The Austin City Limits Music Festival is offering something of Willy Wonka magnitude—a golden toilet.

This crowd jewel of portable relief comes equipped with air conditioning, a phone charger, a TV, and so.much.gold.

The Golden Porta Potty will only be available to six winners who receive 10 free potty passes and 10 free single-day tickets to the festival. Be quick, the winners will be announced tomorrow, July 16.

Having my own restroom at event? Now, THAT’S the ultimate guest experience!

More info can be found in the video below, and you can enter at www.aclfestival.com/gpp.

(Image: Austin City Limits Festival. H/T: The Dallas Morning News)

The cost of losing an employee and hiring and training a new one can reach thousands of dollars (various findings in various studies). It makes sense, then, that companies would rehire a former worker in order to offset some of these costs.

Two studies from the University of Illinois focused on these “boomerang employees” and their benefits to organizations.

“In addition to understanding the organizational culture, returning employees might also be more committed to the focal organization upon their return because, in essence, they’ve learned firsthand that the grass isn’t always greener on the other side,” said T. Brad Harris, a professor of labor and employment relations at the University of Illinois.

Harris, and his co-authors—Stacie Furst-Holloway (University of Cincinnati), Benson Rosen (University of North Carolina), and Abbie J. Shipp (Texas Christian University)—found that rehires have several specific experiences.

“After surveying and interviewing hundreds of employees, we were able to see that boomerang employees were more likely to originally leave an organization not because of dissatisfaction with the job, but because of some personal shock, such as a pregnancy, spousal relocation, or an unexpected job offer,” Harris said. “Somewhat unexpectedly, we also found that boomerang employees, compared to non-boomerang employees, typically had shorter original tenures with the focal organizations.”

In Harris’ second study, he found that harmony at the original employer played a key role performance success when rehired.

“Our latest research suggests that organizations should realize that not all boomerangs are created equal,” Harris said. “When evaluating potential boomerang hires, organizations should first, and most obviously, consider their previous performance histories at the focal organization and at their most recent employer.

“Second, organizations should be mindful that employees who originally left on good terms and of their own volition might be better suited for a return than those who left more acrimoniously,” he continued. “And finally, employees who are not gone for very long might possess more of the desirable attributes of boomerang employees, such as accurately recalling the organizational culture and understanding the social norms expected in it.”

How often do you rehire employees? Please let us know in the comments.

(photo credit: Keith Allison via photopin cc)

Among sports greening initiatives, efforts around water are often overshadowed by more visible efforts around recycling/composting, fan engagement, and energy efficiency and renewables. However, large swaths of North America have experienced record drought in the last several years, and water scarcity issues come into even greater focus as the summer heats up. While water issues (and prices) vary greatly by region, there are strategies that are broadly applicable to reduce consumption, waste, and monthly bills.

On this webinar, we will start with a “state of the state” assessment of fresh water in North America, and learn more about innovative ways to support restoration of depleted water sources. We will then hear two case studies: water conservation and efficiency efforts at a major NFL stadium, and an innovative approach to drinking water—sans bottled water—at a large, temporary spectator sports event. We hope you can join us to learn more!

AGENDA

1. Val Fishman—vice president of corporate partnerships, Bonneville Environmental Foundation & Board of Directors, Green Sports Alliance: Welcoming remarks and presenter introductions; the state of freshwater in North America and tools to address it.

2. Henry Rzemieniewski—cleaning operations manager, MetLife Stadium: Water-saving strategies at MetLife Stadium, home of the New York Giants and New York Jets, and signatory of an MOU with the U.S. EPA to asses and reduce environmental impact.

3. Jill Savery—former head of sustainability, America’s Cup Event Authority: Providing clean drinking water for spectators without bottled water or single use plastic at a large, international sporting event.

4. Discussion/Q&A

The webinar takes places tomorrow, July 16, from noon-1 p.m. (CDT). Register Now!

(photo credit: laszlo-photo via photopin cc)

Not a fan of hot dogs, burgers, or brisket covered nachos at baseball games? Maybe you’re more into healthier options without meat. Well, PETA is here to help. The organization released its top 10 most vegetarian-friendly Major League Baseball parks list today. Let’s look at what they said about the top five.

1. AT&T Park (San Francisco Giants)
“The home of the Giants has an ‘expanded roster’ that includes Field Roast frankfurters, portobello sandwiches, made-to-order vegetable tacos and burritos, hummus, and rice, bean, and vegetable bowls with pineapple salsa.”

2. Citizens Bank Park (Philadelphia Phillies)
“…Hall of Fame–worthy vegan options, including faux-chicken patties, black-bean burgers, and Tony Luke’s broccoli rabe, seasoned with garlic, lemon juice, and extra-virgin olive oil.”

3. PNC Park (Pittsburgh Pirates)
…”veggie burgers, fish-free sushi, seaweed salad, vegan coleslaw, and Sloppy Janes..”

4. Citi Field (New York Mets)
“…fans are chowing down on meat-free meals, including Blue Smoke barbecue pit beans, freshly sliced mango sprinkled with chili powder, and V Is for Vegan pizza, in the stands.”

5. Nationals Park (Washington Nationals)
“…roasted cauliflower sandwich and the vegan crab cake, two delicious choices that scored Nationals Park a spot on PETA’s list of vegetarian-friendly ballparks.”

Please visit PETA’s page for the rest of the top 10 list.

(photo credit: dpup via photopin cc)

There was a lot of news this past week. Here are some stories that caught our eyes.

Historic Wrigley Field Wins Approval For A $575 Million Renovation
—Co.Design
“Two major aesthetic updates are on deck for the Friendly Confines, which turned 100 years old earlier this year: Expanding seating in the bleachers and along the infield, and installing seven new signs in the outfield.”

Inside Slant: $1 Billion for ‘Fan Experience’
—ESPN
“…nine stadium renovation projects of varying scope are underway at a projected total cost of more than $1 billion. They range from a $7 million concession update in Tampa Bay to a $350 million facility overhaul in Miami, but in each case, the bulk of the work is targeted toward amenities that improve the fan experience.”

University of Missouri Purchases Downtown Columbia Theatre for $3.7 Million
—University Herald
“The acquisition of Missouri Theater will save the university an estimated $57.8 million in future construction costs.”

Los Angeles Convention Center to Undergo US$10M Renovation
—Exhibition World
“The year-long transformation will begin next month where work will occur around shows and events scheduled in the venue.”

Rodeo, Texans Devise $66 Million Proposal to Demolish Astrodome, Turn it Into Outdoor Park
—KTRK
“If the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo and the Houston Texans get their way, the Astrodome may soon be a structure that can seen only in the history books.”

(Image credit: Restore Wrigley Field)