Direction Magazine, The American Moving and Storage Association

Dircks Moving, Logistics and Real Estate of Phoenix, Ariz., officially became an agent of Mayflower Transit on May 1.

"All of us are thrilled about our new alliance.  We're grateful for our successful past and look forward to the future with mayflower, working with our current clients and our potential new customers that this association will provide," said Dircks President Chip Dircks.

"We're pleased that Dircks Moving is joining the Mayflower team," said Richard McClure, CEO of Mayflower.  "Dircks' commitment to customer service and professionalism is a perfect match for the excellence that's expected and delivered at Mayflower."  With this new partnership, Dircks Moving becomes a stockholding Mayflower agent.  "One of the primary reasons for our new alliance is that Mayflower is owned by its agents, which affords greater service to our customers and allows us to assist with Mayflower's future," said Rick Dircks, executive vice president.  "As successful business owners, the opportunity for Chip and me plus our entire staff to become involved with Mayflower is tremendously exciting."

Dircks Moving held a Mayflower launch party at their headquarters in may as well as to celebrate 18 years in business.  Mayflower hot air balloon rides were offered - and since the first is a proud partner of the Phoenix Suns, members of the Suns dancers and the Suns' Gorilla made guest appearances.

The Phoenix Business Journal

Dircks Moving, Logistics and Real Estate has moved its new web site into operation.

The new version of www.dircks.com eatures customer resources such as a shipment tracking method through Mayflower.com, pricing information and other tools to assist with a comprehensive move for any type of customer.

Founded in 1990 by borthers Rick and Chip Dircks in 1990, the company has evolved into a moving, logistics and real estate company that specializes in the transportation and storage of household goods, computerized equipment, office and industrial equipment and other commodities.  An agent for Mayflower, Dircks serves individual customers as well as corporations and government agencies in local, long distance and international moving.

Dircks also founded RE/MAX Platinum, which is part of the RE/MAX network.

Fox 10 News - Keith Yaskin

Click here to watch clip

The Phoenix Business Journal

Re/Max Platinum, Tempe, hired Katherine Motil as a designated broker.

The Phoenix Business Journal

Dircks Moving, Logistics and Real Estate, Phoenix, hired Rich Reinert as a national account manager.

Westbrook Consulting Services

http://westbrookconsultingservices.blogspot.com/2008_06_01_archive.html

Dircks Moving, Logistics and Real Estate has the following personnel addition:

Rich Reinert has been hired as a National Account Manager.

Rich comes to Dircks with several years of sales and sales management experience in the moving industry.  He had spent the past 5 years with McCollister's Transportation Group in Phoenix and the previous 11 years at Atlantic Atlas.

Westbrook Consulting Services

http://westbrookconsultingservices.blogspot.com/2008_05_01_archive.html

"All of us at Dircks are thrilled about our new alliance with Mayflower.  We're grateful for our successful past and look forward to the future with Mayflower, working with our current clients and our potential new customers that this association will provide," said Dircks Moving President Chip Dircks.

"We are pleased that Dircks Moving is joining the Mayflower team," said Richard H. McClure, CEO of Mayflower.  "Dircks' commitment to customer service and professionalism is a perfect match for the excellence that is expected and delivered at Mayflower."

With this new partnership, Dircks Moving becomes a stockholding Mayflower agent, the moving industry's growth leader.

"One of the primary reasons for our new alliance with mayflower is that they are owned by their agents, which affords greater service to our customers and allows us to assist with Mayflower's future,"said Rick Dircks, Executive Vice President for Dircks Moving.  "As successful business owners, the opportunity for Chip and I plus our entire staff to become involved with mayflower is tremendously exciting."

Dircks Moving will hold a Mayflower launch party at their headquarters on May 9 for its customers and business partners as well as celebrate their 18 years in business.  The Mayflower Hot Air Balloon rides will be featured along with appearances from members of the Phoenix Suns Dancers as well as the Gorilla.  Dircks Moving is a Proud Partner of the Phoenix Suns.

