Editorial Board   Guest Author

Mr. Trefzer

Tim Trefzer

Head of Environmental Sustainability, Georgia World Congress Center Authority

Tim Trefzer is head of environmental sustainability and corporate social responsibility for the Georgia World Congress Center Authority. He oversees efforts to improve internal operations, reduce the impacts of hosted events, and advance the Authority's benefit to the community through strategic partnerships. 

As a LEED Accredited Professional, Mr. Trefzer administered the GWCC's LEED Silver certification in 2014 and LEED Gold recertification in 2017 which made it the largest LEED certified convention center in the world. In 2017 he also guided the Savannah International Trade and Convention Center to LEED Gold certification. Mr. Trefzer also supported the LEED Platinum certification efforts of Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

He is intimately engrained in sports and sustainability, working with the Atlanta Football Host Committee for the College Football Playoff and Super Bowl. He chaired the NCAA Men's Final Four sustainability committee in 2013, garnering the moniker “greenest Final Four in history.” Since 2015, Mr. Trefzer has consulted with the College Football Playoff and Super Bowl, managing various aspects of the sustainability efforts placed around these mega sporting events. For the 2018 College Football Playoff National Championship and Super Bowl LIII in Atlanta, Mr. Trefzer  is sustainability chair for the Atlanta Football Host Committee and Atlanta Super Bowl LIII Host Committee. 

Mr. Trefzer serves as faculty associate for Arizona State University and Georgia State University where he teaches courses in the Global Context of Sustainability and Sustainable Operations in Hospitality. He has degrees from Florida State University and Arizona State University.

Please visit http://www.gwcca.org for more information.

Mr. Trefzer can be contacted at 404-223-4011 or ttrefzer@gwcca.org

Coming up in September 2019...

Hotel Group Meetings: Uncommon Destinations

The last few years have been good to the Hotel Group Meetings industry and that trend is expected to continue into 2019. Planners are brimming with confidence due to an expanding economy and increased job creation, which typically results in a boost in corporate meetings. Given this promising outlook, planners are trying to outdo themselves to satisfy the high expectations of their clients. One notable trend is to integrate unusual settings into the meeting experience, hosting groups at local zoos, aquariums, museums, event centers, or other outdoor facilities. The goal is to embrace uncommon destinations, rather than a typical hotel conference room, so that meetings can be memorable, unique and stimulating. This is also part of another trend which is to support all things local - from hosting events at landmark city venues; to catering through local restaurants, food trucks and microbreweries; to hosting off-site excursions like agri-tours, athletic events or scenic 5k routes. However, though the setting might be spectacular, there are still some bedrock components that must be provided to ensure a successful meeting. Free, high-speed Wi-Fi is still one of the most requested services. Planners have to make sure that a comprehensive communication infrastructure is in place so clients can easily connect - and stay connected - to the network throughout the entire meeting experience. Also, technology tools can be used to streamline the booking, registration, and check-in process, and Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) materials can be utilized to ensure seamless access to conference events. There are also numerous software tools that encourage audience participation, as well as integrating polls, Q&A, surveys and games into speakers' presentations. The September Hotel Business Review will examine issues relevant to group meetings and will report on what some hotels are doing to promote this sector of their operations.
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