ESPN’s continued commitment to environmentally friendly initiatives will be showcased by the “Greening of the Summit” at the 2014 espnW: Women + Sports Summit taking place October 8-10 at the St. Regis Monarch Beach Resort in Dana Point, Calif. For the first time, the Summit will be designated as a carbon-neutral event.

espnW will offset more than 350 tons of carbon emissions generated by air and ground travel to and from the Summit and emissions from operations during the three-day event.

In addition, ESPN’s Green Team will provide composting containers and equipment onsite, as well as a local expert to manage the composting effort. ESPN-branded recycling bins will be displayed prominently throughout the St. Regis grounds, including in meeting rooms, dining rooms and on terraces.

“The espnW Summit is the premier event of its kind in the sports industry,” said Fabian DeGarbo, ESPN senior manager, sustainability.  “Adding vibrant sustainability efforts, which are very important to ESPN and The Walt Disney Company, only enhances the leadership position of the Summit.”

As part of the Summit program, professional snowboarder Gretchen Bleiler will speak about Making an Impact: Building a Platform for Positive Change, highlighting the “Greening of the Summit” initiative and her personal efforts to build a platform around environmental activism and consciousness, while inspiring attendees to do the same.

The annual espnW: Women + Sports Summit brings together top athletes and thought leaders from the sports industry and beyond, offering compelling presentations, expert panels and interactive sessions. Throughout the multi-day event, ideas are turned into action items, aimed at driving greater opportunities for women in sports.

Ongoing ESPN sustainability efforts include ESPN’s headquarters in Bristol, Conn., multiple ESPYs and X Games events, and College GameDay.

About espnW

espnW serves women who love sports. espnW.com provides an engaging environment that offers total access to female athletes and the sports they play, takes fans inside the biggest events, and shares a unique point of view on the sports stories that matter most to women. Founded in July, 2010, espnW lives across television, films, events, digital and social platforms. The annual espnW: Women + Sports Summit is the leading event of its kind in the sports industry. The Women’s Sports Foundation is a charity of choice for espnW.

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