By Joyce Kryszak
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wbfo/local-wbfo-830562.mp3
Buffalo, NY – It might seem like a belated April Fools joke. But Buffalo will host the 2009 National Solar Energy Conference from May 11th - through the 16th. For real.
In May, 1,500 delegates will gather in Buffalo to share information on the latest green technologies during the week-long conference. It concludes with Public Day where as many as five thousand people could flock to Buffalo's sunny shores.
Richard Geiger is president of the Buffalo Niagara Convention and Visitors Bureau. He said, believe it or not, Buffalo is on the cutting edge of the green initiatives that conference organizers look for.
He said the CVB's green hospitality initiative is the first of its kind in the state. Geiger said most of the major hotels are on board with the earth-friendly practices that attract convention planners. He said the solar conference gives them a chance to put some of those practices into action. The Hyatt will do composting during the conference. And the CVB will make Blue Bikes available to convention goers.
The conference is sponsored by several businesses and organizations, including the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority. Linda Hardie with NYSERDA said the conference will be a good generator for a new green industry in the state.
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