When Grammy-winners Alison Krauss and Union Station take the stage at Meadowbrook U.S. Cellular Pavilion on Friday, August 5th, bluegrass will meet green at Greenerpalooza. The fourth annual celebration of energy efficiency and green efforts in New Hampshire, Greenerpalooza is co-sponsored by Public Service of New Hampshire and Citizens Bank in coordination with the New Hampshire Division of Economic Development, the Meadowbrook U.S. Cellular Pavilion and media sponsor New Hampshire Business Review.
This year's Greenerpalooza headliner Alison Krauss and Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas.
“Greenerpalooza shows why Greenopia ranked New Hampshire one of the ten greenest states in the nation,” said New Hampshire Division of Economic Development Communications and Legislative Director Steve Boucher, citing the ranking of states that takes into account air and water quality, recycling rates, LEED buildings, green, per capital emissions and other factors. Boucher expects 5,000 to 6,000 fans at this year’s event. “Just as music brings people together to support worthy causes, Greenerpalooza brings together dozens of ‘green’ businesses from around the state in an eco-village on Meadowbrook’s midway. These businesses showcase ways residents can ‘go green’ by adopting more environmentally-friendly practices and by using green products and services produced right here in New Hampshire.”
Public Service of New Hampshire was a founding sponsor of the event. The state’s largest electric utility, PSNH has increased its share of renewable energy to include the highest percentage of any major utility in New England. According to Pat McDermott, PSNH’s Economic & Community Development Manager, “We see Greenerpalooza as a terrific way to build awareness of issues like recycling and making energy efficiency improvements. They’re simple, cost effective ways to make a big difference in protecting the environment. We’ve seen the impact at PSNH: Since 2003, our customers have reduced air emissions by more than 4.5 million tons by participating in PSNH’s portfolio of energy-efficiency programs. That’s equivalent to the annual emissions of more than 850,000 cars. Plus these programs have saved customers more than $1 billion.”
Co-sponsor Citizens Bank believes that encouraging sustainability fits in well with their corporate mission.
“At Citizens Bank, we believe a good bank takes seriously its commitment to the communities it serves, which is why we are honored to once again partner with the NH Division of Economic Development and PSNH to showcase eco-friendly initiatives at Greenerpalooza this summer,” said Citizens Bank President Joseph J. Carelli.
The Music and the Message
Boucher says Meadowbrook U.S. Cellular Pavilion, which prides itself on being environmentally conscious, is the ideal venue for Greenerpalooza. Meadowbrook offers artists the option of producing completely green stage shows by using a biodiesel-fueled generator that’s capable of producing enough power for even the biggest national touring acts. The venue’s food service uses recyclable/compostible cups and plates made from corn, while the office uses recycled materials for as many office supplies as possible. Meadowbrook even reserves its first parking lot for attendees who carpool with at least four people per vehicle.
“What makes Meadowbrook unique is this beautiful location on the shores of Lake Winnipesaukee,” explains Meadowbrook U.S. Cellular Pavilion Marketing Director Chris Lockwood. “It gives us a real appreciation for the environment. That’s why incorporating green practices and technology just makes sense to us.”
Each year, Meadowbrook has booked international stars known for their environmental activism to play Greenerpalooza. Past acts have included Sheryl Crow and Colbie Caillat (2010), Jackson Browne and Shawn Colvin (2009), and Crosby, Stills and Nash (2008). This year’s headliner, Alison Krauss and Union Station, who released their acclaimed new record, “Paper Airplane,” in April, are long-time environmental advocates. Krauss, who has won 26 Grammy awards, is well-known for playing benefit concerts for environmental causes, including for the Natural Resources Defense Council in support of their work against mountaintop-removal coal mining, which has had a devastating effect on communities in Appalachia. The second stage act, the Adam Ezra Group, are also activists, contributing 25% of their touring to benefit causes in communities across the country and worldwide.
Tickets to Greenerpalooza, which includes entry into the eco-village, are available online at www.meadowbrook.net. To learn more about the latest happenings with Greenerpalooza, visit the Greenerpalooza IV Facebook page at www.facebook.com/greennh. A limited number of vendor slots for green businesses are still available for $200; please contact Dawn Escabi at dawn.escabi@dred.state.nh.us or 603-271-2591.
Romance, recycling and a healthy dose of frontier justice – that’s what’s on tap in the newest “Earth friendly” entries on No Bull TV.
