos online and have the option to share their images with their clients electronically,” says Boge. Samples of Boge’s work can be seen on her website, www.offthepagephotography.com.

Eco Luxe Event Design Group will be celebrating their official launch in the new Birks jewelry store at 191 Lombard Avenue in the Exchange, on April 17^th. The event will showcase how beautiful a green event can be. “We have been working to build a green event product and service resource list for our clients known as Friends of Eco Luxe.” Chapman explains, “We are confident our products and services will make hosting an earth-friendly event simple and affordable for everyone.”

The Eco Luxe Event Design Group, and the Friends of Eco Luxe resource list can be seen online at www.ecoluxewinnipeg.com.