About Mayflower Transit

Mayflower Transit, founded in 1927, is one of the nation's oldest and largest van lines and transports household goods, electronic equipment, trade show exhibits and displays, works of art and specialized freight, utilizing a network of 700 affiliated agents throughout the United States and around the world. Mayflower's headquarters are located in suburban St. Louis.  Further information about the company is available at www.mayflower.com.

About Dircks

Dircks is a full service moving, logistics, and real estate company that specializes in the transportation and storage of household goods, computerized equipment, office and industrial equipment and other commodities.  Dircks serves individual customers, as well as corporations and various government agencies in local, long distance and international moving, move management, storage and distribution projects.  Dircks is an agent for Mayflower, the most recognizable name in moving, and Dircks founded RE/MAX Platinum which is part of the RE/MAX network that sells more homes than any other real estate company in the world.  Brothers Rick and Chip Dircks founded Dircks in May of 1990 and have developed into the most diversified moving company in Arizona.  For more information, please visit www.dircks.com.

The Phoenix Business Journal

"Treat your vendors like customers."

Grant Russell, President and owner of Kleen Concepts LLC

"If you can't turn a prospect into a customer, turn them into a friend."

Rick Dircks, Co-founder and executive vice president of Dircks Moving, Logistics and Real Estate

"Be competitive, courteous and curious."

Jason Millstein, Owner of Illume Photography

Phoenix Business Journal - by Lynn Ducey

Dircks Moving, Logistics and Real Estate today became an official Mayflower transit agent. The partnership allows Dircks and its clients to tap into Mayflower's global moving network.

The company marks 18 years of doing business in the Valley this year and will hold a celebration of that achievement as well as its new Mayflower partnership May 9 at its Phoenix office. The Suns Gorilla and members of the Phoenix Suns Dancers, as well as the Mayflower Hot Air Balloon, will be part of the celebration.

Arizona Repulbic

Phoenix-based Dircks Moving, Logistics and Real Estate has become an agent of Fenton, MO.-based moving company Mayflower Transit. The company is now one of 700 Mayflower agents around the world.

Dircks is planning a private celebration for customers and business partners May 9 with an appearance by the Phoenix Suns dancers.

Founded in 1990, Dircks specializes in transporting and storing household goods, computer equipment, office and industrial equipment and other items.  

Impact Magazine, The Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce

Rick Dircks, executive vice president of Dircks Moving Services presented "Give a Little, Get a Lot" at the Chamber's Under 40 Roundtable March 25.  Following the philosophy of "Quid Pro Quo" - give and you will receive - Rick shared the importance of being involved in the community by volunteering time and resources to charities and boards.  He shared that this not only gets a company's name and brand into the public eye, it also aids the community with its needs.

Direction Magazine, The American moving and Storage Association

Dircks Moving, Logistics and Real Estate provided moving, storage and distribution services for the NFL's Environmental Program following Super Bowl XLII and assisted the Phoenix Suns with boxes and delivery of canned food to New Orleans in honor fo the 2008 NBA All-Star game.  The NFL chose Dircks Moving to supply collection and storage services for donated materials following various Super Bowl events including the big game itself.  Items such as building materials, office supplies and other reusables were collected and will be distributed to several regional non-profit groups.  Some of these materials will be reused while others can be used as fundraising auction items.  Dircks Moving, a proud partner of the Phoenix Suns, donated boxes used to collect non-perishable food donations at the Suns vs. New Orleans Hornets home game on Feb 6, and provided transportation of the boxes to Southwest Airlines at Sky Harbor Airport.  Several players loaded the boxes onto a Southwest Airlines flight headed to New Orleans on Feb 11.  The food donation was made to the Covenant House New orleans as part of the Sun's community service initiative during the 2008 NBA All-Star Weekend.  In addition to the Suns, Dircks Moving partners directly with MLB's Arizona Diamondbacks, ECHL's Phoenix RoadRunners and Arizona State University Athletics.

On the Move, Mayflower Transit Agent Newsletter

Mayflower Transit is pleased to welcome three new agents, Continental Van lines, inc., Seattle, Wash.; Daryl Flood Warehouse & Movers, Inc., Dallas, Texas; and Dircks Moving, Logistics and Real Estate, Phoenix, Ariz.; who joined the Mayflower family on May 1.

