[August 09, 2004] Portland Oregon Visitors Association Prepares to Launch Nation's First Completely Solar-powered CVB Website PORTLAND, Ore. --(Business Wire)-- Aug. 9, 2004 -- On September 1, 2004, the Portland Oregon Visitors Association (POVA) is scheduled to become the nation's first convention and visitors bureau (CVB) to launch a website 100 percent powered by solar energy. That's right, in a city renowned for its lush, abundant rainfall, the local CVB's website -- http://www.travelportland.com -- is transitioning to a completely solar-powered energy source. While this achievement may seem astonishing to non-Oregonians, such measures are expected by Portland's eco-centric citizens. The improbable changeover was made possible by Solar Data Centers, Inc., the only company in the world using solar energy to run every aspect of its clients' Internet operations. POVA is the first -- and currently only -- CVB to sign on with SDC. Supplying a full range of web services to more than 300 clients, SDC deals primarily with companies and associations interested in environmental issues. For POVA, whose tourism slogan is "It's not easy being green," the switch to a clean, renewable energy source made perfect sense. "People think of Portland as a green destination, both in terms of the scenery and the city's environmental commitment," explained Joe D'Alessandro, POVA's president and CEO. "This is just one way that we can live up to Portland's impressive international reputation." The switch to 100 percent solar power -- the cost of which is nearly identical to what POVA had paid for its previous, more conventionally powered website -- is the monthly equivalent of: -- 1.72 acres of forest acres NOT being cut down -- 16,286 auto miles NOT being driven -- 4.32 tons of coal NOT being burned -- 14,482 pounds of CO2 NOT being produced POVA began shopping for a green Internet provider a few months ago. After reviewing Internet service providers utilizing wind, sun and other alternative energy sources, POVA settled on SDC for a variety of reasons. In addition to its commitment to renewable power, SDC offered a high level of Internet security, customer support, affordability and technical expertise. "We found that a few other CVBs were using solar power to cover a portion of the energy needed to run their websites," said Karla Nutt, the POVA marketing manager who oversees website operations. "However, after doing a lot of research, neither we nor SDC could find any CVB websites that relied 100 percent on solar power. It's exciting to be on the leading edge of this green movement." POVA is a non-profit independent association whose mission is to strengthen the region's economy by marketing the metropolitan Portland area as a preferred destination for meetings, conventions and leisure travel. Media contacts for Solar Data Centers: -0- *T Steven M. May Jr. President & CEO Solar Data Centers 800-830-3415 [email protected] http://www.solardatacenters.com Matt Landry Principal Matter Communications 978-499-9254 [email protected] *T [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]