This honor follows closely on the heels of the Bently Reserve’s selection as one of the Best of 2010 at The Knot.

The BayList is an interactive city guide featuring promotional contests hosted by the San Francisco Chronicle. The BayList profiles local businesses and allows consumers to vote for and recommend their favorites. Eligible businesses are nominated by readers and winners are determined by popular vote, meaning that Bay Area locals choose the Best of 2010. More than 71,000 people voted in this year’s contest.

Vivian Perez, the Event and Sales Manager at the Bently Reserve, had this to say about the event space: “The Banking Hall is not only a beautiful space, but it is also very versatile. Because of that, we have been able to host the most diverse weddings in San Francisco. The space lends itself to all sorts of weddings — from the traditional to the ethnic to the modern — and we really enjoy working with the most creative planners and brides on the West Coast.”

Everyone at the Bently Reserve is thrilled that San Francisco has shown its appreciation for the innovative weddings we host. Thanks to all who voted!

July 7, 2010, from 6-10pm

Participating Vendors include:

• Asiel Design
• Batch from Scratch
• Best Beverage Catering
• Cake Coquette
• Cards De Luxe
• Chisel-It Ice
• Enhanced Lighting & Sound
• Get Your Do Up
• Hartmann Studios
• Janae Shields Photography
• Lash Lab
• Le Meridien
• Napa Valley Linens
• Nouvelle Vogue
• Oye Productions
• Studio AYT
• Studio MSV
• Style Unveiled
• The Flirty Guide
• Thomas John Events
• Today’s Bridevents
• Today’s Bride

And many more…

RSVP soon at Promises & Pearls — the event is sure to sell out fast!

A Sustainable Season

We’re partnering with California’s first LEED Certified hotels to offer you even more: enjoy exclusive discounts and amenities at the Orchard Hotels when you book your event with us!

These offers are exclusive, and cannot be combined for the same event or conference. Event must be booked for a date on or before September 15; not applicable to events that have already been booked.

Sponsored by the Bently Reserve and Orchard Hotels, A Common Green is a meeting of minds for the Bay Area’s environmental communities and leaders, giving them the chance to join their efforts in improving the quality of life for the entire West Coast. The possibilities for new partnerships, projects, and initiatives are endless — but the goal for a greener future is common to all of the participants!

A Common Green will begin in the Bently Reserve’s Banking Hall with a showcase of innovative and sustainable designs for the home and office. After the showcase, a celebrated keynote speaker will give a lively talk in the Conference Center, followed by the opportunity to meet the local representatives of forward-thinking organizations. Some of these businesses include:

• Bently BioFuels
• SF Department of the Environment
• BC3
• The Energy Foundation
• Natural Resources Defense Council

Last year’s event was an inspiring success — make sure to join the Bay Area’s environmental leaders for this gathering of the Bay Area’s greenest businesses!

A Common Green

August 25th, 2010 at the Bently Reserve

4:30 pm-7:30 pm

Main sponsors: Bently Reserve and Orchard Hotels

Catering by Back to Earth Catering

Starting in April 2010, the Bently Reserve began offering, as an option, the use of a “Charity ATM” during events. Every time a guest withdraws money from the ATM, a portion of the transaction fee will be donated to either the charity holding the event at the Reserve, or the charitable organization of the host’s choice. If a charity is not selected, but the client would still like to have the ATM available, the Bently Reserve can also select a worthy charity.

Who knew that you could make a difference while holding an ATM card in one hand and a Cosmo in the other?

For more information on the partner organization, Charity ATMs, please visit their site.

Paula LeDuc Fine Catering, one of San Francisco’s most influential caterers, has designed a menu exclusively for the Bently Reserve Conference Center. Featuring delectable items, this menu was specially created to be the centerpiece of any meeting, and to match the elegance of the Bently Reserve. All dishes are playfully presented in keepsake bento boxes and feature fresh seasonal ingredients.

The menu for Spring of 2010 features items such as Roast Halibut, Smoked Bacon and Grilled Treviso and Prosciutto and Eggplant Sandwich with Smoked Tomato “Jam.”

Catering can be coordinated through the Bently Reserve — it’s never been easier to plan a great meeting with us!

However, the Bently Reserve will still be open and available for walkthroughs during those days, so please let us know if you’d still like to visit — we’d love to share a glass of champagne with you!

If you are still interested in learning more about Blueprint Studios and their bridal production services, please visit their site.

We apologize for any inconvenience, and we look forward to meeting you!

• May 5: 6pm-8pm
• May 7: 10am-3pm
• May 8: 9am-1pm
• May 9: 2pm-5pm

The Bently Reserve has also been featured in other high profile publications, such as:

• The Knot: Northern California , Fall 2009 Issue
• San Francisco Brides (Premier Issue)
• San Francisco Brides , Fall 2009
• Inside Weddings , Fall 2007
• I Do Magazine , Spring 2009

About The Knot:

The Knot is the Internet’s most-trafficked one-stop wedding planning solution. Founded in 1996 to offer a much-needed alternative to the white-gloved, outdated advice of the available etiquette experts, The Knot has quickly become America’s leading wedding brand reaching out to millions of engaged couples each year through our award-winning website, books, magazines, and broadcast offerings.

The Bently Reserve has been nominated as a finalist for the BayList’s Best Wedding Venues Contest — we’re thrilled to be nominated, but it’s up to you to rank us as the best wedding venue in San Francisco. You can learn more here.

If you’ve held or attended an unforgettable wedding at the Reserve, vote for us today.

About Earth Hour 2010

On Earth Hour hundreds of millions of people, organizations, corporations and governments around the world will come together to make a bold statement about their concern for climate change by doing something quite simple — turning off their lights for one hour. In the U.S. where we are already feeling the impacts of climate change, Earth Hour sends a clear message that Americans care about this issue and want to turn the lights out on dirty air, dangerous dependency on foreign oil and costly climate change impacts, and make the switch to cleaner air, a strong economic future and a more secure nation.

Participation is easy. By flipping off your lights on March 27th at 8:30 p.m. local time you will be making the switch to a cleaner, more secure nation and prosperous America. View the toolkits to find out what else you can do to get involved including leading the Earth Hour movement in your community.

Protect Yourself

• Share your shopping plans with someone you trust — it’s important that someone knows where you are at all times.
• The more the merrier: shop with friends or family, especially after dark.
• Avoid over-using your iPhone or iPod: these are some of the most popular items among thieves, and they can make you a target.
• Dress casually and comfortably. And while we know you’ll want to look great while you shop, try not to wear excessive jewelry.
• Be wary of ATM’s: only use machines that are both well-lighted and highly visible to passerby.
• Be aware of your surroundings at all times. Avoid talking on your cell phone and using other gadgets in public; these devices decrease your awareness.
• Park your vehicle in a well-lighted area. When returning, keep your keys in hand and lock the doors once you’re inside.
• If shopping with children, make sure they know what to do if they become separated from you.
• If someone demands your purse or wallet, try to remember that those holiday goodies aren’t worth your life!