Dircks Moving, Logistics and Real Estate

"All of us at Dircks are thrilled about our new Alliance with mayflower," said Chip Dircks, president of Dircks Moving.  "We're grateful for our successful past and look forward to the future with Mayflower, working with our current clients and our potential new customers that this association will provide."

Brothers Rick and Chip Dircks founded Dircks in May 1990 and have developed it into one of the most diversified moving comapnies in Arizona.  Dircks founded RE/MAX Platinum, which is part of the RE/MAX network that sells more homes than any other real estate company in the world.

"One of the primary reasons for our new alliance with Mayflower is that they are owned by their agents, which affords greater service to our customers and allows us to assist with mayflower's future," said Rick Dircks, executive vice president for Dircks Moving.  "As successful business owners, the opportunity for Chip and i plus our entire staff to become involved with Mayflower is tremendously exciting."

Daryl Flood Warehouse & Movers, Inc.

Daryl Flood brings a wealth of professionalism to every move, with 26 years of experience in the moving and storage industry.  The agency has locations in Austin, Houston, and Dallas.

"It is an honor to be part of the Mayflower family," said Daryl Flood, president of Daryl Flood, Inc.  "We share the same beliefs that providing a quality and stress-free move is our No. 1 priority.  I often say that all moving companies have trucks and warehouses, but our people make the difference.  It is our goal to be recognized as a premier mover in both the Mayflower family and abroad.  We are excited to showcase our skill and abilities in all aspects of the moving experience."

The company has made a name for itself in the state of Texas as a trusted moving and storage partner by adhering to its four pillars: abiding by a philosophy of caring for the things customers care about most; hiring people who are intelligent and have great attitudes; having not only the physical resources of trucks and warehouses, but the intangible resources of experience and expertise; and emphasizing a commitment to satisfy the customer.

Continental Van Lines, Inc.

"Increased customer service, equipment and technology upgrades, and business development advantage all influenced our decision to pursue a new van line relationship," said Ginnie Blaine, along with her brother Greg, is a co-owner of Continental.

"People trust us," said Greg Blaine.  "Our family founded the company in 1952.  We work hard to set the industry standard."

Continental maintains operational service centers and storage facilities in Seattle and Tacoma, Wash., and Anchorage and Fairbanks, Alaska.  The company has invested in an extensive company-wide makeover that includes a new logo and brand promise, the development of new interactive web site premiering in June 2008, advanced employee training, the latest technology and newly painted equipment that proudly bears the Mayflower name.

The Phoenix Business Journal

Dircks Moving, Logistics and Real Estate, Phoenix, hired Angela Franklin as a claims specialist.

Westbrook News

http://westbrookconsultingservices.blogspot.com/2008_03_01_archive.html

Dircks, Moving, Logistics and Real Estate provided moving, storage and distribution services for the NFL's Environmental Program following Super Bowl XLII and assisted the Phoenix Suns with boxes and delivery of canned food to New Orleans in honor of the NBA All-Star game.

The NFL chose Dircks Moving to supply collection and storage services for several donated materials following various Super Bowl events including the big game itself.  Items such as decorative and building materials, office supplies and other reusable's were collected and will be distributed to several regional non-profit groups.  Some of these materials will be reused while other can be used as fundraising auction items.

"Running events while keeping the environment in mind is very important to the NFL.  We are grateful to Dircks for donating their services to assist with this endeavor," said Jack Groh, NFL Environmental Director.

Dircks Moving, a proud partner with the Phoenix Suns, donated boxes used to collect non-perishable food donations at the Suns vs. New Orleans Hornets home game on February 6, 2008 and provided transportation of the boxes to Southwest Airlines at Sky Harbor Airport.  Several Suns players loaded the boxes onto a Southwest Airlines flight headed to new Orleans on February 11, 208.  The food donation was made to the Covenant House New Orleans as part of the Sun's community service initiative during the 2008 NBA All-Star Weekend.  "Dircks enjoys the opportunity to work for causes that help our environment as well as those that assist the less fortunate.  Behind the scenes, the NFL and NBA do wonderful work and we are always thrilled to be included," said Executive Vice President Rick Dircks. In addition to the Suns, Dircks Moving partners directly with MLB's Arizona Diamondbacks, ECHL's Phoenix RoadRunners and Arizona State Athletics.

