Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker awarded the Salt Lake Convention & Visitors Bureau (SLCVB) an e2 Business Certificate on May 27, 2008, the first e2 Business Certificate awarded during Mayor Becker's term. The e2 certification recognizes the Salt Lake CVB's commitment to the environment and the community.

"The Convention and Visitor Bureau's participation in the e2 program typifies the kind of message we want to send to people considering a visit to our Capital City: Salt Lake City is a place committed to the sustainability of its beautiful mountains and natural, welcoming setting," said Mayor Becker.

The Salt Lake City Environmentally and Economically sustainable (e2) business program is designed to recognize and support the Salt Lake City business community and economy.
E2 is a national program with the objective of protecting the environment while building economic prosperity. E2 serves as a champion on the economic side of good environmental policy by taking a reasoned, economically sound approach to environmental issues. E2 works at both the state and national levels through its bipartisan efforts.

"As our tagline states, Salt Lake is ‘Different by Nature,'" said Scott Beck, president & CEO of the SLCVB. "As an organization that represents Salt Lake domestically and internationally, we felt it was critical that the Bureau actually live up to that statement and promote the healthy, natural setting of our community. Adhering to a strict ‘green policy' does not just make good business sense, it's simply the right thing to do for our generation and for all generations that will follow. We're incredibly fortunate to have such an incredibly beautiful natural setting here in Salt Lake, and by making a commitment to the environment we're simply enhancing the well being of our own backyard for the enjoyment of both locals and visitors alike."

A few of the environmentally-friendly programs the SLCVB has adopted include the typical recycling of paper and plastic products, limiting of e-mail printing, requiring two-sided copies, turning off all office lights when not in use, and purchasing flatware, glassware and silverware for employee break rooms (discontinuing the use paper plates and plastic utensils and cups). A not-so typical program the SLCVB undertook was the purchase of five "cruiser bikes" for staff use around the community, cutting down dramatically the number of automobile trips taken.

Participation in the e2 program includes a strong commitment to conserving energy, water and other natural resources, reducing waste and pollution, participating in responsible waste management and recycling programs, and continually improving procedures to further reduce any negative environmental impacts. For more information on Salt Lake City's e2 program, visit www.slcgreen.com/e2business/default.htm.

The Salt Lake Convention & Visitors Bureau is a private, non-profit corporation responsible for the promotion of Salt Lake as a convention and travel destination. Salt Lake is a unique fusion of metropolitan city and quaint mountain town; the towering Wasatch Mountains that embrace Salt Lake offer a dramatic backdrop to the vibrancy and activities of downtown. Having completed a $58 million expansion in 2006, the Salt Palace Convention Center now boasts 679,000 square feet of exhibit and meeting space, ideal for groups of all sizes and needs. For more information on all that Salt Lake has to offer, visit www.VisitSaltLake.com.