For those of you who’ve forgotten (which is understandable as we haven’t been posting a ton of videos lately in advance of our latest extravagonzos), No Bull TV is the New Hampshire Division of Economic Development’s YouTube station featuring vids on Greenerpalooza, the WMUR Project Economy Job Fair and Career Expo, the Jericho ATV Park and more.
This year, as previously referenced on the No Bull Business Blog, we have partnered with the Meadowbrook U.S. Cellular Pavilion, Citizens Bank, Public Service of NH, Epiphanies Inc., New Hampshire Business Review and The Mountain to not only present Greenerpalooza III on August 12th, but to unveil the Granite Green Team, very much in evidence at select Meadowbrook concerts.
The Granite Green Team, a squad of eco-volunteers clad in very cool t-shirts designed by our friends at The Mountain, hands out seed cards with recycling and energy efficiency information on them at concerts throughout the Meadowbrook season. Located on the card is information that can also be used to sponsor the planting of a tree, a great way to build sustainability and encourage green practices.
To ensure that concert goers get the message about the benefits of recycling and observe eco-friendliness while visiting Meadowbrook, the Green Team pulled together a series of Public Service Announcements that make an important point while being entertaining at the same time.
In the following clips, Allen Voivod of Epiphanies Inc. fame, plays our resident rocker while PSNH Economic & Community Development Manager Pat McDermott, Meadowbrook U.S. Cellular Pavilion Marketing Director and I comprise the green jumpsuit stylin’ Granite Green Team. In the “Romance and Recycling” clip, Dan Freund of Kinney Hill (the video production team that did such a great job on this shoot) and Meadowbrook’s Kate Lilly play the couple who find love through recycling.
Special thanks to Emma Womack, Vice President of Corporate Development at Meadowbrook, for arranging the shoot and ensuring that these PSAs will run on the venue’s video wall throughout the 2010 season. Never thought that my buddies and I would be sharing the stage with Sugarland, Heart, Cheap Trick and the Zac Brown Band!!
– Steve Boucher, Communications & Legislative Director
For years, Grammy Award-winning musician Sheryl Crow has been spreading the word about environmental awareness through activism and song. Now she will be joined by a team of green minded public and private sector partners as she makes her way to the Granite State as part of her 2010 tour.
Crow, joined by 2009 BMI Pop Award Songwriter of the year Colbie Caillat, will headline this year’s Greenerpalooza III concert on August 12th at 8 p.m. at the Meadowbrook U.S. Cellular Pavilion.
Co-sponsored by Public Service of New Hampshire and Citizens Bank in coordination with the New Hampshire Division of Economic Development and media sponsor New Hampshire Business Review, Greenerpalooza III is a celebration of New Hampshire’s energy efficiency efforts. Over 5,000 concert goers will not only get to enjoy a concert from a multi-platinum artist, they will also be able to visit a special eco village on the Meadowbrook midway where vendors will be extolling the virtues of wind and solar power as well as other alternative energy sources.
“Greenerpalooza has been great at opening people’s eyes to the potential of a greener, more sustainable future,” said New Hampshire Division of Economic Development Communications & Legislative Director Steve Boucher. “By using the unifying force of music, we are able to help citizens to become more energy efficient, learn about new technologies and share a positive environmental message with their neighbors.”
Show headliner Sheryl Crow is no stranger to promoting and endorsing a green lifestyle. She is a founding member and one of the driving forces behind the Green Music Group, a coalition of musicians, industry leaders, and fans working to inspire widespread environmental action. Crow recently encouraged her fans to accept the Green Music Group Challenge, an earth friendly call-to-action that asks music fans to send an email to legislators expressing support for effective, fair environmental legislation.
“Sheryl is an excellent choice for this year’s Greenerpalooza event based on her strong record of supporting environmentally friendly initiatives,” said Meadowbrook U.S. Cellular Pavilion Marketing Director Chris Lockwood. “She is an artist who isn’t afraid to take a stand and to live the message that she sends through her music. She’s truly dedicated to spreading the word that taking care of the planet is everyone’s responsibility.”
Greenerpalooza III has brought new partners into the fold for this year’s offering. Citizens Bank, a lending institution that has demonstrated a commitment to the community through its Champions in Action initiative as well as other charitable endeavors, has signed on as a co-sponsor, believing that encouraging sustainability fits in well with their corporate mission.
