Sustaining Growth

FAI is determined to address the environmental impact of our organization including our office, operations, year-round events, annual conference, camp, and festival. Over the course of the last year, we have been learning and adapting in a concerted effort towards responsible environmental stewardship and sustainable growth by reducing FAI's footprint.

We have partnered with local agencies Bridging the Gap, Mid-America Regional Council Solid Waste Management District, and the Westin Crown Center hotel to create an ambitious and achievable plan to meet our goals of increased recycling and maximum waste-diversion in our office and events.

#FAI2017 - A Green Conference

• Elimination of disposable cups 
• Sustainable wood hotel room key cards
• 4-stream monitored recycling stations 
• Reduced use of posters and flyers on ground and ballroom floors
• Increased digital advertising options and placement
• 100% Recycled paper and soy ink use for all print materials
• Inaugural Clearwater Award 

BYOWB: Bring Your Own Water Bottle

To cut down on waste at this year's conference, the hotel is no longer supplying disposable cups for water on the conference floors. Pitchers of water will still be provided.

Please bring your own water bottle. Or consider purchasing an FAI-branded water bottle. Available via pre-order until February 10 ($7.50 for members $10 for non-members) and available for pickup or purchase onsite at the conference merch table on the ballroom floor.

Proceeds from each bottle sold enable FAI to offset the increased production cost of 100% recycled print materials.

4-Stream Sorting

#FAI2017 will feature recycling stations with multiple compartments to help pre-sort different materials and aid in collection and processing of compostable, recyclable, and landfill items. Trained volunteers will make up a "Green Team" that will staff each station to assist with material separation. We still ask that all FAI delegates make an effort to be "waste wise" and sort all waste into the appropriate containers. 

Digital Ads

This year posters and flyers will not be displayed on the Ground & Ballroom floors in an effort to reduce waste. Replacing them will be digital screens where ad space may be purchased.  

Ads are displayed in rotation for 8 seconds with approximately 100 other ads and seen hundreds of times per day. Each ad is $60 (limit four per purchase). Ad specs and link to purchase here. FINAL ARTWORK DUE 5:00 pm January 31, 2017.

For questions or more information contact Alex Mallett at sales@folk.org.

Clearwater Award

As part of a permanent commitment to honoring the socially-conscious roots of folk music, FAI has launched a new award for the 2017 International Folk Music Awards Show.

The Clearwater Award will be presented annually to a festival that prioritizes environmental stewardship and demonstrates public leadership in education and sustainable event production. 

The inaugural Clearwater Award will be presented to its namesake organization, the Clearwater Festival now in its 50th year and recognized as one the world’s largest and most proactive environmentally focused cultural events.  For more information please read our recent announcement.

"Green" Ways to Get Here and Get Around

KC Streetcar A FREE light rail system connecting downtown KC neighborhoods with 16 platform stops and 2 miles of track.

Hotel and Ride Share Forum connect with fellow members and carpool to FAI.

Amtrak provides a fast, affordable, and greener alternative for travel to FAI.

BCycle is a 24/7 public bike share system for short trips.

Uber and taxis for a local transportation and ride sharing.

Getting There Greener, an in-depth guide to more sustainable travel.

The 4 R's

REFUSE. REDUCE. RE-USE. RECYCLE
Change starts at home and we've adopted new habits for environmental sustainability in our home office. Those efforts include:

• Installing two compost bins, multiple 3-way recycling. stations, and a significant reduction in trash can capacity.
• 100% Recycled paper for in-office printing.
• 100% Recycled paper and soy ink used for all commercial print projects.
• Increased digital communication and reduction in print mailouts.

Powerful Partners

FAI has received training and logistical support from Bridging the Gap (BTG), a Kansas City sustainability-focused nonprofit.  BTG will help train the “Green Team” volunteers who will monitor the recycling stations. 





FAI’s focus on enhanced green practices at the conference has informed and encouraged the Westin's move to adopt more robust sustainability standards and practices throughout the year, with the hotel implementing a full composting program in time for the conference. 

Make A Green Choice is the hotel's corporate sustainability program in which guests can help reduce their environmental footprint by foregoing full housekeeping for up to three days in a row (excluding check-out day). For each night a guest opts into the program, they receive a $5 food & beverage voucher. Delegates can choose to donate their points to FAI by dropping off their Green Choice cards at the info booth.

Our Premium Sponsors

Interested in sponsorship with FAI? Access our sales brochure here, or email Alex at development@folk.org.

Thank You to Our Funders

All sponsors & donors are listed at www.folk.org.