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Join us Thursday, February 23rd from 10:30a.m. to 12:30 at the Bertschinger Center, Egg Harbor For a presentation being offered by Representatives from the Dept. of Tourism on this exciting pilot program being offered to Door County businesses.
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A Pilot Program Introduction
Travel Green Wisconsin has been developed based upon goals set forth by the Sustainable Tourism Ad Hoc Committee (a work group composed of representatives from the tourism industry, government, and nonprofits); existing certification programs; and the Mohonk Agreement. Details about these other certification programs and the Mohonk Agreement can be found at www.travelgreenwisconsin.com .
What is Travel Green Wisconsin? The Wisconsin Department of Tourism and Wisconsin Environmental Initiative recognize, through travel research, that Wisconsin’s most popular attraction is its natural resources, cultural diversity, and the wildlife that make their home in the state. Efforts to preserve these attractions for generations to come are in the best interest of Wisconsin’s Tourism Industry and the economic health of Wisconsin. Travel Green Wisconsin is a voluntary program that reviews and certifies tourism businesses that have made a commitment to continuously improve their operations in order to reduce their environmental impact. This voluntary program lets tourism businesses evaluate their operations, set goals, and state specific actions they are taking to achieve environmental, social, and economic sustainability.
Why participate? Benefits to Business
o Learn best practices and share ideas with other Travel Green Wisconsin certified tourism businesses. Benefits to Customers
Benefits to Environment
Benefits to Local Communities
What are the goals of Travel Green Wisconsin? Travel Green Wisconsin is designed to support the Wisconsin brand, give the state and hospitality business participants a marketing edge, promote smart business practices, educate travelers, and protect the beauty and vitality of Wisconsin’s landscape. The Travel Green Wisconsin certification program strives to add bottom-line value and top-line recognition to program participants.
The certification program has the following goals:
How does a business become certified? To be certified as a Travel Green Wisconsin business, the following forms must be completed:
1. Registration Form The Registration Form asks for contact information, baseline environmental performance data, and a certification fee.
2. Checklist The checklist contains Basic Requirements and nine different sections entitled:
To qualify for certification, each business must earn a minimum amount of points from the Checklist. First, each business must fulfill the Basic Requirements and must meet the minimum point requirements in Section I, Communication (5 points). The remaining points can be earned from any combination of additional Checklist Sections. To receive points, the business may check the examples listed in each category and/or describe an innovative best practice that is not listed. By checking the box, the business is either stating that they have already implemented the practice or are making a commitment to implement it. If they are committing to implement the practice, the business must write an Expected Date of Completion. This date must be within 6 months of submitting the Checklist. Businesses are encouraged to go above and beyond the minimum point total to achieve further recognition.
After the Registration and Checklist are completed make a copy for the business and mail or FAX the originals along with the certification fee to the:
Wisconsin Environmental Initiative Attn: Travel Green Wisconsin 16 N. Carroll Street, Suite 840, Madison, WI 53703
FAX: (608) 280-0361
The forms will be reviewed and the business will be notified about their certification status. Certified businesses will receive a Travel Green Wisconsin logo to use in promotional materials and website listings. Certification is valid for a one-year period from the date of issuance.
How does a business renew certification? To renew certification, update the Registration form and Checklist with any changes from the previous year. In addition, an Annual Report must be completed. The Wisconsin Environmental Initiative will notify the business when they should send in these forms and will provide the format for the Annual Report. The Annual Report should include what accomplishments the business has achieved over the year. The Annual Report must also state their goals for the following year in order for the business to continuously improve.
Can a business be removed from the
program?
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Travel Green Wisconsin A Pilot Program Pilot Participants – FAQ
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What is Travel Green Wisconsin? The Wisconsin Department of Tourism and Wisconsin Environmental Initiative recognize, through travel research, that some of Wisconsin’s most popular attraction are its natural resources, cultural diversity, and the wildlife that make their home in the state. Efforts to preserve these attractions for generations to come are in the best interest of Wisconsin’s Tourism Industry and the economic health of Wisconsin.
Travel Green Wisconsin is a voluntary program that reviews and certifies tourism businesses that have made a commitment to continuously improve their operations in order to reduce their environmental impact. This voluntary program lets tourism businesses evaluate their operations, set goals, and state specific actions they are taking to achieve environmental, social, and economic sustainability.
What is the Pilot Program? Before launching the program statewide, Travel Green Wisconsin will be piloted in certain areas and communities in the state. A variety of tourism businesses in these areas will go through the certification process. Feedback about this process will be received from these businesses. It is important that the tourism industry have the opportunity to give suggestions in order to make adjustments to the program if necessary. After feedback is received, Travel Green Wisconsin will be implemented statewide in 2007.
Why should a business participate in the Pilot Program? Pilot program participants will have the opportunity to receive all of the benefits listed below, plus the opportunity to receive additional media attention since the start of a new program is exciting and newsworthy. Also, the pilot businesses will be able to give suggestions and feedback to improve the program for the tourism industry.
Benefits to Business
o Learn best practices and share ideas with other Travel Green Wisconsin certified tourism businesses.
Benefits to Customers
Benefits to Environment
Benefits to Local Communities
What do Pilot businesses have to do? Pilot businesses simply have to complete the certification process and provide feedback.
1. Registration Form: The Registration Form asks for contact information, baseline environmental performance data, and a certification fee.
2. Checklist: This contains some basic requirements and 9 different categories in which each business must earn a minimum number of points.
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www.DoorCountyChamber.org/home.htm www.TravelGreenWisconsin.com
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