Having staged its first climate-neutral general meeting on 2 and 3 July 2007 in Wiesbaden the GCB German Convention Bureau is setting a good example and exploring new avenues regarding climate change. The greenhouse gases caused by the event - e.g. by local energy consumption, delegate travel and overnights, catering and the production of info material - were offset by GCB investments in a wind park project.

The delegates received a personal certificate confirming that both their attendance and the event itself was climate-neutral. In its invitation the GCB had also asked members to use Deutsche Bahn`s environment-friendly and low-priced Event Ticket to travel to Wiesbaden.

Nobody can dispute that climate protection is now of fundamental importance for mankind and we want to show that everybody can make a contribution. We are happy to have set an example for climate protection here, says GCB managing director Lutz P. Vogt.

For implementing this project the GCB drew on the support of ClimatePartner, a specialist in the development of business models for voluntary climate protection.

Petra A. Deuter new GCB board member

The general meeting featured new board elections in the hotel chapter: GCB members elected Petra A. Deuter, Vice President Global Sales & Distribution with Accor Germany, as a new board member. Born in the USA and raised in Germany, the manager spent a major part of her life in North and South America. Among other employers, Deuter formerly worked for Lufthansa.

47 new members in the first half of 2007

At the general meeting the GCB welcomed many new members: 47 providers of meeting and event services in Germany have joined the marketing organisation since January 2007. GCB boss Vogt said: We are very happy about this surge in companies from the meetings and conventions sector. This confirms our strategy, will strengthen us even further and therefore benefit all members and the meeting industry in Germany as a whole.

Host Kurhaus Wiesbaden celebrates centennial

Kurhaus Wiesbaden, the venue of the GCB`s general meeting, celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2007. We would like to say a big thank you for the support from the Kurhaus, which enriched this year`s general meeting with its ambience and professionalism, said Vogt.