The Webster Group & American Forests Partner with Meeting ReLeaf Program
Washington, DC (PRWEB) December 19, 2013 -- The Webster Group (“TWG”), which delivers event design, planning and production, public relations, graphic arts and fundraising services for their clients, has partnered with American Forests to plant trees in the names of their 2013 clients. This effort, part of the American Forests Meeting ReLeaf program, will offset carbon emissions generated by the events. This program, conceived under TWG Chairman Lynda Webster’s tenure as Chairman of American Forests, will augment TWG’s broader sustainability efforts.
“The Webster Group has made major strides in our efforts to make meetings and events more environmentally friendly and socially beneficial,” said Lynda Webster, Chairman. “Our collaboration with American Forests provides us with a great opportunity to help the environment by planting trees and reducing our carbon footprint. I urge the event industry to consider ways they can reduce their carbon emissions when possible.”
“Organizations can make a real difference by planting trees to offset the environmental impacts of events and meetings,” says Scott Steen, president & CEO of American Forests. "The Webster Group understands that planting trees in carefully chosen forest-restoration projects has tremendous environmental benefits, including removing CO2 from the atmosphere, cleaning our water supply, enriching soil, providing wildlife habitat and soaking up air pollutants. Planting trees in honor of each attendee is also a wonderful way for The Webster Group to say thank you to their clients.”
Steen also noted that Lynda Webster, the founder of the Webster Group, "was a tremendous advocate of Meeting ReLeaf during her term as American Forests' board chair. As a leader in the nonprofit events community, Lynda strongly believes in making events and meetings more sustainable and also understands what a powerful statement it is to plant a tree for each attendee."
As part of the Meeting ReLeaf program, organizations work with American Forests to calculate and offset their carbon emissions. The term “carbon offset” refers to six main types of greenhouse gases from methane to carbon dioxide. Each carbon offset equals the reduction of one metric ton of “carbon dioxide-equivalent” and how it is offset depends on the geographic area where the tree is planted, the species and age. For example, one tree can absorb as much as 48 pounds of carbon dioxide per year and can sequester one ton of carbon dioxide in 40 years, according to North Carolina State University. Forests also filter more than 50 percent of the drinking water in the U.S. and are the principal source of terrestrial biodiversity on the planet.
“We especially want to thank American Forests, our clients and our vendors who are all critical partners in our sustainability efforts,” said Lynda Webster. “A smaller carbon footprint would be much harder to achieve without their infrastructure, expertise and enthusiasm.”
About The Webster Group
The Webster Group is a woman owned, global event planning, production and fundraising agency that provides award-winning, innovative and cost-effective solutions to corporate, non-profit and government clients. Our portfolio includes over 600 events attended by U.S. presidents and first ladies, foreign heads of state and ambassadors, government and political figures, military leaders, entertainers and CEOs of Fortune 500 companies.
These events, ranging in size from 10 to 43,000 attendees, include dedication and commissioning ceremonies, galas, concerts, multi-day conferences and conventions, and meetings for global advisors and international delegations.
Lea Hutchins, The Webster Group, +1 202-741-1306, [email protected]
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