The Phoenix Business Journal

Dircks Moving, Logistics and Real Estate, Phoenix, hired Ed Rueda as commercial business development manager.

Direction Magazine, The American Moving and Storage Association

Dircks Moving, Logistics and Real Estate staff members and their families gave a helping hand to the St. Mary's Food Bank Alliance and to the Fiesta Bowl Million Dollar Hole-in-One competition, two local non-profit organizations.  Over the course of 11 days, Dircks Moving staff collected nonperishable food items for St. Mary's Food Bank Alliance.  They created an internal contest and different departments competed and won prizes.  In the end and just in time for Thanksgiving, more than 30 office employees collected 1,300 pounds of food.  All of the food was delivered by Dircks Moving to the St. Mary's Food Bank Alliance warehouse.  On Nov. 17, Dircks Moving employees and family members volunteered their time assisting the Fiesta Bowl Million Dollar Hole-in-One contest held at the Biltmore Country Club Driving Range.  The Fiesta Bowl organization is a nonprofit group that relies on volunteers and donates funds to a wide variety of local charities.  Dircks staff assited at the tee box, check-in and check-out tent and at the green.  Additionally, Dircks Moving provided delivery and storage for all of the equipment used for the Hold-in-One contest.

Entrepreneur Magazine - by Sara Wilson

Wondering if you should go into business yourself? Undoubtedly, millions of reasons why you should--and perhaps shouldn't--are flitting through your mind. Just as personal control over your destiny and the opportunity for more financial gain beckons you to become an entrepreneur, the bills, mortgage and kids give you three reasons to stay at your 9-to-5 job.

We decided to add more fuel to the fire with 10 very good reasons to get into business . . . by purchasing a franchise. We went straight to the source: those who live, breathe and make money off franchises. Two experts, four franchisees and 10 reasons to buy a franchise--do the math and settle the question once and for all.

1. You gain automatic access to strategic and beneficial partnerships and agreements. Join a franchise system, and you immediately become part of a much larger, more powerful network than you could have on your own. Franchisor attorney Andrew A. Caffey calls it "the power of numbers." It comes into play in everything from negotiating the purchase of advertising to making supply arrangements. "One of the greatest values for franchisees is savings in their supply arrangements," says Caffey. "In good systems, these savings approach the value of royalties a franchisee pays to a franchisor."

2. You can easily arm yourself with knowledge. Never been in business for yourself? No worries. In a franchise system, you're automatically privy to special training designed to get you up to speed with the ins and outs of the franchise. According to Caffey, the best franchise systems will provide a thorough briefing on how to operate the business and conduct techniques particular to your franchise. They should also provide a good mix of classroom and on-the-job training. "A transfer of know-how in the training process is at the heart of a successful franchise system and is unavailable to someone in business for himself or herself," says Caffey. Take a look at the Uniform Franchise Offering Circular (soon to be called the Franchise Disclosure Document), a detailed report that must be supplied to prospective franchisees, to get an idea of the type of training provided and the range of topics that will be addressed.

3. You can instantly profit from intellectual property, trademarks and patents without hassle. Often, a franchise system will grant you access to sophisticated technology or software that makes the idea or concept difficult for competitors to imitate." More and more franchise systems have built successful networks around solid technology and software that is simply not available to independent businesses," says Caffey.

And franchisors have generally done the work to secure trademarks and patents. As an extra precaution to ensure you're receiving the full benefits of a franchise, take the time to make sure federal registration of the trademark is either underway or secured, advises Caffey. This will determine the staying power of the trademark. Developing intellectual property and securing a trademark and patents can be complicated, expensive and time consuming. Sidestep it altogether with the purchase of a franchise, and you can get off to a head start.

