The Green Meeting Industry Council is growing. The nonprofit organization has launched its first official affiliate organization, the GMIC Oregon Chapter, led by Megan Rooksby, American Express Corporate Meeting Solutions. Chapters are also being organized in Atlanta, Chicago, Denver, Florida, Northern California, and Southern California, and, in addition, GMIC is exploring international development in Canada, Mexico, and Europe.

“Before the end of the year, we’ll probably see two or three more official chapters form,” says Tamara Kennedy-Hill, executive director of GMIC, which now has 470 members in 17 countries. She predicts Atlanta, Chicago, and Denver will be the next to come online. “We are getting requests [to form chapters] all the time, both in the U.S. and internationally,” she adds.

In order to form a chapter, an area must have a least 30 GMIC members (consisting of both planners and suppliers). Before filing paperwork to become incorporated, members must petition GMIC leadership, stating their desire to form a chapter and the initiatives the chapter will focus on once affiliated. “The GMIC chapter-launch program was initiated over a year ago, and the rationale is … to make change happen on a local level through education and training. We want to make sure [members in] every community have the opportunity to be involved in their own area and help make a difference in the industry,” says Kennedy-Hill.

The new chapter’s inaugural event, “GMIC Oregon Kickoff Reception: Let's Talk Trash," will be July 15 in Portland. Go to the chapter’s Web site for details and to register.