Portland, Ore.
www.meetgreen.com
Nancy J. Zavada is a principal with MeetGreen, a conference management and consulting firm specializing in green meetings that she founded in 1994. She began her career in the industry in 1978.
Internationally recognized as a leader in the environmentally responsible meeting and event management field, Nancy served on the Live Earth Global Green Team and was named one of "The 25 Most Influential People in the Meetings Industry" by Meeting News Magazine in 2003 and 2008. She received the “Achievement for Innovation in Hospitality Award” from the Institute for Innovation and Economic Development, California State University in 2010. She is cofounder of the Green Meeting Industry Council and currently serves on the GMIC Sustainable Meetings Foundation Board. Nancy is coauthor of “Simple Steps to Green Meetings and Events.” Her blog, “Pretentious Musings of a Meet Green Martyr” (http://blog.meetgreen.com) offers resources, tips, ideas and funny stories about the life of a green meeting planner.
What is an unusual aspect of your job: Nothing very unusual, although since I founded the firm in 1994, I have always pushed myself to remain outside of my “comfort zone.”
Favorite book: Both The Prophet and Go Dog Go. Don’t make me choose.
Favorite food: Pizza
Favorite TV show: Modern Family when I need a good laugh
Favorite movie: Notorious by Alfred Hitchcock
Most unique place you’ve been: Exploring the Emily G. Reed shipwreck in Rockaway, Ore.
Favorite aspect of the meetings/travel industry: The people. There are so many good-hearted, intelligent professionals.
Pet peeve: People who bring huge amounts of carry-on luggage onboard a plane and expect everyone else to make room.
One thing about you that most people don’t know: I write a blog about life on the Oregon Coast.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received in our industry? Change is inevitable, stay ahead of the curve.
What’s your favorite local/regional place to take a visitor to your area? To the Oregon Coast
Is there anything else you’d like to add that we’ve overlooked? I feel passionately about both the hospitality industry and the Earth. I believe we can make our industry more sustainable.
