Sonic Foundry is committed to minimizing the environmental impact of UNLEASH 2009, the Mediasite User Conference.

This year we’re taking steps to go green:

• Choose a LEED-certified conference facility dedicated to sustainability
• Select a conference facility within walking distance of the hotel, evening entertainment and Sonic Foundry’s headquarters to reduce potential transportation-related carbon emissions
• Choose lodging with recycling and waste reduction programs including towel reuse and newspapers on request
• Encourage use of the hotel’s free shuttle service to and from the airport
• Distribute reusable aluminum water bottles to avoid the use of unnecessary plastic or paper cups
• Offer attendees conference materials that are useful and sustainable including reusable canvas tote bags, organic t-shirts, recycled/recyclable, notepads, pens and handouts
• Collect unwanted tote materials for reuse at other events
• Print only the absolute necessary conference materials
• Print event signage and other materials double-sided whenever possible
• Market through electronic means when possible
• Conduct surveys online only to avoid using unnecessary paper
• Make all conference sessions available on-demand through Mediasite, minimizing the need for printed handouts
• Reuse existing conference decorations vs. producing new for the Rich Media Impact Awards
• Donate unserved meals to a local food bank
• Avoid individually packaged snacks

Have other ideas how we can make UNLEASH more green? Email us.

Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center

Monona Terrace works hand in hand with the City of Madison as an involved supporter of sustainable efforts and environmentally responsible operations and is the first convention center to receive silver level certification under the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design for Existing Buildings (LEED - EB) rating system. LEED promotes a whole-building approach to sustainability by recognizing performance in five key areas of human and environmental health: sustainable site development, water savings, energy and atmosphere, materials and resources, and indoor environmental quality.

Forty-nine percent of the solid waste material generated at Monona Terrace is currently recycled and also uses a broad range of environmentally friendly cleaning products as well as high efficiency light bulbs minimizing the amount of mercury brought into the building.

Monona Terrace is certified as a Travel Green Wisconsin business, which recognizes the commitment to continuously improve operations in order to reduce environmental impact.

Learn more about sustainability at Monona Terrace.

Hilton Madison Monona Terrace

After years of dedication to environmental protection, the Hilton Madison Monona Terrace is the latest Madison area tourism business to earn the Travel Green Wisconsin certification. The luxury hotel voluntarily participated in this pilot program developed by the Wisconsin Environmental Initiative and the Wisconsin State Department of Tourism and earned points for its efforts to conserve water, utilize energy-efficient appliances and lighting and purchase locally grown and organic products among other criteria. The hotel and its adjoining restaurant, Capitol Chophouse, have long been proponents of purchasing organic and locally produced food products.