CEDIA offers up greener convention for show attendees in Denver

Sept. 3 | The Custom Electronic Design and Installation Assn. trade group for companies that design and install home theater and audio systems will unveil an eco-friendly conference to attendees at its annual tradeshow at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver, Sept. 3-7.

Among the more green practices built into CEDIA Expo 2008 is the offering of educational materials at the show free in an electronic version, reducing print waste by an estimated 90%. Attendees also will be offered the opportunity to donate $5 to CarbonFund.org to offset their carbon emissions.

CEDIA is actively working to incorporate green business practices into its daily operations. Marketing materials are being printed on Forest Stewardship Council certified paper. (The FSC developed and maintains standards for responsible forest management.)

CEDIA also has established recycling programs for paper, plastic and aluminum, instituted equipment donations to local charities and installed energy-saving eco-buttons on CEDIA computers, all in an attempt to green the CEDIA headquarters in Indianapolis.

The trade association has established a Green Task Force to research and develop educational programs about green design and operations for its membership. And the association hopes to be able to implement additional environmentally friendly initiatives at industry events going forward, including a management conference set for 2009.