WASHINGTON, D.C.
Mark S. Andrew, CMP, CHA, Regional Vice President and General Manager, Fairmont Washington, D.C., Georgetown has been appointed Chairman for the Green Meetings Industry Council (GMIC) Sustainable Meetings Foundation along with its 2013-2014 Board of Trustees for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2014.
In his role as Chairman, Andrew reportedly plans to move the Foundation’s 2013-2014 capital campaign forward via new initiatives. One such initiative includes the assemblage of a cookbook entitled ‘Unspoiled’—a compilation of recipes produced by chefs and others on food waste solutions for kitchens and supply chains. Proceeds from the sale of ‘Unspoiled’ will go directly to supporting food banks and the GMIC Sustainable Meetings Foundation.
“According to the Natural Resources Defense Council, the U.S. manages to waste $165 Billion in food each year. GMIC Foundation’s Capital Campaign expands the mission of the Green Meeting Industry Council in creating more sustainable tomorrows for the next generation,” stated Andrew.
The Foundation’s Trustee roster of top hospitality professionals for 2013-2014 includes:
2013-2014 GMIF Board of Directors:
• Chairman: Mark S. Andrew, CMP, CHA, Regional Vice President and General Manager, Fairmont Washington, D.C., Georgetown
• Vice Chairman: Carrie Abernathy, CMP, CEM, CSEP
Director of Education, Training & Events, Practice Greenhealth & Health Care Without Harm
• Treasurer: Chris Brophy, Vice President-Corporate Sustainability, MGM Resorts International
• Past Chair: Richard Aaron, CMP, CSEP, President, BizBash Media
2013-2015 GMIF Trustees
• Scott Beck, President and CEO, Salt Lake City Convention and Visitors Bureau
• Diana K. Bulger, Area Director, Public Relations, Fairmont Washington, D.C., Georgetown
• Harith Wickerma, President, Harith Productions, Ltd, Adjunct Professor, Temple University School of Tourism and Hospitality
GMIF Trustees through 2014
• Cary Broussard, Partner, Broussard Global, Author, From Cinderella to CEO/Adjunct Professor, New York University.
• Joseph Cozza, Catering Sales Leader, New York, Marriot International Global Sales
• Charles Chan Massey, CMP, Founder and CEO, SYNAXIS Meetings and Events
Staff:
• Executive Director: Mariela McIlwraith, CMP, CMM, MBA
The Foundation officially launched its first capital campaign for the year 2013 to raise funds to support several GMIC education initiatives and scholarships. The fundraising was directed to the entire hospitality, meeting, exposition and event industry. The Foundation is also be engaged in seeking grant opportunities and noteworthy research regarding areas of sustainable practices to enhance the scope of knowledge in the field of practice.
The GMIC Sustainable Meetings Foundation will be supporting the annual meeting of the GMIC, to be held April 15-17, 2014 at the Hilton Union Square in San Francisco, CA. This year's conference will bring sustainable event thought leaders and practitioners together to discuss innovation in sustainability for the meetings industry.