Protect Your Identity

• Carry only what you can afford to lose. Don’t cary large amounts of cash, and never bring all your credit cards on a shopping excursion.
• Travelers should avoid shopping with irreplaceable documents such as passports and drivers licenses; if traveling abroad, bring photocopies of all these documents in case they are lost or stolen.
• Make sure you have a record of all your credit card numbers, so that you can quickly report them if stolen.
• Double-check every credit card receipt at the store. When you get home, shred receipts that contain sensitive information.
• Review your credit card statements to make sure there aren’t any unauthorized charges.

Protect your Possessions

• When parking your car, stash any valuables in the trunk, glove box, or even under the seats. As the old adage goes: out of sight, out of mind!
• As we said before, park your car in a well-lighted area, and try to avoid using parking garages late at night.
• Men should keep their wallets in the front pocket, and women should keep their wallets hidden within their purse. Women should also carry the purse close to the body, and men should keep wallets in zippered pockets.
• Never overload yourself with packages: this makes you a vulnerable target.

A Special Reminder to Our Friends Using the 240 Stockton Street Garage

• Theft in this garage is known to increase during the holiday season. Please remember to keep your possessions out of sight (preferably in your trunk).
• These Holiday caveats are a good reminder to keep your monthly parking cards out of site in your vehicle. We suggest keeping them in your wallet or purse – this item alone tempts individuals to break in, no matter what season!

The most important part of holiday safety is awareness: if you see something suspicious, say something. Be wary of strangers who approach you for any reason; the holidays are the busiest season for con men and other thieves. With a little common sense and some preventative measures, you’ll have a great time shopping for friends and family!

The good news? It’s not as hard as it seems to be mindful of our eating habits, our health, and our fitness during this time of year.

We can all agree that the holiday weeks can be treated as an intentional period of reduced training volume. But it’s important to remember that any planned reduction in training is best preceded by a period of increased training volume. So consider this your time to shine, and hit the gym with everything you have before the festivities begin!

Here’s how you do it in just three workouts per week:

• Assign one workout a week to doing heavier weights with lower repetitions than you normally do (you should aim to reach exhaustion by 10 reps).
• Assign another workout to lighter weights with higher repetitions (18-25) for a long, sustained burn.
• Finally, assign a third workout to a middle range of reps (12-18), but do more sets than usual.

When you are overloading (training more than you are accustomed to), it’s crucial to allow active recovery days between workouts: make sure that you get two consecutive rest days of light training, or even total rest, each week. This allows your body to fully recover.

If you work extra hard these next two weeks, you’ll have a truly relaxing and enjoyable holiday season — without losing fitness or feeling guilty.

While you’re relaxing, remember that your body will be happiest if you stay active. Although you won’t be doing anything strenuous, make sure to take light walks, do some yoga, stretch out a bit, or move your body in whatever way is most enjoyable to you. Working out is also a great way to relieve some of that holiday stress. And whether you’re with friends and family, or taking a well deserved and warm vacation, you’ll look and feel fantastic!

And finally, to help you jump-start a healthy holiday, we’re offering holiday special of introductory sessions for only $75! Learn more at coachlark.com.

Have a Happy & Healthy Holiday Season,

Coach Lark

About Coach Lark and Infinite Fitness:

Infinite Fitness prides itself on delivering the most up-to-date training philosophy and methods in the most accessible form. We promise results, but more importantly, we promise that you will enjoy the process of getting there. Prepare to push yourself and feel the healthiest and strongest of your life. Our private gym at the Bently Reserve is a state-of-the-art physical training facility with a strong commitment to your health as well as the health of our community and the earth.


“We’re proud of the Bently Reserve because it’s one of the city’s most architecturally stunning buildings and now one of its most sustainable,” says Bently Holdings CEO Christopher Bently. “It’s a beautiful building with some old bones, but a very modern heart.”

About LEED-CS


The LEED certification was specifically awarded for the environmental upgrades to the building’s “core and shell,” meaning that the certification applies to significant environmental upgrades done to the building’s structure, envelope, heating, ventilating, and air conditioning systems. This certification compliments LEED certification for interiors, which is pending for the conference center and main event halls. LEED-Core and Shell also helps future tenants “go green” by giving them a foundation of environmental upgrades to build upon; many such upgrades have already been completed on the interior of the building by Bently Holdings, as well as in the offices by building tenants. Learn more about LEED here.

A History of Leadership


Since purchasing the building in 2005, Bently Holdings owners Christopher and Amber Marie Bently have cultivated a green environment by requiring all new tenants to design their office space at a minimum of LEED Silver Certified. One of these tenants, the Energy Foundation, became the first commercial space in San Francisco — and one of only thirteen worldwide — to receive LEED-CI Platinum Certification from the US Green Building Council.


Bently Holdings has worked closely with the SmithGroup and BCCI Builders to update and remodel the building while preserving its unique Beaux-Arts style. New flooring was purchased from Forest Stewardship Council certified sources. Artificial lighting was re-designed to interact with natural sources, a daylight harvesting system was implemented, and a central automation and control network was installed to monitor occupancy and save energy in real time. Throughout the refit, demolished material was recycled in excess of 75 percent, and any new paints were low VOC (volatile organic compound).

Modern eco-friendly amenities abound, such as the thirty-three indoor bicycle parking spaces that make green commuting much more convenient for tenants. The building also boasts some of the most sophisticated office and conference technologies in the City. But does the investment outweigh the risk? According to Amber Marie Bently, the president of Bently Holdings, it does: “We feel owning a LEED-Certified building gives us a competitive advantage in the market even during such an economically difficult time.”

Preserving San Francisco History

One might think that refitting an eighty-five year old building to meet and exceed modern green standards would take away from its historic charm, but Bently Holdings has methodically preserved this building’s original magnificence. From the lavish mural in the lobby by celebrated artist Jules Guerin, to the prominent Beaux-Arts Ionic Colonnade, to the dazzling period chandeliers in the Banking Hall, the Bently Reserve is as much a part of San Francisco’s colorful past as its bright future.


About Bently Holdings:
 Founded in 2001 as a sustainable luxury real estate and property holdings company, Bently Holdings has become a benchmark for California’s green building initiatives.

This is the BRAF’s largest celebration of extraordinary community artists and the resounding spirit they all share. On November 20 the Bently Reserve will once again be transformed into “an enchanted world of lush decor, captivating entertainment, and tempting libations. Participate in interactive art experiences created by community visionaries. Be the art!”

There will also be a pre-event dinner, cocktails, and an auction. Tickets for this sensational avant-garde gathering went on sale September 18, and it’s sure to sell out — make sure to get yours soon!

Visitors mingled amidst an upscale casual setting MCd by Ecofabulous founder Zem Joaquin, who kept things as flavorful as the elegant edibles served by Paula LeDuc Fine Catering – one of many eco-aware vendors stationed throughout the conference center. Body Mechanics from Pit Stop Massage took the term rubbing shoulders to another level by providing therapeutic tune ups to the delight of all in attendance. For eco-warriors wanting a different type of refreshment, organic libation flowed freely courtesy of Hallcrest Vineyards. A special tour of The Energy Foundation’s beautiful new LEED-certified offices at the Bently Reserve inspired our guests; this is the first commercial space in San Francisco, and one of only thirteen worldwide, to receive LEED-CI Platinum Certification from the US Green Building Council.

