Published:
By Ciara Hooks
The New Britain Museum of American Art is hosting the 15th annual Global Environmental Sustainability Symposium, in partnership with Central Connecticut State University, Thursday, April 14.
The symposium centered on sustainable tourism and hospitality will be a full-day event consisting of several informational sessions led by experts in the field. The symposium coordinator this year is Dr. Jeffery Kreeger and the welcome, at 12:45 p.m., will be by Dr. Charles E. Button, chair of the Geography & Sustainability Department at CCSU and founder of the Global Environmental Sustainability Action Coalition (GESAC).
“Sustainability in tourism and hospitality continues to be an ongoing objective, which is actively being demanded not only by guests and customers, but also by business owners,” Button and Kreeger said in a joint statement. “Benefits of sustainable activities not only benefit the environment, but in many cases can also present a more profitable option – a win-win scenario. Therefore, it is imperative that those in tourism and hospitality remain current in their information and awareness about sustainability challenges facing their industries so they can develop strategies and improve operating systems in order to mitigate and adapt these challenges to appease all actors involved, but more importantly manage the limited resources available on our planet.”
Following the opening address will be Session A: Sustainable Tourism, led by Kiva Couchon, director of Industry Affairs at the Arizona Office of Tourism. Session B will be led by Rose Forrest, CEC, Sodexo Sustainability Coordinator MA/RI and will focus on food and beverage sustainability. Session C: Hotel Sustainability will be led by Jay Mitchell, regional vice president of operations at Buffalo Lodging Associates, LLC. Session D: Event Planning Sustainability will be led by Melody Zielke, a senior in tourism and hospitality studies and president of THS Club at CCSU.
From 5-6:30 p.m. will be a Research Poster Session and Social Mixer.
“The information being shared at the upcoming 15th Annual Global Environmental Sustainability Symposium will help attendees develop strategies for a sustainable future,” Button and Kreeger added.
CCSU students, faculty, administrators and NBMAA members are free, but advanced registration is requested. All others must purchase a ticket to the museum in order to attend. Those interested can register for individual sessions or the full day.
The New Britain Museum of American Art is located on 56 Lexington Street.
Learn more and register for this event at nbmaa.org/events/environmental-sustainability-symposium. If you are interested in presenting a poster at the Research Poster Session contact Button at buttonche@ccsu.edu.