4. You can build a business and feel confident it will be around for generations. Many entrepreneurs start businesses hoping their children will carry on the torch. Within the structure of a franchise, where the routines are systematic and can be learned quickly, passing on operational control can be seamless. This isn't always the case with an independent business. "Most of the time, an independent business has to be sold if the person running it dies because nobody else knows what to do with it, or they get in and mess it up," says Jeff Elgin, founder of FranChoice Inc., a consulting company for consumers seeking to buy a franchise. "With a franchise, a lot of support could come into play from the franchisor, because it's in [the franchisor's] own best interest to stay successful, too."

5. You'll increase your chances of success. When Jane and Ty Branam, 55 and 50, respectively, opened their ServiceMaster Clean franchise in 2001, they didn't know much about starting a business and knew even less about starting one specializing in commercial cleaning. But that didn't stop Jane, a former college professor, and Ty, who was a midlevel manager at the Department of Social Services, from opening their Charlotte, North Carolina, franchise. And because the operational systems were in place and the training armed them with the necessary know-how, their business is flourishing and profitable, with 2008 sales projected to top $500,000. Says Jane, "My number-one reason for buying a franchise rather than starting my own business is that my chances of being in business five or 10 years later and making a profit are greatly increased by buying a franchise."

6. You have a team of people helping to protect the integrity of the brand. Being a part of a franchise system requires adhering to set rules and regulations. The upside is that quality control is a priority, and you can rest assured that you're working alongside fellow franchisees who are doing their part to maintain a set standard. In addition, a good franchise system will make sure all the franchises are pulling their weight and operating at optimum performance.

Sanjay Patel, 30, and Ron Ackerman, 31, opened their Firehouse Subs franchise in Lauderhill, Florida, in December 2005. They appreciate the franchise's monthly "Fire Report" that's conducted to ensure each store is passing the health codes and standards of the system. "This whole process is done mainly to make sure we keep the standards set by the first Firehouse ever opened," says Patel, "and so [the customers'] experience at each Firehouse Subs location is the same." Patel and Ackerman have two locations, with combined sales of about $25,000 per week.

7. You can get off to a head start with the backing of a name brand. Consumers are attracted to and have confidence in brands they know. By purchasing a franchise, you're often buying into a business with a brand that's already been developed, marketed and, most important, made familiar to the average consumer. Having a strong name attached to your products or services will help you get your business off the ground.

In 1990, Rick Dircks, 48, and his brother, Chip, 49, founded Dircks, a full-service moving, logistics and real estate company in Phoenix. But in 2005, they decided to strategically expand the real estate portion of their business by purchasing a RE/MAX franchise, thereby operating under a national name. "We were a little local name that no one had heard of, which is one of the reasons we wanted to brand it--so we could create awareness in the market," says Rick. "It creates a lot more business opportunities for us." Their decision garnered business immediately, and the brothers received about $200,000 in real estate commissions last year.

8. You can choose the franchise that accommodates your needs. Some people want to work only during certain parts of the year or they don't want to manage employees. That's a lot to ask if you're starting your own business, but consider a franchise, and it's a whole new ballpark. With a wide variety of franchises to choose from--including seasonals like Rita's Water Ice, an Italian ice, frozen custard and gelato franchise, and others that don't require employees or office space like College Assistance Plus, a college consulting services franchise--you can choose the franchise that's right for your skills and interests.

Or you can choose a franchise that provides you a means toward a personal goal. "For years I worked with Great Clips, where we had people getting into the haircutting business who had no interest in the haircutting business but saw it as freedom or money or a different lifestyle," says Elgin. "You see that a lot in franchising."

9. You can use a tried and tested formula. One of the most daunting challenges of starting your own business is the amount of time it takes to fully test the products and/or services you're trying to sell. Going out on your own requires a leap of faith, and many are comforted to know they're leaping into a system without all the kinks.

