For those of you who don’t know, TOCA is the Turf and Ornamental Communicators Association, a trade organization for editorial and marketing professionals in the green industry (golf, lawn care, horticulture). TOCA is unlike any other organization I’ve been a part of because it brings together so many types of professionals—editors, PR folks, graphic designers, photographers, etc.—for networking and professional development. I’ve built some great business relationships through TOCA and developed some life-long friendships as well.

In addition to designing TOCA’s new 20th Anniversary logo for this year’s annual meeting in Puerto Rico (thanks Adam), Canyon is actively involved with TOCA in other ways, such as providing pro bono web development services for its member newsletter, TOCA Talk. At the annual meeting last month, Canyon took home three communications awards, I led the post-awards banquet sing along (see photo below) and I was elected president of the board. The TOCA board presidency is a distinction that I’m quite proud of and I look forward to helping lead this organization over the next two years.

Next year’s TOCA meeting is in Tucson, Arizona, so Canyon will definitely be in full effect. If you are a communicator in the green industry, I highly suggest that you join the association. If you are already a member, get someone else in your organization to join. And make sure to attend the annual meeting next year. We need more people who know all the words to “Santeria” by Sublime.

Canyon clients are asking us to help them find ways to “green up” their companies and we’ve learned a bit about it from our use of sustainable building practices to create Canyon’s new office in Mesa, Arizona last year. Since then, we’ve gathered good ideas from businesses that are boosting their green-ness. Here are some ways you can get the green thing going.

Sustainability starts at the top. Get the chiefs involved, and then lay out your long-range plan. Big picture—start by putting your three Ps in balance: people, planet and profit.

People – Business viability begins with healthy communities, empowered employees and committed customers. Companies should focus first on investing in human capital, and then follow by providing products and services that contribute to quality of life for all.

Planet –Lessening impact on the planet means making business decisions that decrease waste and reduce use of energy and nonrenewable resources. This can happen through small initiatives (like recycling paper waste) and large ones (such as building facilities that operate with minimum energy needs).

Profit – This “P” totally intertwines with the previous two. Businesses need to generate profit to be economically sustainable, but it’s also proven that efforts to help people and the planet can produce a bottom-line advantage. It’s a balancing act.

A business that has the vision to employ all three elements of sustainability can ultimately enjoy financial success and, at the same time, help maintain a healthy planet for future generations. Ready to get going?