Hosts Chris and Amber Marie Bently took a moment to thank the crowd for their continued diligence in remaining eco-friendly, as did Orchard Hotel general manager Stefan Mhle. This amazing evening of optimism culminated with a green spirited keynote address by environmental leader Wade Crowfoot, Political Director of the West Coast at the Environmental Defense Fund. Wade also worked with San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom as Director of Climate Protection. Wade urged everyone to remain steadfast in furthering the environmental movement which ultimately binds us all together.

A Common Green was born out of a joint effort between LEED certified Orchard Hotels and the Bently Reserve, two of San Franciscos epicenters of ecological concern. The paramount motivation behind this historic event was to gather like minded individuals under one roof with the hope of taking productive steps to establish an intelligent, eco-friendly blueprint for current and future generations to follow. This is the first reduced carbon footprint of many in an effort to save our planet from ourselves.

The Bently Reserve looks forward to seeing new faces and ideas next year at the only eco-summit where strangers can come together as allies with a common goal at A Common Green.

Update: while the strike has been averted, these are still fantastic tips to travel green every day. Perhaps some of our readers can learn from the plans they made for a possible strike.

Commuting to Work

For the Conservative Conservationist

One of the simplest and most common ways to go green is carpooling. Not only does it limit harmful emissions by reducing the number of vehicles on the road, but it makes you feel good about reducing your carbon footprint. Other advantages to carpooling include shortened commute time and the financial benefit of sharing toll charges that can top six bucks, depending on the route you travel.

Sounds awesome right? But what if you find yourself unable to fill the seats necessary to avoid getting a $381.00 ticket from the Highway Patrol for illegal use of the High Occupancy Vehicle Lane? Or say you decide to take on the role of rider but cannot stomach the notion, or even worse, the fragrance of mass transit? Well, you need look no further than the line forming on your local street corner. Causal Car Pooling, or “Slugging” is the practice of waiting to be picked up by a random driver looking to reach the HOV passenger minimum, which is usually 3 or more people. To become a Slugger all you need to do is show up at a designated pick up spot in your city and wait to be picked up. That’s it. And once you obtain a ride, simply follow these basic Slugging etiquette tips and you’re on your way to being green:

• No talking unless the driver initiates conversation.
• Never accept a ride out of turn.
• No open windows unless all passengers approve.
• No money is ever exchanged or requested.
• Go easy on the cologne and perfume. Also, no personal grooming inside the vehicle.
• Smoking and drinking of beverages is prohibited, unless the driver permits it.
• The driver has full control of the radio and passengers may not request a station or change the volume. Also please refrain from yelling out “that’s my $%@! jam!” should your favorite song be played.
• Drivers are not to pick up Sluggers en route to or standing outside the line, a practice referred to as “body-snatching.”

Finer Point:

“Slugging” originated in the 1970’s with city bus drivers who had to determine if prospective riders standing at the bus stop were “real” passengers waiting for the bus, or fake “slugs” waiting to be picked up by a car pooler looking to fill up his vehicle. More useful travel tips and information on Slugging can be found at slug-lines.com.

For the Green Giant

Should you choose to jump into being green with both feet first, then mass transit is a step in the right direction. Leaving your your car at home for just one day will have a positive environmental impact by reducing the harmful carbon emissions responsible for the Greenhouse Effect. Thankfully the Bay Area has a myriad of options for public transportation including the following:

AC Transit provides service originating in the East Bay and services San Francisco, San Mateo and Palo Alto. AC Transit currently operates 3 hydrogen powered buses on their 50 and 57 lines, and has plans plans to purchase 10 hybrid-diesel buses in the future. For your convenience AC Transit also offers wireless internet on some buses that serve Transbay lines.

SF MUNI services the city and county of San Francisco. Its network is a combination of bus, trolley, Muni Metro and historic cable car lines. Many buses in their 1000 vehicle fleet are diesel-powered, with a little less than 1/3 that are zero-emission and powered by overhead electrical wires. Underground Muni Metro rail systems typically share the same station as BART.

Further information on these and other transit options servicing the Peninsula such as Caltrain, Golden Gate Transit, and SamTrans can be found here at 511.org.

Tips for traveling the rails? Trains typically run every 5 to 15 minutes during commuting hours, so it’s okay if you miss one. You don’t want to be the guy who holds everyone up because your JanSport backpack got caught while bursting through closing doors.

Finer Point:

The IRS now allows up to 120.00 per month in pre-tax transit benefits which can be applied toward the purchase of qualified transportation expenses. Check with your employer to get the process started.

For the Tree Hugger

If you feel like car pooling isn’t green enough or that using public transportation is child’s play, then you may want to consider mankind’s most basic form of transportation: walking. Walking is very simple. It requires no fossil fuel consumption, no expensive maintenance, and has health benefits to boot. Some would say walking is the most perfect form of green transportation that you can find, and it’s also good for you. Unless of course you accidentally walk through a bad neighborhood and then we would highly recommend you break into a slow jog or maybe even consider running. You can avoid this pedestrian hazard by using websites like mapmywalk.com to plan the optimal route if you are unfamiliar with the area. Basic membership is free, but if you want to be able to print your mapped route then you will need to upgrade to a premium account which is only five bucks a month.

Not a walker? Then you may want to look into bike commuting. It also has obvious health benefits and under the Bicycle Commuter Act, a $20.00 per month tax credit is available for employees who bike to work. There is a wealth of information on bike commuting at bikecommuters.com. You can also check back here at a later date for more information on the subject.

Flipside of the coin:

Believe it or not some environmental experts believe the physical act of walking is actually more harmful to the environment than driving a car. For example, a person who walks 3 miles to a shopping center will lose more calories than a person who drives the same distance. The extra food needed to replace those lost calories, approximately 100 per mile, will most likely have been produced using an industrial process that is more harmful to the environment than the CO2 emissions coming from a 3 mile trip in a vehicle. Of course the entire theory is thrown out the window if the driver is going to the mall for a hoagie. You can form your own opinion by reading this article in its entirety.

Consider yourself officially enlisted in the ongoing fight to save our planet. You now have the knowledge to be eco-friendly, or at the very least, fortify your current efforts. These easy commuting tips will undoubtedly help you arrive to work feeling greener!

Arriving on time may be a different story.

A first of its kind for San Francisco, A Common Green will give eco-friendly organizations the chance to network, communicate, and coordinate their efforts under one green roof. The possibilities for new partnerships, collaborations, and initiatives are endless — but the goal for a greener future is common to all. San Francisco’s most influential energy leaders, nonprofits, organizations, and entrepreneurs will be in attending this sustainable soiree.

The event will be held at the LEED-registered Bently Reserve on Thursday, August 20th, from 5 to 7 p.m. Green Certified caterer Paula LeDuc Fine Catering will provide delicious hors d’oeuvres made with local and sustainable ingredients, paired with organic wine provided by Hallcrest Vineyards. A special surprise guest speaker will be making a keynote address.

“This will be the first time an event in San Francisco has worked to bring all green nonprofits, foundations, universities, green minded entrepreneurs and businesses together to meet, learn about activities and projects, and discover areas where we can collaborate to further environmental conservation,”

says Christopher Bently, CEO of Bently Holdings.

