2008 Forum for Business and the Environment

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SUSTAINABILITY: What does it really mean?

For the last two years, the Oregon business community has identified “sustainability” as a competitive advantage for Oregon businesses and an issue that should be integrated into the Oregon Business Plan. Does sustainability make financial sense for companies and cities? And how are Oregon cities and companies raising the bar and putting sustainability into practice successfully in ways that are good for business?

This year’s forum series will focus on how Oregon businesses and local leaders can build sustainable, climate-friendly communities. We will hear from financial and economic experts, business leaders, planners and other professionals who will help us dig deeper into the reality of sustainability. Together, we will explore what it means to develop viable sustainable communities. As part of our ongoing mission to bring Oregonians together for a healthy environment, we invite you to participate in the 2008 Forum for Business and the Environment.

RESERVATION INFORMATION

Cost is $35 per event ($25 for OEC members and employees of nonprofit or governmental agencies). Please register no later than four days in advance of the event. Late registrants cannot be guaranteed food.
Make reservations by selecting a ticket option from the events below.

The Next Green Building Revolution: Moving Beyond Zero Impact

Tuesday, June 3, 2008

The U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED® rating system is the leading standard in green building and a major driver in the growth of this market. As green building enters the mainstream, early adopters are setting their sights above and beyond LEED. Our panel will address critical questions: Will the next target be zero-impact buildings or an even more aggressive goal? What does a “living building” look like and how can development actually help restore watersheds and slow global warming? How will the new LEED Neighborhood Development standard shape sustainable communities in the short term? Where is the green building industry headed?

Speakers: Gina Franzosa | Director, Oregon Chapter, Cascadia Region Green Building Council
Scott Lewis | Founder and Principal, Brightworks

Location and Time:

Tuesday, June 3, 2008
7:30 - 9:30 a.m.

Doubletree Hotel and Executive Meeting Center, Lloyd Center, 1000 N.E. Multnomah Street (Located on MAX light rail at Lloyd Center station)

Business Leader Forum: How Green Practices Increase Profits and Customer Satisfaction

October, 2008
Many companies throughout Oregon are seeing their bottom lines improve by adopting green practices. Businesses are finding new ways to cut costs, reduce waste, and use less energy, thereby increasing profitability. They are also increasing customer satisfaction and attracting new customers. Company leaders from across the state – spanning a variety of industries – will share their experiences of:

Making their business practices and operations greener
What ‘greener’ really means;
What financial incentives are available for making these changes;
How these changes improve their bottom lines.

If you are interested in increasing your profitability, then this is a must-attend event!

Event co-sponsors:
Bend Chamber of Commerce, Ashland Chamber of Commerce, Union County Chamber of Commerce (LaGrande), reSource (Bend)

Invited Speakers:
Speakers whose expertise will be relevant to the local area business sectors will be announced on our web site (www.oeconline.org)

Location and Time:

October 17 (11:30 – 1:30 PM in Ashland)
October dates for Bend and LaGrande to be announced

TICKETS ON SALE SOON. KEEP CHECKING BACK FOR DETAILS

Past events in the series

Transportation and Sustainable Communities: Investing in Climate-Friendly, People-Friendly Transportation Systems

with Governor Ted Kulongoski

Friday, April 11, 2008

Climate change is widely recognized as one of the world’s most urgent problems, requiring significant and immediate action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The transportation sector is responsible for one-third of Oregon’s greenhouse gases. Concurrently, congestion is a front-burner issue for Oregon’s economy. Next year, transportation will be a major priority for the Oregon Legislature. How to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions within that context will be a major challenge. This event will explore what a congestion-busting, low-carbon, community-oriented transportation system for the 21st century really means and the role of businesses in designing that system. We have asked Governor Kulongoski to present his vision for integrating climate change and sustainability into Oregon’s transportation plans. The Governor will be joined by a panel of business and elected leaders.

Speakers:

Governor Ted Kulongoski
Oregon Representative Arnie Roblan
Washington Representative Dave Upthegrove
Ryan Deckert, President, Oregon Business Association

Location and Time:

Friday, April 11, 2008
11:30 – 1:30 p.m.
Oregon Convention Center, Portland Ballroom, 777 N.E. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd.

The Green Dividend for Companies and Cities: Seeing Green for Going Green

Tuesday, May 6, 2008 - Bend
Thursday, May 8, 2008 - Portland

How does investing in sustainability affect a company’s bottom line? How do investments in environmental and social initiatives impact competitiveness, market share, profitability, and share price performance? Why should governments spend limited public resources on “green” policies and practices? Hear from experts about how companies and cities are reaping a ‘green dividend’ from their sustainability investments. Pierre Trevet will discuss the financial performance of sustainable businesses. Portland economist Joe Cortright will describe his recent study, “Portland’s Green Dividend,” which calculates the returns accrued when cities invest in green infrastructure, land use planning, and related policies.