With the launch of a host of new eco-initiatives at their award-winning Vineyard Conference Centre, the Vineyard Hotel & Spa is once again setting the trend and invites all those planning an event to do it their way�by �living green�!

While serving to fulfil the hotel�s broader Environmental Policy commitments, these new initiatives also tap into �Event Greening�, a concept which focuses on minimising resource consumption and promoting local economic and social development across all levels of event management.

Chris van Zyl, group environmental manager and horticulturist, said: �The carbon saving due to us installing CFL energy saving down lighters in the foyer has been calculated at a saving of 13 tons of C02 per year is realised overall for the hotel (one per cent reduction in carbon footprint). There is a 12 per cent carbon reduction in the footprint of the conference facility and we are about to engage in the installation of more of these down lighters to our upstairs foyer which will effect an additional energy and carbon saving.� �We are also with all sincerity investigation the opportunity of running the entire banqueting facility on green power, currently we will purchase green energy as and when clients request. These RECs, renewable energy certificates, are generated via a plant in Kwazulu-Natal where they generate green energy by using bagasse which is a by product of the sugar cane industry. This process is also carbon neutral .We will receive certificates which are audited and we will be able to issue certificates to clients to prove that for the duration of their conference the facility was run on green energy,� Mr van Zyl added. To ensure every meeting, conference or event has as small an impact on the earth as possible, the Vineyard Conference Centre is now committed to the following �green� practices:

� Eco Stationary - all paper supplied by the conference centre is made from 100 percent recycled material, whilst pencils are Forestry Stewardship Council Certified and are crafted from wood sourced exclusively from sustainable forests. From beginning to end of production, the creation of these pencils adheres to the highest social and environmental standards in the market. � Paperless Booking - Conference organisers are encouraged to participate in the hotel�s greening initiative by using on-line registration. � Local is �Lekker� � Event organisers are encouraged to use locally manufactured conference bags.

Eco Eat - this has been achieved through the following initiatives:

� All our glass mineral bottles now carry our living green logo as it is made from 23 per cent recycled glass and all the used glass bottles go for recycling. � All menus will include local organic seasonal fruit and vegetables as well as free-range meat and chicken, where available.

� Having joined the Southern African Sustainable Seafood Initiative Aware Campaign, the centre is committed to utilising �green status� fish wherever possible. These are fish considered to come from healthy and well-managed fish populations. � Local seasonal fruit juice, organic Rooibos tea, Fair Trade coffee, and organic wine will be served. � All filtered water and ice is served in carafes � The organic sweets have been packaged in recycled brown paper boxes, the sweets are fat free, sugar free, flavoured with herbs, artificial sweetener free, have a low glycemic index and tooth friendly.

Waste reduction and recycling - a multi-bin system has been installed at the conference centre to encourage delegates to separate waste at the source and limit waste production, whilst, back of house, a tri-bin separation system has been put in place, resulting in more than 50 percent of the hotel�s waste being recycled.

Energy-efficient options � With the Vineyard Conference Centre spanning two sun-filled floors, the venue lends itself to the use natural light and ventilation over electrical lights and air-conditioning, where practical. Compact fluorescent energy saving lighting has also been installed in the foyer, effecting a 78 per cent energy saving.

Water-saving - Waterless urinals, dual-flush toilets, and aerated taps installed in the restrooms minimise water use.

Green Energy - To further offset an event�s carbon footprint, Green Energy can be provided upon request through the purchase of Tradable Renewable Energy Certificates(RECS).

While the Vineyard Conference Centre has now officially gone �green�, any guests staying at the Vineyard Hotel & Spa can rest assured in the knowledge that the hotel itself is also a recognised leader in the change to responsible tourism.

A host of other environmental and social initiatives - including everything from the recycling of their restaurants� cooking oil for the manufacture of bio-diesel, to eco-wise gardening, and a portfolio of highly successful and long-standing social initiatives � reflects their commitment to a better tomorrow.

Celebrating its 115th birthday this year, the Vineyard Hotel & Spa was originally the home of Lady Anne Barnard who acquired a farm that already had 22 000 planted vines and named the property, the Vineyard. In celebration of 350-years of winemaking in South Africa this year, the hotel has re-planted a symbolic vineyard in association with five family-owned Estates namely; Meerlust, Warwick, Simonsig, Waterford and Klein Constantia.

The Vineyard Hotel and Spa is privately owned and family operated. It is a world-class deluxe hotel situated in Cape Town�s suburb of Newlands and offers 175 recently refurbished and stylish rooms, an award winning conference venue, a state-of-the-art fitness centre and Angsana Spa, the Square Restaurant and now Myoga. The Vineyard Hotel and Spa is also a mere 15 minutes from the V&A Waterfront, Cape Town International Airport and the city centre. For information contact; David C. Hickman Impact Sales & Marketing International Representative Office - United Kingdom, Ireland & Scandinavia 16 Hanover Square Mayfair London W1S 1HT United Kingdom Tel: +44 20 7659 1208 Fax: +44 20 7659 1209 Cell: +44 777 178 5650 E-mail: vineyard@impactsales-int.com Web: www.vineyard.co.za