His wife Amber Marie, the President of Bently Holdings and a prominent eco-couture jewelry designer, added

“We believe this is an especially important time to be hosting this event. As funding for environmental initiatives has become more challenging yet environmental issues are pressing, networking and collaboration can uncover opportunities and solutions otherwise left untapped.”

In what will become an annual event, A Common Green is a meeting of minds for the Bay Area’s many environmental communities and leaders, giving them the chance to create concerted efforts to improve the quality of life for the entire West Coast.

About the Orchard Hotels: California’s first LEED-NC hotel, the Orchard Garden Hotel, and San Francisco’s first LEED-EB hotel, the Orchard Hotel, each offer a distinctive experience in one of the most vibrant cities on the planet. Our boutique spaces deliver a mix of classic charm, outstanding service, and contemporary panache for both business and pleasure travelers.

About the Bently Reserve: A famously grand and state-of-the-art facility, the Bently Reserve and Conference Center offers a one-of-a-kind setting for up to 650 guests. Featuring advanced technologies, legendary ambiance, and unparalleled eco-friendliness, the Reserve hosts innovative meetings, cosmopolitan conferences, intimate gatherings, and groundbreaking events.

Billed as “an intelligent action/adventure/Ocean’s-Eleven-like horror film wrapped around a tale of redemption and ultimate revenge,” The Cove is a documentary that follows an elite reconnaissance team to the picturesque fishing village of Taiji, Japan.

The Cove will be showing at 12:00 p.m., 2:25 p.m., 4:45 p.m., 7:10 p.m., and 9:45 p.m. Bring your ticket stub to the Aventine for a drink compliments of Heart of Green, and meet and mingle with special guests local eco-glitterati from 9 p.m. to midnight.

We think this is an important cause and a groundbreaking film – so after you see the film, you should get involved. This special event is being managed by the amazing Nadine Weil, founder of Heart of Green and VP of ecofabulous.

Like it or not, the attention span of the tech savvy business professional seems to get shorter with every mundane power point presentation. When people are more interested in texting, Tweeting, or updating their Facebook status, it can be increasingly complicated to stay on task and maintain linear focus during a meeting. Why not stimulate your associates with unique and modern edge features that encourage raising the bar instead of just raising their hands. Forward thinking establishments like the Bently Reserve located in San Francisco’s simmering Financial District, offer conference space with “wall talkers” which allow for spontaneous creative expression via innovative coverings that enable you to write directly on the wall with dry erase markers. You can now ditch that ridiculous oversized yellow note pad and let your inspirations roam freely!

And while we’re on the topic of roaming, taking 5 to 10 minute breaks on a regular basis can serve as a welcome mental reboot to avoid the seemingly inevitable “conference crawl.” You can also sustain higher mental alertness by doing simple things like serving fruit instead of sugary pastries and making sure the room has plenty of natural sunlight. Giving consistent opportunities for respite also avoids putting attendees in the awkward position of being the person who must interrupt the meeting because they can no longer ignore their ever expanding bladder. Throw a quick game into the mix for good measure and you are well on your way to a promptly paced powwow!

Dreading yet another uninspired meeting by phone? Think outside of the VOX with HD Audio and Video Conferencing at the Bently Reserve. It’s the perfect way to take bored out the boardroom and evolve your conference call into a conference ball. Of course, dancing is completely optional.

Planning, processing, organizing, doing, reviewing – business owners and managers often feel too busy to take the time to carefully plan their meetings and conferences. Here are some tips on how professional planners do what they do so well:

As with any project or task, planning is the most important stage of putting your meeting together. It can seem difficult to clear all the clutter, but taking a deep breath and setting your priorities, concept, and theme as far in advance as possible will save you time and headaches in the future. We understand that you are in the business of being steadfast and accurate in preparation and execution, with finite time to deliver. Need help tuning out all the “noise”? Below are some resourceful websites and links that you may find helpful in your never-ending quest to manage your work-flow and be as beneficial as possible to your pocketbook:

These two hotel websites work in conjunction with one another. They will help you search either small rooms by blocks of 4 or less, to blocks up to 1000. They’ll also index other websites to find the lowest rates for hotels:

• Hotel Planner
• Hotel Price Finder

Airfare Helpers: Bing Travel has an interesting predictor of whether flight prices will rise or fall. It will also compare and contrast many different sponsored sites. Booking Buddy, another site, has a “deal” tab on its homepage that can bring up specials online under different categories. Yapta has a very useful “tracking feature” for fares.

Event Magazines can be a bountiful source for tips on planning, articles on past events, and pictures – they’re not just for industry insiders. Some even have great “green” sections. All three of these publications have a smorgasbord of articles on many topics:

• Special Events
• Bizbash
• Smart Meetings

Going green is great way to boost your PR, and it’s surprisingly easy. Here are sites with tips, tricks, and resources:

• BlueGreenMeetings
• The Green Meeting

Finally, some simple checklists that you can use to ensure your planning goes smoothly, and no details are forgotten:

• The Great Event
• University of Minnesota’s Green Checklist
• Another helpful checklist and spread sheets

Remember, the most important part of planning your event, and seeing your vision come to fruition, is to begin planning as early as you can – this will allow you to find the right vendors, venue, transportation, and accommodations within your budget. Check back soon for a complete guide on making your meeting green!

Contact us for more information, or learn more about Orchard Hotels.

Learn more about the event, or check out the webcast for yourself.

As Mike said, “touting the latest, greatest high definition digital technologies, advanced networking and unparalleled eco-friendly operations, this building truly represents innovation and forward thinking” – we couldn’t have said it better ourselves!

Read more about this couple’s sensational ceremony, from Hudson’s starlet-worthy gown to the elegant ambiance they created at the Bently Reserve, at San Francisco Brides (the story begins on page 58).

It was one of the most sophisticated nights we’ve seen yet!

Costumed captains cavorted with with strange beings from other worlds, while space mechanics mingled, danced, and romanced the night away – all for the universal cause of raising funds to complete the Raygun Gothic Rocketship.

This was one of the Bently Reserve’s most unique evenings – it’s not often we fend off alien invasions with drink and dance! We think you should take a look at some of the elaborate costumes our guests created, and learn more about this incredible interactive installation.

Included in the National Register of Historic Places, The Bently Reserve is a pristine example of San Francisco’s vast architectural history. Formerly the Federal Reserve, this distinguished building is now the home of several of San Francisco’s most esteemed companies.

The soon-to-be LEED certified Bently Reserve offers abundant space, versatile floor layouts, ample natural light, and an outdoor terrace with sweeping views of the Financial District. 16-foot ceilings, generous daylighting, and sustainable design are the touchstones of our commercial spaces.

This event is RSVP only – make sure to let us know you’ll be attending as soon as you can – spaces are filling up fast!

5:00-7:00 p.m., May 13th
The Bently Reserve
400 Sansome Street
San Francisco, CA 94111
ph. 415.288.0202 ext 400
Contact us

Many of California’s most exceptional vineyards brought their most outstanding work to this event – and our palettes were pleased indeed. This was a unique opportunity to sample 100 current release Cabernets from California and be the first to taste the upcoming vintage. It featured a first glimpse of the 2008 Cabernet Vintage.

