The Push for a Greener Super Bowl

The President of Green Real Estate Education Speaks Out

Comments

By Kerry Mitchell

My group Green Real Estate Education has been promoting the basics of becoming "green" to the real estate industry for some time, and now I would like to discuss the merits of a "Green Superbowl." It is a "must!"

Green Real Estate Education has instructed more than 3,100 real estate professionals in nine states, and is now pushing my hometown to green the biggest game of the year. The Superbowl will be held again in Tampa, Florida in February. They have the opportunity to really make a difference. Many stadiums are going green, so why not here in Tampa Bay?

Florida is becoming green in its initiatives, and our governor is really terrific. Plus the NFL has made such a difference in their tree planting and recycling programs in years past. But now they need to take their efforts to another level.

I am contacting the management of Raymond James Stadium, home of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Specifically, I am recommending that they work with green vendors, and make upgrades such as high efficiency lighting on the field and install low-flow toilets. These are upgrades that can be on-going during the regular season.

The stadium's management company would see a huge decline in operating expenses, so it is a win-win situation. According to the U.S. Green Building Council, many commercial buildings that go through a rating process are seeing a reduction in operating costs. It is mind boggling to think of the amount of greenhouse gasses that could be lowered if homes in over 40 countries turned off their lights at half time even for 30 seconds.

I have met with Stephanie Owens Royster, director of public relations for the Tampa Bay Super Bowl Host Committee, and Jack Groh, Environmental Program Director for the NFL. They have done some terrific outreach in the past, and I urged them to go the extra mile and take this to a new level. I did get a good response, and they said they would be back in touch. I hope so.

Kerry Mitchell is the founder and course developer of Green Real Estate Education, which is on target to educate more than 20,000 real estate professionals in going green by 2009. Mitchell established the recognized certification for the real estate industry, the GCREP.GL. She worked for 14 years as a licensed real estate broker in Maryland and Florida, where she now resides.

COMMENTS ()