June 30 - July 4th, 2006
OUR HOTEL AND THE SURROUNDING AREA
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Hilton Vancouver WA &
Vancouver Convention Center Opened June 15th, 2005 offering 226 guest rooms and an attached Convention Center with 30,000 square feet of flexible meeting space. The facility is located in the heart of downtown Vancouver and is part of the City of Vancouver's overall downtown revitalization plan. You will have a unique opportunity for a BEHIND THE SCENES TOUR OF THIS VERY GREEN HOTEL'S COMPOSTING SYSTEM! http://www.subudusa.org/SUSACongress08/Workshops.html HOW GREEN IS OUR CONGRESS HOTEL?
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| Our "green hotel" is an inspiration, as you can see below. We will invite the hotel do do a display about their green "best practices", as a part of our ENTERPRISE DISPLAYS. You also will have a chance to take a behind the scene tour of the hotel,to see what their composting system is like, and see the otherwise invisible aspects of the property which make the hotel so "green." Hilton Vancouver Washington and Vancouver Convention Center opened in June 2005 as the First LEED® Certified Hilton Hotel in the world. The certification for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design is awarded by the U.S. Green Building Council to buildings that meet a strict set of standards in the areas of Sustainable Site Development, Safeguarding Water and Water Efficiency, Energy Efficiency, Material Selection, Conservation of Resources and Indoor Environmental quality. In the very near future, they will receive the Green Seal Certification for operational efficiency and effectiveness, making it the first lodging property in the world to hold both distinctions. The key to their success is in the dedication and determination of the Green Energy Management team, with representatives from each department, and the support of the Executive Team. |
Creating a
sustainable and environmentally friendly property takes the
participation of everyone, the staff, the community and even the
guests. There are recycling containers in the front and back of the hotel, as well as in each guest room. The restaurant, kitchen and banquet departments compost all the food waste and a variety of other compostable materials. Unused banquet food and partially used amenities are donated to a variety of local shelters and food service programs. Share House is a Homeless Shelter here in town - they provide two meals a day out of this small little kitchen. Our staff volunteers the last Tuesday of every month in the kitchen. We also donate our unused shampoo and TP to the shelter. Subud USA’s leftovers will go to Share House. The focus for 2008 is reducing waste by 40% and a comprehensive team member education and training program to keep everyone engaged and the program sustainable. |
| Princess Ilchee This statue, overlooking the Columbia River, honors the daughter of a 19th century Chinook chief. According to Native American lore, Ilchee had the power of a shaman. Waterfront Renaissance Trail, Columbia River Drive, Vancouver |
 Click to enlarge |
Right by the Hilton is the Vancouver Farmers' Market - open year round. The indoor market is an eclectic mixture of food, high-end crafts, farm-direct produce and thriving nursery stock. From April through October, the streets adjacent to the indoor Market and Esther Short Park, are blocked off every weekend and the Market is expanded into a bustling outdoor extravaganza with 150+ vendors offering local produce, plants, arts, crafts and entertainment. For more information on the market, visit http://www.vancouverfarmersmarket.com |
| More about Vancouver:
The city of Vancouver, the fourth largest and most southwestern city in the state of Washington, has a population of 154,800. It is located in Clark County, the oldest county in Washington state, which has a total population of 391,500. Southwest Washington enjoys beautiful summers and mild winters. Contrary to popular belief, the area gets far less rainfall than many popular destination cities including New York and Houston. This area is full of exciting places to visit. A day trip takes you to Mt. St. Helens; across the street from the hotel is a beautiful park with interactive water play fountains. There are live concerts there in the summer. |
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See photos of Vancouver and the Columbia River:
http://www.subudusa.org/SUSACongress06/VancouverScenery.html
Fort Vancouver is down the road, dripping with history, and you can take a steamboat ride in an old paddle wheeler up river. The Pendleton Blanket Factory is nearby, and the Pearson Air Museum has a one of a kind collection on vintage airplanes (not to mention 1900's style dance parties at night!). There's a world famous glass works down the street. And how about a guided ghostwalk tour at night at Officers Row at the old fort? And then there's the wildlife refuge...
We expect to
arrange some tours for you.
Check back here for further information! |
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Learn more at http://www.southwestwashington.com |
Photos courtesy of SW
Washington Visitors Bureau, and the Hilton Hotel.
Webmaster for the Congress 2008 web pages: Leonard Dixon