Litter does much more than mar our unique urban landscape – it poses a health risk and endangers the wildlife in the Bay Area. Every city has an impact on the surrounding environment, but San Francisco is unique in that it’s nestled within the Bay: the trash we leave behind is quickly deposited in local waters, harming the wildlife. Toxic Runoff from everything from cigarette butts (which contain nicotine, arsenic, mercury, lead, cadmium, acetone and vinyl chloride), to plastic products, slowly poison the delicate ecology of our Bay.

Whether you’re a long time resident, or someone visiting San Francisco for just a few days, it’s important to be aware of the Bay Area’s ecology. Several unique species, such as California’s Dungeness crab, Pacific halibut, and Pacific salmon rely on the bay for their nurseries. Around the Bay are salt marshes, unique habitats that several endangered species call home; these marshes also filter sediments and pollutants from the surrounding rivers.

The problems pollutants pose effect more than just our waterways – the San Francisco Bay is part of the Pacific Flyway, and millions of waterfowl, many of them endangered, use the bay for shelter and breeding every year. It’s also the home of several important wildlife refugees such as the Point Reyes Bird Observatory.

We love this city, and we care about the Bay Area’s important ecosystem. Seeing a clean San Francisco and a healthy environment should be a goal for everyone in our city, because when you think about it, litter has an impact on the entire planet. No matter where you call home, show you love your neighborhood by keeping your streets clean!

Live in the Bay Area? Take Action!

Billed as “An intelligent action/adventure/Ocean’s-Eleven-like horror film wrapped around a tale of redemption and ultimate revenge,” The Cove is a documentary that follows an elite reconnaissance team to the fishing village of Taiji, Japan. This remote and picturesque village is home to the world’s largest annual dolphin kill: in a bay patrolled by armed guards and obscured beneath blue tarpaulins, the heartbreaking slaughter of some 2,500 dolphins takes place. Killing these dolphin pods has a significant impact on the ocean’s ecology: by reducing human-animal competition for a natural resource, these fishermen are upsetting the delicate balance of our planet’s largest ecosystem.

The goal of The Cove is to put an end to this barbaric culling by exposing it to the world. The filmmakers have risked their lives to capture this footage, and the Bently Reserve applauds their dedication to the well-being of our planet. We hope that this powerful film can help put an end to the dolphin drive fisheries.

The Bently Reserve urges you to take action

1) Write letters to the Japanese Embassy, the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums, and the White House.

2) Spread the word about the senseless dolphin slaughter via Facebook, blogs, word of mouth, and more.

3) Tell your friends to watch The Cove this summer to help the film have a huge opening weekend

4) Make a financial contribution to the Oceanic Preservation Society’s fund for the crucial Japanese version of The Cove.

5) Boycott venues that hold dolphins in captivity for entertainment, especially dolphins sourced from one of the three slaughter sites in Japan. Let them know why you are choosing to go elsewhere. Download a dolphin campaigner’s toolkit at the World Society for the Protection of Animals.

6) Make sure the tuna you eat is troll or pole caught, and is dolphin-safe. Request dolphin-safe tuna from the restaurants you visit. Monitor your own personal exposure to tuna to avoid mercury poisoning. Support the transition from coal plants to clean and renewable energy to reduce the amount of mercury pollution in the ecosystem. Learn more about sustainable seafood at the Seafood Watch Program, or download their regional seafood pocket guide.

7) Help the Oceanic Preservation Society set up an online petition where people can support the end of the dolphin slaughter in Japan and put pressure on the Japanese government to do so. There will be strength in numbers.

LETTERS

*Japanese Embassy: Ask them to stop the dolphin drive hunt and prohibit the sale of mercury-contaminated dolphin meat.

Embassy of Japan in Washington D.C. Ambassador Ichiro Fujisaki 2520 Massachusetts Ave., N.W. Washington D.C. 20008-2869 Fax: 202-328-2187. Email him.

*World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA): urge them to enforce their “Code of Ethics” by expelling the Japanese Association of Zoos and Aquariums (JAZA) from their organization, and also expelling all other facilities that have purchased dolphins from the dolphin drive hunts.

WAZA Executive Director, Gerald Dick.

*White House: urge President Obama to reform the US Delegation to the International Whale Commission, stop the negotiations for a whaling deal with Japan, adhere to US policy of maintaining the commercial whaling moratorium, and commit to using the political, economic and diplomatic resources of the US to end the killing of whales and dolphins for commercial purposes now.

President Barack Obama The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW Washington, DC 20500 White House public comment line: 202-456-1111

Overfishing, or the practice of catching fish faster then they can reproduce, is a threat to our world’s largest ecosystem. This has an impact on the delicate balance of coastal wetlands and sea floor – damage that takes centuries to repair. Over-harvesting this natural resource also has an impact on our economy, because species of fish can become so low that fishermen can’t make a living anymore – this has already happened to the centuries-old Cod fisheries off the coast of New England.

But we can create the change that’s needed by being conscientious consumers of seafood. When you’re at the supermarket or a restaurant, being an informed customer can help turn the tide.

Seafood Watch, an organization dedicated to spreading consumer awareness and action, can help you take action. Not only are they a valuable source of information on the web, they offer convenient pocket guides and even an iPhone application with information on regional restaurants and supermarkets that sell sustainable seafood.

If you’re a lover of sushi and seafood, we think you should take a look at some Seafood Watch resources:

• Regional Pocket Guides
• Sushi guide
• Seafood Watch on your iPhone

These resources are easy to bring with you wherever you go, and they can help you save our planet.

This private gym features a climate controlled environment, purified drinking water, towel service, and full facility men’s and women’s showers and locker rooms. Best of all, our gym is located in one of city’s most sustainable buildings – your workout will leave you feeling rejuvenated and refreshed, and leave the smallest of footprints on the earth.

We also offer intensive 60-minute group sessions in Nob Hill’s scenic Huntington Park, and in the beautiful Banking Hall of the Bently Reserve. These small sessions combine cardiovascular endurance, core, strength exercises, dynamic flexibility and balance.

Our founder, Lark Miller, has competed at the semi-professional level in XC skiing, road cycling, and mountain biking. His passion for fitness and teaching extends back to his early days cycling, skiing, playing tennis and running in the countryside of Western Massachusetts. His certification as a Strength and Conditioning Specialist allows him to train you like a professional athlete.

Learn more about Infinite Fitness

About Earth Hour 2009

For the first time in history, people of all ages, nationalities, race and background have the opportunity to use their light switch as their vote – Switching off your lights is a vote for Earth, or leaving them on is a vote for global warming. WWF are urging the world to VOTE EARTH and reach the target of 1 billion votes, which will be presented to world leaders at the Global Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen 2009.

Save The Date… And Think Ahead

You’ll never know if you’ve found someone who can make your special night happen if you don’t have a clear idea of what you want – this is the first, and most important, step in creating a memorable night. Sit down and choose a date, at least several months in advance if possible. The longer you have to plan, the less your event will cost – any goods or services provided at the last minute tend to be much more expensive.

