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Newsletter, April 2022

April Updates from GreenStep Sustainable Tourism

WELCOMING ERICH AND RHONDA TO THE GREENSTEP TEAM

We are thrilled to announce the appointment of two new team members, as we continue to grow our resources to support the demand of businesses, across all sectors, who are looking to improve their sustainability practices and performance, with the common goal to take action to reduce the effects of climate change and to positively impact the communities in which they operate.

Please join us in welcoming Erich Schwartz and Rhonda Couch to the GreenStep team. You can learn more about their roles below.

Erich Schwartz: Sustainability & Climate Solutions Sales Manager

Erich brings 20+ years of experience in sales & business development, project and program management, and leadership in the sustainability industry with a focus on Strategy Consulting, GHG Management, Zero Waste, and the Circular Economy. Erich is client-focused with a passion for delivering exceptional results that improve the social and environmental footprints of small to medium-sized businesses. Stemming from his love of the natural world, people, and a passion for learning, Erich has become a subject matter expert in the field of sustainability. Erich graduated as a science teacher, where he first started teaching about climate change. He went on to get a Masters Degree that led to a career in Management Consulting that focuses on strategies that reduce GHG emissions, waste, and pollution, while at the same time improving profitability, customer satisfaction, and community engagement. Erich is based in Madeira Park, BC.

Rhonda Couch: Sustainability Assessor & Certification Manager

Rhonda recently completed a Graduate Certificate in Sustainable Business Management after running her own restaurant and catering business for a number of years. She has also been a researcher, assessor, and data analyst for over 20 years in the areas of education, public and mental health. Rhonda has also worked in various communities across Ontario, training social workers and psychologists on how to assess children with behavioral problems. Her passion for sustainability combined with her background in business ownership and management will allow her to support and guide tourism businesses as they get started on their sustainability journey. She has an undergraduate degree in Psychology from SFU and a Master of Science Degree from the University of Waterloo, as well as diplomas in Cooking and Catering and Travel and Tourism. Rhonda is based in North Kawartha, Ontario.

CELEBRATING EARTH MONTH: TRANSFORMING GRATITUDE INTO ACTION

In celebration of Earth Month, we want to take a moment of gratitude. Gratitude for the diversity and beauty of ecosystems that nourish us, and gratitude for the people who work tirelessly to protect our planet for future generations to come, through their passion, ingenuity, and dedication.

It has been exactly one year since GreenStep launched the Sustainable Tourism 2030 Pledge together with the Tourism Industry Association of Canada, where we encouraged the global tourism industry to measure and make a commitment to improving their sustainability performance. If you are ready to transform your gratitude for the earth into action, this is a place to start.

Take the Sustainable Tourism 2030 Pledge

Continue reading on our blog

GREENSTEP SPONSORS THE RESPONSIBLE TRAVEL & TOURISM WEBINAR

In case you missed it – GreenStep CEO and Founder Angela Nagy presented alongside industry experts at the “Embracing Responsible Tourism” webinar on April 7th. We were thrilled to team up with Baxter Media and Trees4Travel to sponsor and host this informative session, featuring speakers from the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC), Hawai’i Tourism Authority, Trees4Travel, and Globus family of brand to help equip travel advisors with the tools to respond to growing interest in responsible travel.

Read the discussion summary and access the recording on Travelpress.

FEATURE ON RAZZAQ MOHAMMED: GREENSTEP BUSINESS ENERGY ADVISOR

We are incredibly proud to share this feature of GreenStep Business Energy Advisor Razzaq Mohammed, who has recently been spotlighted by Efficiency Canada’s Our Human Energy movement, as a result of his ongoing efforts to improve efficiency across the Canadian energy sector.

With a desire to have a positive impact, Razzaq transitioned from working at thermal power plants towards his current role where the approach is centered around people and planet.

 

With the work that I am doing right now with GreenStep, approaching small and medium businesses, I get to talk to them, do energy assessments and, if they’re interested, I actually help them in the implementation of their projects or share any energy saving opportunities,” says Razzaq.

Razzaq is currently working on two programs: the FortisBC Small Business Engagement Program and BC Hydro’s Business Energy Savings Incentives Program. Contact Razzaq at razzaq@greenstep.ca for more information about how your BC-based business can access free energy advice.

Read the full feature about Razzaq

CWSAA RESPONSIBLE STEWARDSHIP INITIATIVE (2022)

GreenStep was thrilled to be a sponsor of the the Canada West Ski Areas Association Spring Meeting, that took place from April 26th to 28th in Lake Louise, AB. GreenStep CEO Angela Nagy, Mount Sima Alpine Adventure Park General Manager Sam Oettli, and Whistler Blackcomb Senior Manager, Sustainability Allana Williams presented the 2022 CWSAA Responsible Stewardship session.

Key discussion points included findings of ski industry focus groups, and the introduction of a best practices tool kit being prepared by the industry committee and GreenStep Solutions.

 

 

UPCOMING INDUSTRY EVENTS

CONFERENCES

IMPACT Sustainability Travel & Tourism Conference
Hosted by: Destination Greater Victoria
Where: Victoria, BC
Dates: May 8 – May 11, 2022

The annual IMPACT Sustainability Travel & Tourism Conference is a collaborative national dialogue on innovation, bringing together policy-builders, educators, and all those who believe the positive and sustainable growth of tourism in Canada is a key economic driver.

Key topics of discussion will include Indigenous reconciliation, biodiversity preservation, carbon mitigation, and sustainable food and agriculture, contributing to the ongoing dialogue on tourism’s recovery. Join the conservation and hear how creative and innovative experts in the business, including GreenStep CEO Angela Nagy, are addressing the new reality of higher expectations, for and of visitors.

Rendez-Vous Canada+ 2022

Hosted by: Destination Canada & Tourism Industry Association of Canada
Date: May 24 – 27, 2022
Location: Toronto, ON & Virtual
Details: RVC+ 2022 is a hybrid event, with a virtual component and an in-person seated marketplace in Toronto, Ontario. RVC+ 2022 is an exciting opportunity to welcome international buyers back to Canada and showcase the beauty of this country, as well as the truly meaningful travel experiences on offer across each province and territory.

Travel and Tourism Research Association 2022 Annual International Conference

Hosted by: Travel & Tourism Research Association
Date: June 13 – 16, 2022
Location: Victoria, BC
Details: The theme of the TTRA 2022 conference is Regenerative Tourism: Building Resilience. The conference will focus on recovering efforts of the global tourism and hospitality industry and communities to regenerate tourism in the post-pandemic era and at the same time to increase resilience to crises, sustain resources, and distribute more fairly tourism benefits.

WEBINARS

Building Inclusive Tourism: Monthly Series
Hosted by: Tourism Industry Association of Ontario
Where: Online
Dates: Ongoing

TIAO is hosting monthly lunch-and-learn webinars to help build diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in the tourism industry. The sessions are unique and open to all learners to help build inclusive tourism for all.

Greater Vancouver Board of Trade Diversity & Inclusion Training
Hosted by: Greater Vancouver Board of Trade
Where: In-Person & Online
Dates: Ongoing

The Greater Vancouver Board of Trade is one of Canada’s busiest and most sought-after events platforms, with more than 100 events annually. Ongoing offerings include ESG FundamentalsFoundations in Diversity and Inclusion CertificateAchieving the Triple Bottom Line (Finance & Investment), and Gender in the Workplace.

Interested in learning more about how GreenStep Sustainable Tourism can help your tourism business or destination? Feel free to reach out at any time to chat, or schedule a free consult today: 1-800-469-7830 or info@greenstep.ca.