KEYSTONE, COLO.—As the public becomes increasingly conscious of being green, choosing a meeting space that is environmentally-friendly has become a top priority for many incentive groups. Keystone Conference Center, the largest conference venue in the Colorado Rocky Mountains, has made a commitment to the environment by introducing clean energy technology.
Keystone, located in the White River National Forest, is entrusted with the stewardship of lands. Because of its location, the destination has the opportunity to directly protect the environment of its surroundings and engage in resource conservation by means of renewable energy use, recycling, composting, and other forms of waste reduction, wildlife habitat preservation and environmental education.
Keystone Conference Center is powered by 100 percent renewable wind energy and boasts an energy-efficient lighting system. A composting program diverts more than 12 tons of kitchen prep waste per year, and its recycling efforts diverted more than 127 tons of material in 2006, a diversion rate of nearly 50 percent. The material recycled and composted by Keystone Conference Center in 2006 was equivalent to: saving 18 households of energy for one year; preventing 106 trees from being cut down and turned into paper products; preventing 138 tons of air emissions from entering the atmosphere; or taking 66 cars off the road for one year.
Emphasis on Local, Sustainable Cuisine
Keystone serves the freshest organic and sustainable produce to all guests as part of Vail Resorts’ Appetite for Life program. This initiative sources local, sustainable cuisine to be served in all food and beverage operations across the company. Horizon Organic dairy products and Coleman natural meats and poultry, sustainable seafood and fish, and organic Starbucks coffee are served. Meals at the center will be served in mesh bags to eliminate waste from cardboard and paper.
Other environmental initiatives offered at Keystone include a comprehensive recycling program that provides service to all employees and guests. In 1999, Keystone bought a recycling collection truck, and in 2006, Keystone Resort diverted more than 1,300 tons of solid waste in the form of recycling. In addition to recycling in all of the food and beverage outlets, Keystone began an on-mountain recycling program in 2000. The program places containers at the bottom and top of lifts and around the various base areas in order to facilitate more convenient recycling—even while skiing. To reduce water waste, The Keystone Lodge & Spa, A RockResort has upgraded all 153 rooms. Resulting water savings are an estimated 4.5 million gallons per year.
Located 90 minutes north of Denver, Keystone Conference Center offers more than 100,000 square feet of meeting, exhibit and event space with three ballrooms and 50 flexible meeting rooms. It is the largest conference venue in the Colorado Rocky Mountains and second largest in the state.
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