Baxter Travel Media is continuing its committed to making RTTF 2008 an environmentally
responsible event and we are working closely with all stakeholders to plan
and implement a conference which will reflect green meeting best practices.

Our aim is to make RTTF carbon neutral by minimizing our environmental footprint as much as possible and then offsetting what cannot be reduced any further.

This environmental statement intends to inform and educate our stakeholders
of the actions being taken.

1. Venue

RTTF’s host hotel this year is Hilton Toronto.

The following initiatives will be in place for October 14 and 15, 2008

Food, Beverage and Catering Services

• Use of cloth, ceramic and glass instead of paper and plastic.

• Use of cream pitchers and sugar bowls rather than creamers and sugar envelopes.

• Use of juice pitchers and cereal bowls instead of individual packages.
• Use of water pitchers instead of bottled water.

• Use of mugs and biodegradable cups instead of recyclable plastic

• Purchase of products and services that meet environmental. Specifications wherever these are available such as fair trade coffee, organic and locally grown foods.

• Meals will be planned according to seasonal fruit and vegetables available locally. The menu is to be decided based on these considerations.

• Information on the source of all food and beverages, especially if fair trade or local will be made available.

• Donate leftover food to a charity such as Second Harvest.

Energy and Water

Promote energy and water efficiency to participants and outline Hilton Toronto’s current initiatives for conservation. These are:

• Hotel reduced hydro consumption by installing energy efficient light fixtures in some parts of the hotel.

• Hotel is currently working on a program to reduce gas consumption by installing high efficiency boilers.

Waste Reuse, Recycle and Reduction

• Inform conference participants of waste reduction and recycling programs by promoting environmental awareness in RTTF’s pre-convention communication.

• Separate waste at the source for future recycling. Provide visible bins.

• Use appropriate recycling bins in all areas, place in central locations, readily available and clearly

• Give purchasing priority to recyclable and post-consumer recycled products.

• Use drymark eraser boards rather than paper in presentations.

2. Carbon Emissions

All activities related to the event create a Carbon Dioxide (CO2e) footprint. Our
environmental firm and sponsor Pinchin Environmental
will conduct an emissions assessment which will include:

• Direct Emissions from the conference venue

• Transportation of attendees, organizers, presenters to and from the Conference

• Accommodation

• Emissions associated with disposal of waste products

The result of the assessment will be made available at the conference.

3. Carbon Neutral Conference

The emissions’ assessment report will provide us with the approximate amount of CO2e generated by the conference.

Following strategies to further reduce the environmental impact of the meeting’s activities, we will offset what cannot be eliminated. Our carbon offset provider and sponsor Offsetters will allocate the equivalent CO2e in offset projects such as renewable energy.

Project types and location will be available at a later date.

4. Distribution Of Conference Material

We are committed to using paperless technology as much as it is possible and
this will include the distribution of speakers’ presentations, event
information and the publication of the RTTF showcase edition.  The event’s
program and speakers’ biographies, which will be distributed the day
of the conference, will be printed on recycled paper and vegetable
based inks.

RTTF conference bags and/or any other items which may be distributed to the
delegates will follow a green procurement strategy and will include materials
made of natural fibers which can be recycled and are biodegradable.

We encourage our sponsors to also distribute their promotional material in
a paperless manner and/or on recycled paper where possible.

5. Staff, Delegates and Sponsors’ Transportation

Although we aim to make this conference carbon neutral, we encourage all the
participants to find the most environmentally friendly   way to come
to the venue. This may include  taking public transportation, sharing
car rides with colleagues, taking a non-strop flight, coming by train or coach
if time and distance allows,  and  why not walk or bike if nearby.

We will update the environmental statement periodically.

Please help us to make RTTF 2008 an even more environmentally responsible event.

Do not hesitate to contct us with any questions and / or suggestions.