Next, make a list of the venues where you’d dream of hosting your event. Some simple questions to ask yourself here include how many people will be attending, what your budget will be, and how far you are expecting your guests to travel. Make sure to include several venues in your wish list, because it’s not guaranteed that your first choice will be available on the date you want.

Choose a theme and decide upon a budget. This doesn’t mean that you need to set your heart on every last detail, but having a vision for your event will help you choose a consultant who will help you achieve your goals.

Be open minded about your needs and resources, too – your planner can help you decide whether a budget is realistic or not. Many people tend to come up with numbers that may not reflect the current market for goods and services, so make sure to be up front and honest with your planner about this from the very beginning.

Kinds of Planners

Generally, there are three types of event consultants; knowing which one is right for you will make your search much easier:

Event Producers will assist you throughout the entire planning process, from the genesis of your concept to the clean-up after the event. They will assist you with every aspect of your event – including choosing a caterer, booking your venue, deciding on table décor, and much more.

Partial Planners are for those who’ve already booked a venue, chosen many of their decorations, and sent out invitations. These planners are best suited to medium-size events that tend to be more intimate in scope.

Week-of Planners and Day-Of Planners simply help events run smoothly. If you have already planned your entire event, but are worried about mishaps or disasters, these are the kinds of planners you need. Make sure to interview a these planners before the event in order to make sure he or she understands the event’s scope and vision.

Another option worth mentioning is one-stop catering companies. Many caterers offer full service packages that include event planning services; some of our preferred caterers at the Bently Reserve even offer this option.

Meet with Potential Consultants

Similar to a job interview, this stage is crucial to getting the right person to help make your event happen the way YOU want it to. Make sure he or she has good references from relevant clients (if you’re planning a wedding, for example, a planner whose only done corporate events probably isn’t right for you). A few key questions to ask include:

• How long have they been planning events?
• Ask for references of past clients.
• What vendors have they worked with before?
• Are they a member of a professional organization?
• Will they attend important meetings with representatives of your venue, caterers, and others?
• Will they look over contracts with vendors for you?
• When will they arrive and leave on the day of the event?
• How available are they in case of emergencies?
• Do they have a backup plan?
• Ask them to tell you a story about how they handled a crisis situation at one of their events.
• How do they charge? Some planners charge hourly fees, and others flat fees – this is crucial information, depending on your event’s size and scope.

During the interview, make sure your candidate understands your concept, and that he or she is excited about making it happen: a planner who’s enthusiastic about your concept will make it truly extraordinary.

Get it in Writing

If you’ve made a decision about a venue, make sure to secure a written contract and make a deposit as soon as possible; having to change your venue or date may cause you to lose vendors, or even your planner, at the last minute.

Make sure you have a written contract with your planner, and that he or she gives you written updates about the progress of your special night. We don’t live in a perfect world, and keeping track of all the details will save you time and money. This is crucial to avoiding last-minute disasters.

A Good Rapport

A final word of advice is to choose a planner you like, and who can understand your vision – planning events can often be very high-stress, but if you’ve found a person who enjoys working hard to make visions come true, your night’s on the track to success. Try to have some fun, and remember that making memorable events happen is an art, not a science.

Your Party Planner

Finding a party planner that shares your inspiration is the first step to creating events that go off without a hitch – green or not. And after decades of waste, many in this industry understand the significant impact their operations can have on Mother Earth.

Establish a great rapport with your planner, and talk to her about the green initiatives her company already has in place. Find out whether your planner’s suppliers can create quality products from recycled materials: everything from recycled chairs, to bamboo dance floors, to sustainable plywood is readily available from the right producer. Event companies that are already reusing and recycling can save you time money, because they’ve already found savvy ways to go green while making a profit.

Paper & Peripheries

Everyone knows that you can save a bundle by switching to e-vites, and save the environment to boot. This may be an excellent option for conferences and meetings, but many brides-to-be want their guests to receive something a bit more personal. Recycled paper is a must here, and, contrary to a popular misconception, organic soy ink can save on printing costs because it’s more vibrant than regular inks, meaning less can be used to create more.

Organic fibers can be used in lieu of linens for your tabletops – this helps support the farm communities that don’t use pesticides and defoliants in the growth of cotton, and doesn’t cost much more than the traditional material.

At your conference, make sure to minimize paper based inserts in gift bags, and use electronic technology to your benefit in order to reduce printing cost and save paper by the bundle. Consider creating displays that can be re-used next year too – plan ahead, and create these items in unity with your brand so that they can be re-used or flipped over and re-designed.

Hors’ Devours

Bottled water is a big no-no, from an environmental and a stylistic standpoint (this was a very fashionable thing to see at events three years ago, but not anymore). Simply putting carafes of water at every table saves money, helps the earth, and keeps your guests from going thirsty.

Going local for your produce saves on transportation and drastically cuts down on the carbon footprint your delightful delicacies leave on the planet. If you must have lobster at your wedding in Anchorage, well… you should know you’re not doing the earth any favors. While organic food can generally be more expensive, the veggie and poultry dishes are priced competitively; it’s the organic beef that gives this food the myth of being much more expensive.

Your caterer plays an important role in this aspect of your event. If you are planning your special night at a venue known for being earth-friendly, consult its list of preferred caterers: these will likely be the greenest and most talented chefs in town. At the very least make sure your caterer is responsible with waste, and has an established recycling program. Some even take the idea further by composting all the leftovers from their events at no cost!

Plan Ahead

The better you plan your green party, the smaller the footprint it will leave behind. Perhaps the most important aspect of going green and saving money is that while many of these options can cost less, they aren’t as readily available as traditional products. This is why its important for you to have a clear vision of what you want, and how you want to go green. Communicating with your planner and all those involved with your event is the first step to creating a night that your guests will remember for its elegance and sustainability.

Local Green Vendors & Caterers

• Green Wedding Planners: Twirl Management
• Hemp & Organic Linens: Napa Valley Linens
• Certified Green Caterer: Global Gourmet Catering
• An original San Francisco Green Caterer: Melons Catering
• Award winning & Organically local: Back to Earth Catering

E-vite Resources

• Crush3r
• Anyvites
• Campaign Monitor
• Eventbrite
• Planypus

A friendly “battle of the sexes,” this remarkable fundraiser was founded in San Francisco, and culminates in the announcement of the Man and Woman of the Year at our very own Bently Reserve. Past candidates and winners have included Mayor Gavin Newsom, Heather Luplow Hartle, Narada Michael Walden, Anna Alioto, Teresa Rodriguez Williamson, Johnny “Love” Metheny and Harry Denton, among others. This year’s honorary chair is the City’s new First Lady herself, Jennifer Siebel Newsom.

We’re honored to host this very important, and very thrilling, event. Find out for yourself who the man and woman of 2009 are, and help support the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

It is here the world’s largest annual dolphin kill takes place in a hidden bay that is watched over by armed guards and obscured behind blue tarpaulins. What occurs beyond the patrols and scrims is one of Japan’s darkest secrets: pods of dolphins are herded into the bay, where they are trapped behind a wall of nets and butchered by whalers with spears and knives.

The goal of The Cove is to stop these barbaric acts by exposing them to the world. The filmmakers risk everything to capture this footage, and we vividly feel the danger they’re in – but as with any groundbreaking film that transcends its genre, there are elements humor, and the touching narrative of one man’s personal redemption.