“We believe that a bank should contribute to the growth and vibrancy of its communities, said Cathleen A. Schmidt, president of Citizens Bank. “We are excited to partner with the NH Division of Economic Development, Public Service of New Hampshire and other like-minded companies, to showcase eco-friendly initiatives at Greenerpalooza. Attendees will have the chance to learn about our Green$ense incentive program, and how small everyday activities such as reducing paper-based transactions can have a tremendous impact on the environment and the world we live in.”
Also new to the event this year is the addition of the “Granite Green Team,” a virtual “green army” of volunteers who will collect recyclables at Meadowbrook concerts and distribute wild-flower seed cards that have an on-line voucher to plant a tree in an area in need of reforesting. The seed cards can be planted after the voucher is redeemed. A team of 4-6 representatives from Public Service of New Hampshire, the Division of Economic Development, Citizens Bank and social media partner Epiphanies, Inc. will each attend a show during the 2010 season and encourage concert goers to dispose of recyclables responsibly and to observe eco awareness in their daily living.
“This is a great new twist to Greenerpalooza,” said Pat McDermott, Public Service of New Hampshire’s Economic & Community Development Manager. “Recycling and making energy-efficiency improvements are simple, cost-effective ways to make a big difference in protecting the environment. Since 2003, our customers have reduced air emissions by more than 3.1 million tons by participating in PSNH’s portfolio of energy-efficiency programs. That’s equivalent to the annual emissions of more than 579,000 cars.”
Volunteers will all be clad in special t-shirts designed by Michael McGloin of Keene-based The Mountain, creators of the multi-million selling “Three Wolf Moon” shirt. The shirts feature a lushly growing tree with a guitar for a base and limbs extending from a recycling sign as birds fly off in the distance.
“The design is a depiction of things that we typically associate with green living and shows the beauty of what can happen when work towards a better, more Earth-friendly future,” McGloin said. “We at The Mountain incorporate environmental friendliness into our business practices and are excited to be part of this team of people trying to make a positive difference.”
Tickets to the Sheryl Crow and Colbie Caillat concert, which include entry into the eco-village, are available online at www.meadowbrook.net. To learn more about the latest happenings with Greenerpalooza, visit the newly created Greenerpalooza III Facebook page at www.facebook.com/greennh.
How do you define excellence? Is it based on exemplary customer service, consistent innovation and progressive management?
No matter what measure is being utilized, the simple truth of the matter is that our good friends and partners at the Meadowbrook U.S. Cellular Pavilion continue to be a “jewel” of the Granite State.
Earlier this week, the Academy of Country Music announced its nominations for the 45th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards, and for the third time in the past four years, the Meadowbrook U.S. Cellular Pavilion in Gilford finds itself on the list of the top five sites nominated as venue of the year.
An article in this morning’s Union Leader digs deeper into the Meadowbrook story.
“This is an amazing honor for us,” said RJ Harding, president of the Lakes Region concert spot. “We are hoping that the third time is the charm.”
To be nominated, a venue must have had at least six country performances during the year. Meadowbrook in 2009 hosted Sugarland, Alan Jackson, Tim McGraw, Brad Paisley, Big and Rich, Dierks Bentley, Jimmy Wayne, Blake Shelton, Craig Morgan, Luke Bryan, Willie Nelson and Chris Young.
The Meadowbrook U.S. Cellular Pavilion is ranked in the top 50 ampitheaters in the world for attendance for the 2009 season, according to Pollstar, an industry expert in box office attendance.
“We are a mid-sized, privately-owned venue that is competing with 20,000 seat venues owned by national companies to get shows and sell tickets,” said Chris Lockwood, Meadowbrook’s director of marketing.
Harding credits not only industry officials who choose to book acts at Meadowbrook but its loyal following for its success.
“We have the best music fans here in New England,” Harding said. “We could not have done this without them.”
On behalf of all of us here at the New Hampshire Division of Economic Development, congratulations to the incredible management and staff of Meadowbrook and here’s hoping that the Academy honors our homegrown success story with the venue of the year award!
Much thanks to Laura Tiner of the Gilford Steamer for her excellent coverage of our Greenerpalooza event last week. Her story follows below.
Meadowbrook Colors the Town Green
by Lauren Tiner
July 22, 2009
Early Jackson Browne fan arrivals were greeted at the entrance of the Meadowbrook U.S. Cellular Pavilion by clusters of local businesses and utility companies setting up stands for the Greenerpalooza II Energy Efficiency event last Thursday.