There's no franchise that needs more order and routine than one catering to children. Shelley Blackhurst, 34, and her husband, Jason, 37, make throwing themed children's parties look easy with their Oogles n Googles franchise in Pittsburgh. "It's amazing how [Oogles n Googles] has it down to a science," says Shelley, whose sales are $10,000 to $12,000 a month. "We can perform a two-hour party, [starting] exactly at 4 p.m. and finishing at exactly 6 p.m., and parents will say to me, 'This is amazing; I watched you do all these different activities and didn't know how you'd fit it in.' These parties are tried and tested, and for as many as we've done, I've really seen that to be true."

10. You don't have to go through it alone. Starting a business can be intimidating. It is a test of endurance as you find your way through unfamiliar territory. But you don't have to go solo. The best franchise systems are just a phone call away. You'll be surrounded by a support system that will not only be there as you set out, but will also continue down the path with you. "The franchisor is there to help," says Patel. "It's there for anything we need."

Franchisors will judge their success only in terms of your success. "ServiceMaster has ongoing training," says Jane Branam. "I just attended a daylong workshop on labor and employment laws, and I've attended many on financial aspects such as ratios, cash flow and receivables. ServiceMaster is actively interested in [our] success."

And franchisors will continue to do the background work to establish partnerships that will ultimately help you as a franchisee. Says Shelley of Oogles n Googles, "They're constantly trying to do things to make us bigger than life."

For more on how to buy a franchise, as well as information on more than 1,400 franchise opportunities, visit entrepreneur.com/franchise.

NBA produced a commercial about the Southwest Airlines Trading Spaces event that aired during the February 22nd ESPN broadcast.  On February 6th, the Phoenix Suns held a canned food drive that Dircks donated boxes for and then collected the boxes from the arena and delivered them to the airport.  Phoenix Suns players and alumni helped load the boxes onto a Southwest Airlines plane where the food was sent to New Orleans to help with Hurricane relief.  New Orleans was also home to the NBA All Star Game and festivities this year.  That same day, Suns players "traded spaces" with Southwest Airlines employees collecting boarding passes, making announcements on the plance, signing autographs, taking pictures, etc.

Click here to watch clip

Westbrook Consulting Services

http://westbrookconsultingservices.blogspot.com/2008_02_01_archive.html

Dircks Moving, Logistics and Real Estate has the following personnel addition:

Dircks has hired Ed Rueda as their Commercial Business Development Manager.  Ed is an Arizona State University Alumni with 12 years of sales experience.

Fox 10 News - Jayme King

Click here to watch clip

Direction Magazine, The American Moving and Storage Association

Arizona State University football players weren't the only ones cheering when they were selected to compete in the Pacific Life Holiday Bowl in December - Dircks Moving Services was delighted, too - and not just because the company is in Phoenix (ASU in in the suburb of Tempe).

"I'm a fan of the Sun Devils, but each post-season game also means more business," says Executive Vice President Rick Dircks.  His firm transports the team's equipment for its road games, so for the final match of the 2007 season, Dircks moved ASU's gear to and from the team hotel, the practice facility, and San Diego's Qualcomm Stadium.

Dircks has been moving the football program for 17 years, which includes transporting not only helmets, uniforms and pads for more than 50 players, but also video and communications equipment for the coaches and medical and training devices.  When the Sun Devils hold training camp at a remote location, a Dircks truck becomes essentially an equipment room on wheels.

"We've been moving ASU ever since we opened for business and are proud to continue this service.  We take pride in every single move we make and to do so for our 'hometown' team makes it even more special."

It's certainly a special assignment: Dircks' driver virtually becomes an assistant equipment manager, helping with shoe repairs, reapplying helmet decals and other small tasks.  "We have guys lining up for the job," Dircks says.

Not that the trips don't come without some risks, primarily because the trucks proudly announce Dircks is the Official Mover of ASU Athletics, complete with the Sun Devils' mascot, Sparky.

"When we drive down tot Tucson for games with [Pac-10 opponent and instate rival] the University of Arizona, we hire a security guard to prevent anything from pranks to vandalism," explains Dircks.  "So far we're only found signs that a Wildcat fan or two may have tried punching the rig, but we do get calls demanding we get that truck out of Tucson!"

