12^th Annual Virginia Green Travel Conference & Green Travel Star Awards!

March 20 & 21, 2025 at Busch Gardens in Williamsburg!

 Sustainability is a Wild Ride!

Please join us at the 12th Annual Virginia Green Travel Conference & Awards at Busch Gardens Williamsburg for inspiring presentations, networking opportunities, and recognition of environmental champions in Virginia’s travel industry. Together we’ll discuss the rollercoaster of greening-up operations large and small, from music venues to sports stadiums to breweries. We’ll go behind the scenes at Busch Gardens to learn about sustainability efforts made at one of Virginia’s largest attractions.

Don’t miss out on this exciting opportunity to connect and be part of the movement toward more sustainable travel in our state!

Full Conference Registration + Busch Gardens Ticket Offer Deal is still in place!

Register NOW and receive a one-day ticket to experience the FUN of Busch Gardens Williamsburg either on Thursday (6-9pm) or Friday (1:30-9pm).

Lots of registration options + discounted park tickets!

Agenda and topics below 

Sponsor & exhibitor opportunities are described HERE  

You can purchase exhibit spaces through Registration

or you can email us at [email protected]

Virginia Green Travel Hotel Partners located close to the park:

• Doubletree Williamsburg Hotel and Conference Center (<1 mile)
• Courtyard by Marriott Williamsburg (1 mile)
• Holiday Inn Express Williamsburg (1 mile)
• Fort Magruder Historic Williamsburg (4 miles)

• Additional offer from Great Wolf Lodge (12 miles from the park, but a very attractive offer to continue the family fun)

 Agenda

Thursday, March 20, 2025

1:30-3pm      Exhibits Open + Registration

2:15-3pm      Registration & Behind-The-Scenes Sustainability Tours of Busch-Garden

3-3:05pm      Welcome

3:05-3:50pm  Zero Emissions Transportation: Walking, Biking and EV Options for Tourists and Locals

3:50-4:15pm  Making Green Tourism Fun! Beta Testing a Gaming App for Sustainable Tourism 2.0 

4:15-5pm       Greening the Drink: Brewers Pour One Out for Sustainability

5-6:30 pm       Green Awards! The Virginia Green Travel Star Awards (Hosted by George Washington – it’s true!)

6:30-9pm         Park is Open – FUN AT BUSCH GARDENS!

Friday, March 21, 2025

8-9am              Registration & Exhibits & Busch-Garden Tours

9-9:30am        Welcome

                         Green Travel Update! Annual update on the State of Virginia Green Travel Program

9:30-10am      Green Legislation! 2025 General Assembly Update

10:15-11         Food Service Takeaways: Opportunities for Food Rescue, Composting & Alternatives to Polystyrene                               and Single-Use Plastics

11-11:15am    Break

11:15-12pm    Score One for Sustainability: Greening of Sports Venues, Events and Activities

12-1:15pm      Lunch and Keynote 

                         Alicia Asmus, Environmental Health and Safety Director at United Parks and  Resorts

1:15                 Adjourn

1:15-9pm        Park is Open – FUN AT BUSCH GARDENS!

Keynote Speaker:  Alicia Asmus

United Parks & Resorts

SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment

Corporate Director of Environmental Health & Safety

Dini Hajarrahmah
Virginia Tech Hospitality & Tourism Management

Mary Rafferty
Virginia Conservation Network

Kenny Van Hook
Elation Brewing

Cyndey Dragoo
Virginia Capital Trail

Ryan Sanders
Busch Gardens

Meghann Quinn
Virginia Department of Environmental Quality

Past Conference Details