Together, Meadowbrook and the New Hampshire Division of Economic Development, alongside Public Service of New Hampshire, and Ocean Bank, sponsored the evening’s festivities.
While the “green” vendors worked the entrance to the pavilion, the first ever Greenerpalooza award was given out at Meadowbrook’s Center Stage Buffet. The recipient was Richard Ober, chair of the NH Energy Efficiency and Sustainable Energy Board, for his 30-year dedication to energy efficiency and renewable energy causes.
“We are on the road to a new energy economy in New Hampshire, with better jobs, more jobs, less fossil use and dealing with climate change. A clean environment is a healthy economy,” said Ober. “There’s not another state like New Hampshire working together. We develop programs and policies that will help New Hampshire. Private facilities like Meadowbrook show other companies the way, and that is what’s changing the direction right now.”
Although Ober said he finds it a privilege to win the first Greenerpalooza award, he noted that there are still hundreds and thousands of people working toward a green state and green world.
Steve Boucher, legislative director from the Division of Economic Development, presented the first award to Ober and spoke on his ties with Meadowbrook.
“We have a tremendous relationship with Meadowbrook. When they went green, it allowed artists to come in and use biofuel to run generators. Sustainable energy is where it’s at.”
The audience is also educated, said Boucher.
“We reached 5,000 people with last year’s event,” he said, “and we are reaching 3,000 people today.”
Meadowbrook has been known to pick artists who are interested in going green.
Chris Lockwood, marketing director of Meadowbrook, explained that last year, the facility decided to go green, conserve energy, cut waste, and find alternative methods to run concerts on.
“We have a comprehensive recycling program, where we recycle glass, paper, and aluminum,” Lockwood said. “Our biodegradable cups here are made out of corn and take five years to decompose in the earth, versus 70 to 80 years for plastic cups.”
Biodiesel is also available for an artist’s tour bus or machinery on site in order to keep the air clean.
“Artists can use our green option anytime,” Lockwood said. “It’s the artist’s preference. Some artists think it can be noisy and choose not to. Being green himself, Jackson Browne wanted to use it.”
According to Lockwood, Meadowbrook’s Greenerpalooza event also educates the concert goers who receive an e-mail on the matter prior to the concert.
“When artists are going green, we can make a bigger impact on the audience,” he said.
Meadowbrook also teamed with local radio station The River for one of their two concerts run on Solar Power with the Crosby Stills and Nash band.
“It went really well, despite the rain,” said Lockwood.
Green savvy New Hampshire stores and utility businesses on site ranged from earth-friendly department stores to Laconia’s Energy Services and Technology Program.
Solar Store representatives Jack Bingham and James H. Gamble ran a video to explain how their energy efficient, solar hot water systems worked as an alternative to fossil fuels.
“It’s actually very simple,” said Gamble, who also had water saving toilets on display.
Many department store stands, such as Real Green Goods from Concord, Mother and Child from Nashua, and 1 World Trading Co., displayed stainless steal water bottles, the seemingly new craze in environmental mindfulness, alongside other local and organic items from t-shirts to jump ropes.
Representative Jonathan Gregory from Real Green Goods, with over 700 products, explained that steel Klean Kanteen products don’t leech into water, while leeching may be possible with plastic bottles.
“There’s a lot of estrogen in some plastics,” he said. “Stainless steel doesn’t rust either, like aluminum. Glass is best, but that doesn’t work for everyone.”
Real Green Goods constantly updates their information and changes their products upon research, said Gregory who hinted the new Smart-strip product may soon become popular in conserving electricity.
Other stores, such as Sundance Solar Co. from Warner, focus on small energy system products, selling cell phone chargers, 12 watt blenders, lanterns, and more run solely by solar power.
With environmental awareness becoming more and more of a business and social priority, fears are lessening about the planet “running on empty.” However, Jackson Browne and the Meadowbrook U.S. Cellular Pavilion still want to do their part to keep eco-friendliness on the top of everyone’s mind.
On July 16th, Ocean Bank and Public Service of New Hampshire, in coordination with the New Hampshire Business Resource Center, will present Greenerpalooza II, a celebration of New Hampshire’s energy efficiency efforts at Meadowbrook U.S. Cellular Pavilion. Set against the backdrop of the much-anticipated Jackson Browne and Shawn Colvin concert, the evening’s festivities will include a special “eco village” on the Meadowbrook midway where New Hampshire businesses and members of the general public will be able to learn how to “go greener.”
