Trade Expo Seminars Take On Green Feel

OCEAN CITY - The 35^th Annual Hotel-Motel-Restaurant Trade Expo, set for the Roland E. Powell Convention Center on March 8-9, will showcase how businesses can go green.

Organizers have partnered with DLITE, Delmarva Low Impact Tourism Experiences and EcoVentures International to line up experts to educate attendees on what it means to go green.  In addition to the green seminars, there are other educational seminars planned.  Here's the line-up:

Sunday, March 8

1 p.m.  'Green Initiatives from the Industry's Best: Pat Maher, American Hotel & Lodging Assn, Chris Moyer, National Restaurant Association and DE Green Lodging, Maryland Hotel & Lodging Association and the Restaurant Association of Md.

2 p.m. 'Buy Local ~ Growing Demand for Local Food Products'

2 p.m.  'Ways to Increase Hotel Sales & Improve ADR': Robert Paresi, RoomMaster & Ann Hillyer, State Ventures. 

3 p.m.  'Get Rid of the Itch, Before it Gets Rid of You': Don Luke, The Steritech Group

3 p.m. 'Sure, We Can Do That•€¦.Helping Employees Become More Productive': Joe Giordano, Consulting, Training, and Development Services.

4 p.m.            'Decoding Green ~ Practical Green Energy Management': David Levine, Capital Lighting & Supply, Allen Luzark, MD Certified Energy Auditor, Kathy Kiernan, APPI Energy Procurement.

4 p.m. 'Utilizing Security Technology: Combat Employee Theft & Protect Your Assets'             

Monday, March 9

 9-11 a.m. "Increasing Customers through Green Eco-Tourism Packages": Delmarva Low Impact Tourism Experiences (DLITE)'s Director Jim Rapp, packaging expert Helen Arthur of Boardwalk Hotel Group and Worcester County Tourism Director Lisa Challenger.

10 a.m. 'Extreme Brewing' Dogfish Head Founder Sam Calagione' Book Signing

10:30 a.m.  'The 5 Biggest Wine Service Blunders (and how to avoid them!)': Laurie Forster, The Wine Coach & author 'The Sipping Point'

11:30 a.m.             'Making Solar Power Easy': Ray Emmons, Eastern Shore Solar

12:45 p.m. "John Smith Trail: How the Trail Can Support Small Business" 

1 p.m.  'The End of Cash': Terrapin Financial Services & Taylor Bank

1:45 p.m.            "Understanding Green Mktg Terms and Potential Business Benefits": Kate Davenport, EcoVentures Int'l

2 p.m. "OSHA Made Easy...Compliance For Our Industry": Chuck Northam, Safety Resources

2:15 p.m.             "Green Cleaning - New Regulations and Cost Savings": Holt Food, Paper & Chemical

2:55 p.m.            "Greening Your Business Plan - Hands on Help": Kate Davenport, EcoVentures Int'l

The seminars are sure to educate. Expo hours are Sunday, March 8^th from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. and Monday, March 9^th from 10 a.m.-3 p.m.  Attendance is free to those who are in the trade, at least 21 and are pre-registered. Log onto www.oceancitytradeexpo.com by Feb. 27 to sign up. On-site registration is available for $10 per person with proof of being in the industry.