Dircks has provided a similar service to Major League Baseball's Arizona Diamondbacks by moving its equipment between Chase Field and Phoenix's Sky Harbor Airport for all road games since the expansion team was created 11 years ago.  Those trips are also a popular assignment: the driver receives an all access pass to the host stadium and to the Diamondbacks' locker room.

"I'll go out on a trip once a year," Dircks says, "and when we return, it's really great to be coming in for landing and see your truck waiting out on the tarmac."

And it's good business, too - he explains that te team requests a second truck be wainting, solely devoted to taking the players' luggage back to Chase Field so thier bags aren't delayed by loading the equipment.

Rick and his brother Chip Dircks founded the firm in 1990 and have developed it into what they call the most diversified moving company in Arizona.  Dircks is a full-service moving, logistics, and real estate company serving individuals, corporations and government agencies.  Dircks, an agent for Allied Van Lines, also founded RE/MAX Platinum.

The Phoenix Business Journal - by Jonathan J. Cooper

As planners make final preparations for Super Bowl XLII in Glendale, Valley businesses are working with the National Football League to make the game a littler greener.

No, it's not about the grass.  The initiative involves efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote recycling.

For starters, major Super Bowl events - including the game itself and the nearby NFL Experience theme park - will be powered by renewable fuels.  Valley electricity supplier Salt River Project will generate wind, solar and geothermal power, as well as energy from landfill gas.

"The Super Bowl, when they first came to town five or six months ago, started talking to us about how to be green," said Lori Singleton, manager of SRP's sustainabbility initiatives.  "It was important to us that we be able to help."

Fox Sports also will use renewable energy at hotels housing its broadcast and promotions staff, Singleton said.

SRP is joining Home Depot, environmental firm RBF Consulting and other businesses in an NFL-sponsored reforestation project in areas devastated by the Rodeo-Chediski fire five years ago.

Crews already have planted trees in a 42-acre patch on the White Mountain Apache Reservation and will cover another 42-acre patch of the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest after the snow melts this spring.  The number was chosen because this year's game will be the 42nd Super Bowl.

Almost 9,000 trees will be planted in the Rodeo-Chediski zone as part of this project, said Jack Groh, director of the NFL's environmental program.

In addition, 42 trees will be planted at seven Valley schools during the week leading up to the game.

"The value of the green initiatives far exceeds the money spent on them," Groh said.  "Our point us to try and make our events as green as we possibly can, and to address as much of the environmental impact as we can."

While it is difficult to determine the Super Bowl's precise environmental impact, experts surmised three years ago that the big game produces about 500 tons of greenhouse gases, Groh said.

The analysis looked only at the game, the NFL Experience and related ground transportation, so the event's actual impact likely is much higher taking into account air transportationand hotel rooms, he added.

Super Bowl officials also are looking for ways to maximize recycling, such as keeping disposable materials out of public areas.  For example, clerks will serve drinks in souvenir cups so that visitors will hold on to them instead of throwing them away, and concession workers can recycle the original cans and bottles, Groh said.

"Most of the recycling takes place in the back of the house," he said.  "The bulk of the recycling, the public never sees."

At last year's Super Bowl in Miami, officials were able to recycle about 70 percent of the waste coming out of the stadium, Groh said.

Recycling bins also will be placed in the media complex at the Phoenix Convention Center.

The NFL and Arizona Super Bowl Host Committee will try to reduce landfill waste by donating unused food, office supplies and building materials to local nonprofits, officials said.

Phoenix-based Dircks Moving Services will collect and store available items.  Owner Rick Dircks said the company uses a lot of fuel and is very conscious of its environmental impact.

"The ecology pays the price for that, so if can help we should do it," he said.

An estimated $140,000 worth of decorations and materials were donated to Miami-area nonprofits after last year's game, Groh said.  in addition more than 55,000 prepared meals were delivered to area food banks.

Groh said the NFL's green inititatives have more value than the basic environmental benefits they create.  Recycling means fewer trips to the landfill, which saves money in the short term, he said.

"Running events environmentally is a much more efficient way to run events," he said.  "There's a lot of things that fall under the umbrella of 'environmental' that are actually sound business practices.