“Energy efficiency is an absolutely critical subject for businesses and residents alike,” said New Hampshire Division of Economic Development Communications & Legislative Director Steve Boucher. “When you take a closer look at your energy usage, not only are you helping to protect the environment, you’re improving your bottom line. Energy efficiency equals cost savings.”
Greenerpalooza II is designed to showcase New Hampshire products, services and programs that can help individuals and businesses save energy and dollars.
According to Janet Brewer, Vice President and Director of Community Development at Ocean Bank, “Greenerpalooza is a great way for us to celebrate our Energy Efficiency Program and the terrific partnership we enjoy with the New Hampshire Business Resource Center, while pushing the green initiative further. As part of the eco-village at Meadowbrook, we’ll be on hand so attendees can find out more about this program, as well as about the many different alternatives there are in New Hampshire to help reduce energy consumption.”
Pat McDermott, Economic and Community Development Manager for PSNH, added that the utility is pleased to support the event.
“From an energy-efficiency, environmental and sustainability point of view, the timing couldn’t be better for this event; and Meadowbrook is a great example of how a New Hampshire business is doing the right thing for the environment,” he said.
Meadowbrook was the natural choice for the venue given President R.J. Harding’s concern about the environment. Under his leadership, Meadowbrook has changed the way it does business so it will have the least possible negative impact on the environment.
“We still have a lot of green improvements we want to make as a venue, but for us, the opportunity to create awareness and educate our customers is one of the biggest impacts we can have,” said Meadowbrook Marketing Director Chris Lockwood who was part of the team overseeing last year’s Phase I improvements. “That awareness has led to the introduction of some great partners like WXRV “The River,” one of only two solar powered radio stations in the country. It has also gained the attention of artists who are concerned about the environment and welcome Meadowbrook’s green efforts.”
This year Jackson Browne’s tour has asked to run the sound off Meadowbrook’s biodiesel generator. The tour also has converted their lighting system to LED lights which are much better for the environment.
Tickets to the Jackson Browne and Shawn Colvin concert, which include entry into the eco-village, are available online at www.meadowbrook.net. For more on energy efficiency programs and resources for New Hampshire businesses, call the New Hampshire Business Resource Center at 603-271-2341 or visit www.nheconomy.com.
– Steve Boucher, Communications & Legislative Director
Crow, joined by 2009 BMI Pop Award Songwriter of the year Colbie Caillat, will headline this year’s Greenerpalooza III concert on August 12th at 8 p.m. at the Meadowbrook U.S. Cellular Pavilion.
Greenerpalooza III has brought new partners into the fold for this year’s offering. Citizens Bank, a lending institution that has demonstrated a commitment to the community through its Champions in Action initiative as well as other charitable endeavors, has signed on as a co-sponsor, believing that encouraging sustainability fits in well with their corporate mission.
Earlier this week, the Academy of Country Music announced its nominations for the 45th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards, and for the third time in the past four years, the Meadowbrook U.S. Cellular Pavilion in Gilford finds itself on the list of the top five sites nominated as venue of the year.
“We are on the road to a new energy economy in New Hampshire, with better jobs, more jobs, less fossil use and dealing with climate change. A clean environment is a healthy economy,” said Ober. “There’s not another state like New Hampshire working together. We develop programs and policies that will help New Hampshire. Private facilities like Meadowbrook show other companies the way, and that is what’s changing the direction right now.”
Many department store stands, such as Real Green Goods from Concord, Mother and Child from Nashua, and 1 World Trading Co., displayed stainless steal water bottles, the seemingly new craze in environmental mindfulness, alongside other local and organic items from t-shirts to jump ropes.
Real Green Goods constantly updates their information and changes their products upon research, said Gregory who hinted the new Smart-strip product may soon become popular in conserving electricity.
On July 16th, Ocean Bank and Public Service of New Hampshire, in coordination with the New Hampshire Business Resource Center, will present Greenerpalooza II, a celebration of New Hampshire’s energy efficiency efforts at Meadowbrook U.S. Cellular Pavilion. Set against the backdrop of the much-anticipated Jackson Browne and Shawn Colvin concert, the evening’s festivities will include a special “eco village” on the Meadowbrook midway where New Hampshire businesses and members of the general public will be able to learn how to “go greener.”
Meadowbrook was the natural choice for the venue given President R.J. Harding’s concern about the environment. Under his leadership, Meadowbrook has changed the way it does business so it will have the least possible negative impact on the environment.