This a documentary that we believe everyone should see, and at Bently Reserve we hope to witness the end of the Dolphin Killings. The Cove captures the power of filmmakers so committed to an important cause that they’ll stake their lives on it.

The Cove: Trailer

Learn More:

Secret film will show slaughter to the world

The Official Movie Site

savejapandolphins.org

Sundance Film Festival 2009: The Cove

Louie Psihoyos, “The Cove”: An Ecological Crisis and Green Filmmaking

All packages offer discounted pricing for the use of the Conference Center, catering, and audiovisual equipment. They also contain invitations to members-only gatherings and special events – some packages even include tickets to the Bently Reserve’s signature Spider Ball. Other benefits include discounted personal training at our on-site gym, Lark Miller’s Infinite Fitness, weekend membership at Club Quarters Hotel, and many more perks that vary with membership level. Membership packages start at $595, and have options for both individual and corporate members.

For inquires and other detailed information regarding the Bently Reserve membership packages, please contact the Bently Reserve.

Be it a bat-mitzvah, wedding, or social gathering, party planners rely on flora of all kinds to convey the theme of their special night… but many aren’t aware of the influence a grower can have on the local environment. Flower suppliers can have a significant impact on greenhouse emissions, soil fertility, local wildlife and water supply, and can harm the local environment with dangerous chemicals and pesticides. Many specialty flowers are shipped in from overseas, so it’s also important to ensure your grower is working under fair labor laws.

Sustainable flowers are grown in ways that cultivate soil fertility, conserve water, capture carbon from the atmosphere, and prevent soil erosion. Organic growers are also responsible for protecting the local ecology by preserving local rivers, wetlands, wildlife, and culturally important areas by disposing of waste carefully. Not only that, but truly organic growers are careful to package and ship their product in ways that minimize impact on the environment.

Having sustainable flora doesn’t mean you need to sacrifice your event’s vision, either – there are now many specialty organic growers and green party planners that cater to the most sophisticated of events. And if you’re not sure where to look, the Vera Flora Program is a great place to start; they certify sustainable floriculturists all around the country.

Keeping things regional is a great way to cut down on pollution and save on production cost. Choosing a local grower can also ensure the quality and freshness of the flowers you want – many a party planner can tell you horror stories of the flowers arriving the night before an event, withered beyond use.

Table décor and bouquets are just one element of a sustainable party – elegance can come from our local environment, too. There are many opportunities to incorporate local and natural elements such as river rocks and native potted plants into your party for a unique vision and truly green aesthetic.

The movement for sustainable events has never had more momentum – there are now networks of growers, wholesalers, caterers, and party planners that understand the impact their industry has on the environment. And with all these opportunities and eco-friendly inventiveness, sustainable events have never been more memorable!

Brilliant Bartending

Delicious cocktails don’t just come from the best ingredients, they’re created by gifted mixologists. ‘Bar Chefs’ are elite bartenders who do much more than pour pints and mix martinis – they’re imaginative artisans who use anything tasty at hand to bring the elements of the cocktail into perfect harmony.

Bar Chefs work jointly with culinary teams, using ingredients such as fresh mint sprigs, lemongrass, raw sugar cane, fresh herbs, and fruit such as blueberries, strawberries, and other seasonal fare. Even fresh citrus rinds can be put to use when laced with powdered egg whites or sugar, frozen, and used as the pièce de résistance atop your custom made cocktail.

A new trend for a new year: clever mixologists use what the Earth gives us. Fresh fruit and vegetables can be muddled for the perfect drink, and natural sparkling waters, organic teas, and rose water have been making appearances in many divine drinks. Topping off a cocktail with a splash of sparkling water instead of tonic or soda water is also the perfect way to avoid that added sodium.

Reaching “far back” into the bar for those lost-but-not-forgotten liqueurs is the way to go for ‘09. These are some of the best ingredients to enhance specialty cocktails: Drambuie, Benedictine, Galliano, Pernod, Sambuca, Absinthe, Licor 43, Chartreuse, Grand Marnier and Amaretto — to highlight a few.

Shining Stars for the New Year

The Laureate, or The New Hot Toddy

Look for dried hibiscus flowers (also called jamaica) at specialty foods stores and Latin markets. Agave nectar, a low-glycemic sweetener, is available at some supermarket in the aisle where other syrups are sold.

The hot toddy is timeless. It comes in all types of styles, and does the trick to keep the cold at bay. One way to concoct the earthy Laureate is to swap aged tequila for the more common whiskey or rum, and use agave nectar instead of honey. Hibiscus tea can add a bit of tartness and color that pops alongside a clove-studded orange slice, while a bay leaf gives the drink its distinct woody flavor.

Pisco Sour

This South American cocktail is made with Pisco, a potent brandy distilled from Muscat grapes. Tasted on its own, Pisco has an almost grappa-like intensity. Bitters and tart lemon and lime juices, along with a sweet spoonful of sugar, makes for a delightfully smooth taste. The drink gets its distinctive foamy head from egg white, a classic ingredient in many old-fashioned cocktails.

The historic Bently Reserve, located in the heart of the Financial District of San Francisco, is also the home of the City’s Bar Association. The SF Bar has been offering meeting spaces to the community for several years, and now the Bently Reserve will make these rooms accessible to its clients.

The SF Bar Association offers competitive rates for the use of this space, with additional discounts for BASF Sponsor Firms and nonprofit organizations. These rooms accommodate 150 people with classroom-style seating, and can divide to fit both 80 and 40 people. Microphones, projectors, WiFi, and recording equipment are all available. The Conference Center is wheelchair accessible. Catering for this venue is available upon request; an outside caterer may be used as well.

Conference Rooms A & B

Guests: 150 classroom/200 theater

Conference Room A

Guests: 40 classroom/65 theater

Conference Room B

Guests: 80 classroom/120 theater

For rental availability and additional information, please contact Vivian Perez, Event and Sales Manager at 415-294-2226 ext 1.

The Bently Reserve offers state-of-the-art videoconferencing equipment, and an expert staff to support your important meeting. There is no other conference center in San Francisco that offers the ambiance, professionalism and cost-effectiveness of the Bently Reserve.

For rates and information, please call 415-294-2226.

This offer is valid for meetings booked by April 15th, 2009. Based on availability. Restrictions apply.

Bently Holdings is especially proud to have our very own Bently Reserve included in this exhibit, as it not only showcases the historical significance of the Bently Reserve, but reflects our City’s environmental efforts. The talented artists of Figureplant, one of San Francisco’s most famous design and fabrication resources, created the intricate models of these buildings from 100% re-used materials. Visitors who look closely will notice, for example, that the Ghirardelli clock tower is tiled with old chocolate brown light switch plates, the Transamerica Pyramid building is studded with nearly 1000 keys from computer boards and Coit Tower features a combination of used plumbing supplies, tape measures and mini blinds.

This focus on sustainability makes this event “100% San Francisco”; Conservatory director Brent Dennis says that “So much about this says San Francisco. It’s a celebration of the things that make our city unique – our architecture, our history, our park and also our creativity and leadership in the environmental movement.”

