JacksonÂ’s Bentwood Inn is Honored to Host Leaders in the Field of Sustainable Travel

(EMAILWIRE.COM, February 09, 2009 ) Jackson, Wyo.Â— The Bentwood Inn, a luxury bed and breakfast located in Jackson, Wyoming will be hosting members of TIES (The International Ecotourism Society) and STI (Sustainable Travel International) for a formal evening of presentations on Â“Sustainable Travel Trends.Â” The evening has been organized as an opportunity for community leaders in Jackson to learn about cutting edge efforts to raise the bar of sustainability in the travel and tourism industry. The Â“Sustainable Travel TrendsÂ” evening will take place on Saturday, February 28th, 2009.

Among the guests guests of the Inn will be Kelly Bricker, the current TIES Board Chair, the entire TIES staff, and the leadership team from STI: Brian Mullis, Peter Krahenbuhl and Ted Martens. There will be three short presentations focused on the recent launch of the Global Sustainable Tourism Coalition (GSTC), STIÂ’s eco-certification program called STEP, and the Bentwood InnÂ’s own efforts to reduce their environmental footprint. The presentations will be followed by a discussion about the relevance of sustainable travel trends on Jackson Hole as a premier ecotourism destination in the US.

Dr. Kelly Bricker, TIES Board Chair, is a member of the advisory panel for the Global Sustainable Tourism Coalition (GSTC), the organization created by the World Trade Organization to establish a baseline for certification schemes. Dr. Bricker completed her Ph.D. research with Penn State University while focusing on sustainable tourism and natural resource recreation management, with special interest in ecotourism. She is an Associate Professor at the University of Utah.

STI's eco-certification program, known as STEP, is the world's first comprehensive, global sustainable tourism eco-certification program offered by a non-profit organization. It is designed to aid tourism businesses of all sizes ensure the preservation of destinations and cultures. The presentations about STEP, given by STI leadership, will educate local tourism organizations about how they can become involved.

To find out more about the Â“Sustainable Travel TrendsÂ” evening, the GSTC, STEP: or The Bentwood Inn, please call 1-307-739-1411 or visit it on the web at www.bentwoodinn.com.

About TIES
Founded in 1990, TIES is the largest and oldest ecotourism organization in the world dedicated to promoting and disseminating information about ecotourism and sustainable tourism. TIES currently has members in over 90 countries including tour operators, lodge owners and managers, academics, consultants, conservation professionals, governments, architects, development experts, NGOÂ’s, the media, and travelers. As a non-governmental organization, TIES is unique in its efforts to provide guidelines and standards, training, technical assistance, research and publications to foster sound ecotourism development.

About STI
Founded in 2002, Sustainable Travel International (STI) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, dedicated to providing education and outreach services that help travelers, travel providers and related organizations support environmental conservation and protect cultural heritage while promoting cross-cultural understanding and economic development.

About The Bentwood Inn
The Bentwood Inn offers five rooms of relaxed luxury and personalized service, a complete concierge with an understood level of privacy and exquisite food prepared by an in-house chef. The Bentwood Inn is a luxury bed and breakfast nestled on 3 acres of Jackson Hole solitude, a couple of casts away from the Snake River and just down the road from the South Entrance to Grand Teton National Park. The luxurious Â“iconic log lodgeÂ” has over 6,000 square feet of comfort, expansive decks and a 3-story river rock fireplace and Baby Grand Piano in the Great Room. From weddings and large groups, to families interested in staying at a classic mountain lodge, The Bentwood Inn is a welcoming, intimate lodge, focused on food, hospitality, and creating personalized experiences for each of its guests. As the only property in Wyoming, The Bentwood Inn was recently selected to join the elite Select Registry, an association of 400 exceptional lodges throughout North America

Bentwood Inn
Peter and Jennifer Tignor
Tel: 307.739.1411
Email: info@bentwoodinn.com
Web: www.bentwoodinn.com
Click Here for Media Kit

The Bentwood Inn
Stephanie Moreland
832-755-7661
stephanie@atmstravelnews.com