Newsletters

ANNOUNCING THE STEAMBOAT SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS CONSORTIUM!

There is a lot of news to be excited about as we go into 2012 our sixth year!  First, in case you have not heard, the Steamboat Sustainable Business Program now falls under a newly established organization, the Steamboat Sustainable Business Consortium (SSBC) and is positioned to become better and stronger than ever! 

With a new business plan and a huge outpouring of support by member businesses, the SSBC will be unveiling some new initiatives in the coming year.  Of course, you can expect the same high standard of service and successful components to continue such as those listed below:

CONTINUATION OF EXISTING programs:

Ø       Recognition of certified and participating businesses

Ø       Provide professional coaching/consulting services

Ø       Quarterly Networking Luncheons

Ø       Quarterly Newsletters

Ø       Sustainable Business Directory publications

Ø       Presentations/booths at events

Ø       Marrying local suppliers with consumers

Ø       Up-cycling among members

Ø       Local Sustainability projects

Ø       Certifications – Green, Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum

Ø       Annual Awards.

There are also a number of new initiatives in the works to increase the value of participating in the SBP program and to help spread the word to the community and consumers.  The newly reconvened Steering Committee met in December and will help to guide the organization going forward.

NEW PROGRAMS IN THE WORKS:

               -Publish annually an expanded Sustainable Biz Directory;

-Embrace the power of the organization’s collective voice and broaden the influence;

-Expand participation and outreach with an enhanced membership drive;

-Provide scholarships to small businesses to become more sustainable;

-Add value and new services to the program through additional training, education
                  and opportunities to get more involved in local sustainability projects;

-Position Steamboat Springs internationally as a green tourism destination;

-Expand the existing networking efforts to better communicate best practices;

-Publish successful business case studies to share ideas and lure new interest and  
                   membership;

-Establish an annual community program such as the successful fluorescent light 
                  bulb recycling drop off for local businesses that we did in 2011;

-New “Take the Challenge” Add-on – the second generation for already certified  
   businesses;

-Seek and promote sponsorships, donations and other funding sources to sustain the program over time.

As always, if you have ideas or if you would like to be more involved or become a program sponsor, please let me know!

The 2011 Sustainable Business of the Year was awarded in November to local lighting supplier and consultant Light Works of Steamboat.  LightWorks’ owner Nancy Swanke, proudly accepted the award and joins a dignified list of past recipients – Marabou (2007), Smartwool (2008), Black Tie Ski Rentals (2009), and Go Alpine (2010).     

Light Works of Steamboat may be a small company but it is making a large impact on the community.  A SBP member since 2009 and Gold level certified, Lightworks strives to continually improve its sustainability efforts both within the business operation and the products and services they provide. 

The owner, Nancy Schwanke, recently led a successful initiative at the Loggers Lane business center to institute an on-site recycling collection center and pick up service that is now utilized by all of the businesses.  Her creativity has resulted in the company offering a multitude of state-of-the-art lighting fixtures at the retail store.  Nancy also works toward educating consumers toward energy efficiency and sustainable product purchases.  To complete the circle, her husband is a licensed electrician and provides expert guidance for energy efficient lighting installations.

Another outstanding effort by the Lightworks team is their commitment to community service and raising the sustainable business bar.  They continue to volunteer numerous hours toward community service projects and were instrumental in the fluorescent bulb recycling event held by the Sustainable Business Program in 2011 which offered local businesses free drop off and recycled over 3,500 bulbs.  We are fortunate to have a business such as Lightworks of Steamboat in our community.

Other high achievers that were nominated this year were Sweetwood Cattle Company, Catamount Ranch & Club, Colorado Mountain College, and Central Park Management.

CONGRATULATIONS to ALL!

    
 Local SSBC members Sweetwood Cattle Company and GoAlpine were also recognized for their sustainability achievements