Bently Holdings is a proud member of San Francisco’s vivid history, and we look ahead to becoming a leader in its sustainable future!

The City of San Francisco is undoubtedly one of the world’s epicenters for technology, software, and sustainability, teeming with creativity, innovation, and forward-thinking ideas. Over the past decade, many Bay Area companies have imbued their products and creations with energy-efficient designs and innovative enhancements that tread lightly on the Earth. With the debut of the all-new Bently Conference Center next month, The Bently Reserve is carving an exciting new niche for itself as the city’s premier destination for progressive businesses who want to experience the ultimate combination of high-end technology and environmentally-friendly design. Set for a public unveiling on April 9th and 10th, 2008, owners Christopher and Amber Marie Bently will introduce the new Bently Conference Center during a series of gala events open to business associates, media, clients, and the hospitality industry.

The new Bently Conference Center occupies the entire second floor of The Bently Reserve and features the latest high-definition digital technologies and the most advanced building control systems to accurately monitor energy consumption and increase efficiency. As part of The Bently Reserve’s environmental commitment, many eco-friendly, sustainable upgrades were installed in the building to maximize energy efficiency, minimize waste output, and offer a healthier interior environment to clients. With the goal of obtaining a Silver LEED CS (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification, the Conference Center was outfitted with a variety of functional core upgrades.

A new building control HVAC (Heating Ventilation and Cooling) system was completely upgraded with a digital control and offers significant energy savings, centralized on-site and remote temperature control, and off-site control for evening and weekend events. The upgraded lighting controller – the Lutron Lighting EcoSystem™ – networks all lighting systems together and allows exact monitoring of kilowatts to accurately measure energy consumption by detecting outside light and adjusting the interior lights to maximize energy savings. This system puts the new Conference Center in very exclusive company, as it’s currently installed in a handful of other commercial facilities on Earth. To protect the health of clients and tenants in the facility while increasing energy efficiency, the old CFC-based air conditioning chiller units were removed and replaced with a new, modern non-CFC based refrigerant system.

Green was color in mind for the cosmetic transformations in the Conference Center as well. Low-VOC paints (Volatile Organic Compounds) were used in all the conference rooms, with no off-gassing, low odor, and much lower levels of toxicity than petroleum-based paints. The gorgeous Brazilian Cherry wood floors were made with FSC-certified (Forest Stewardship Council) wood obtained from sustainably-managed forests and environmentally-friendly suppliers. To meet the strident LEED Silver certification standards, construction waste from the extensive renovations – a minimum 75% of materials – was recycled and diverted away from landfills to be used in future construction projects. Healthy, local, organic food is also a part of the Conference Center’s commitment to the environment and the health of its clients, with a variety of green caterers available for corporate events. The local caterers are selected based on sustainable business practices as well as the quality of their food, focusing on those that use locally-grown ingredients and ethically-sourced products. Going one step further, a building-wide recycling program has been implemented to minimize waste output, which includes sorting and recycling paper, plastics, aluminum, and compost that is recycled and audited through Golden Gate Disposal and Recycling.

“Bently Holdings has a strong commitment to San Francisco and the environment. That commitment is apparent in the design of The Bently Conference Center. A great deal of care was taken to preserve many of the original elements of the building, which are positively stunning. The materials and technology were thoughtfully selected to create a unique ambience – maintaining the building’s classic beauty while making it very green and functional. The beautiful flooring was selected from renewable sources; artificial lighting was designed to interact with the natural light, and our preferred caterers were selected based on quality, as well as their environmental practices,” said Vivian Perez, Events & Sales Manager at The Bently Reserve.

The latest digital technology was integrated into the Conference Center, making it one of the most technologically-advanced business destinations in San Francisco. Teleconferencing equipment from Polycom offers high-definition quality and Continuous Presence, which merges local images from each conference location into a consolidated image in a “Hollywood Squares” configuration that is presented to each conference attendee in real-time. A highly-secure network using the latest Cisco Systems firewall and switch equipment creates peace of mind and a network that is secure enough to support government agencies. In addition, there is also a business area with available computer rentals, fax machines, copiers, and scanners. There is wireless internet available via completely segregated network access throughout the facility, allowing individuals to connect via their laptops throughout the Conference Center. To customize their experience, clients can also select from a variety of comprehensive audio/visual and telecommunications packages.

A nod to the unique nautical history of the San Francisco Bay, the Conference Center features multiple rooms named after – or inspired by – sunken ships in the Bay Area. The main, largest conference room – the Apollo – and an adjacent room – the Euphemia – are both named after ships that rest underneath the foundation of The Bently Reserve. Smaller rooms include the Port, the Starboard, the Cordoba, and the Niantic. Another unique feature to the Conference Center are the original multiple-pane windows from 1924, allowing a wealth of natural light and air into each and every room – a feature that uniquely differentiates the Conference Center from other venues in the city. Preserving its natural heritage, The Bently Reserve serves as a monument to tradition and is included in the National Register of Historic Places. Combining contemporary San Francisco and its cherished colorful past, it embodies a unique ethos, featuring breathtaking mural designs by artist Jules Guerin. The structure is actually two banking temples, one stacked on top of the other, signifying a stature greater than its neighbors. Its size and generous setback from the street, the imposing facades of Sierra White granite, the two-story banking lobby, and the row of federal eagles perched above the Sansome Street portico all contribute to the venerable esthetics. The original architect, George W. Kelham, is famous for creating The Russ Building in San Francisco and the Standard Oil Building in Los Angeles.

Launch events and festivities are scheduled for Wednesday, April 9th and Thursday, April 10 at The Bently Reserve, which is located at 301 Battery Street in the Financial District. The official kickoff event is scheduled for Wednesday, April 9th when owners Christopher and Amber Marie Bently will unveil the new Conference Center at The Bently Reserve to city leaders and officials with a special tour and green luncheon. On Wednesday evening, The Bently Reserve will open its doors to industry professionals. Colleagues in the Financial District are encouraged to visit the space, tour the Conference Center and enjoy networking in the Banking Hall from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. Things ramp up on Thursday, April 10th, when The Bently Reserve will host breakfast and lunch tours on the half hour. Breakfast tours are scheduled from 7:00-9:00 a.m. and lunch tours from 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Then, on Thursday night from 6:00-10:00 p.m., the green ribbon will be officially cut and the doors will open to the hospitality industry, media, clients, and friends.

Bently Holdings is a private asset holdings and management company, overseeing real property investments and operating under strict green business practices. The company holds its assets for the long term and is always expanding through its focus on buildings of historic value or architectural splendor. Although Bently Holdings invests in real estate, they’re in the people business, too. Careful selection and superb care for their tenants is of the utmost importance – as are the employees that represent Bently Holdings. They take pride in being a principle-driven company that adheres to a strict set of core values. All new tenant build-outs are mandated to be LEED certified. Bently Holdings is also engaged in alternative energies and are aiming to offset more than 90% of their energy consumption at Belvedere Place in Marin County with solar power. All the vehicles in their corporate fleet, as well as all generators, run on pure B100 biodiesel produced by their sister company, Bently Biofuels. Bently Holdings plans to change the direction of real estate in the entire Bay Area towards a more responsible viewpoint, and to restore environmental integrity to the business.