Conference Program

The State of the Green Economy
Frank Lampe, one of the pioneers of the LOHAS business moment, will unveil the newly revised LOHAS industry sales and consumer research and provide a state-of-the-industry report on what it means to be a LOHAS company in today’s marketplace. The information you need to design a business and/or marketing plan.
(LOHAS: Lifestyles of Health and Sustainability)

Marketplace and Community Connections—Part #1
Structured Networking—In this interactive session every business will set up a display and share their ideas/products with the entire conference. This is your chance to present challenges and needs—and find new partners to work with!

Lunch
All meals at the conference are organic and vegetarian—and provided by a local business.
(The conference includes three healthy meals each day)

Marketplace and Community Connections—Part #2—Continued
Structured Networking – In PART 2 we will continue to learn more about how to work together to further our business goals.

Joel Makower,  GreenBiz.com  founder, describes the changing landscape and offers insight and inspiration about what it will take to survive and thrive in the growing green economy. As GE, Wal-Mart, and Dupont are waving the green flag, how do smaller, leadership companies compete? Now that being a green business has become mainstream, with big companies making big commitments, it's no longer enough to be passionate and sincere. What will it take to differentiate the "true-blue" green companies from the Johnnies-come-lately?

Alisa Gravitz, Green America Executive Director, will lead businesses in designing an action plan to go carbon neutral!
Case Study:  Green Businesses that are profiting by being climate–friendly. 

City of Chicago's Green Business Initiative: Removing Barriers and Catalyzing Sustainability!
Hans Detweiler, Deputy Director, Illinois Dept. of Commerce and Economic Opportunity
William Haas, Energy Division, Illinois Dept. of Commerce and Economic Opportunity
Erik L. Olsen, Green Projects, Chicago Dept. of Construction and Permits
Karen Wan, Director, Sustainability and Competitiveness, Chicago Manufacturing Center
Moderated by David O'Donnell, City of Chicago Dept. of Environment
The city of Chicago and the State of Illinois have multiple programs designed to foster sustainable innovation in Chicago and the region. From the City's Waste to Profit Network, which works to transform waste streams into revenue streams, and its expedited building permit program for green building, to the State's Small Business Smart Energy Program, which provides technical assistance to overcome barriers to energy efficiency, Chicago and Illinois are models of public/private partnership. 

Organic Dinner/Keynote Speaker
Michael Crooke, CEO Revolution Living and Former CEO of Patagonia discusses a sustainable business model that relies on the synergies between the environmental, social and financial elements of a business. Always a thought-provoking speaker, Crooke examines a company's environmental and social commitment and how that attracts loyal customers and employees, which improves the financial performance,  which facilitates further commitment. He calls that The FLOW, the secret sauce of great companies in the 21st century.

Paint the town green
Conference attendees will experience the Chicago nightlife featuring local events and venues

Marketing that Matters
Eric Friedenwald-Fishman, President/Creative Director Metropolitan Group will share 10 practices that will profit your business and change the world.  An award-winning marketer he has developed brands and marketing strategies for well- known socially responsible clients as diverse as ShoreBank, Rugmark and Social Investment Forum

Book Signing with Eric Friendenwald-Fishman – Marketing that Matters

Ten Mistakes that Changed Our Business
Jeffrey Hollender, CEO of Seventh Generation tells all and hopefully will inspire others to learn how big mistakes can reap big results.

Financing your Green Business
Jen Boulden, Founder, IdealBite.com has grown a successful company very fast, she will share how they financed their green business and offer tips on how to do it (Jen will be leading a business financing workshop  in the afternoon).

Speakers and attendees will facilitate table talk lunch sessions on a variety of topics.

Conni Evans, a highly respected entrepreneur and business consultant will lead a lively conversation with four Chicago business women as they grow companies with social and environmental impact. Featuring Ambassador Carol Moseley Braun’s company Ambassador Organics,  WomanCraft (a Chicago GreenWorks 2006 winner), Sparkle Queen Cleaning Service and Sweet Beginnings.. 

Networking and Snack Break!

Marketing Workshop – Case Studies on How to Market Green Business

• Antonio Garcia – Firebelly Design
• Deborah Popely – Green2B/Green2C
• Laura Podlesny Bastida -- Subtle Green Communications
• Christine Esposito - Terracom Public Relations

Financing Green Business with Jen Boulden - IdealBite

• Casey Rutledge - Multiple Choices
• Sharon Feigon -  I-Go Car Share
• Consolidated Printing
• Moderated by Peter Nicholson, Foresight Design Initiative and Chicago Green Drinks

Making the Network Work – Green America's Green Business Network™
Facilitated by Denise Hamler and Alisa Gravitz
Come to share your insights – needs and offers- to make the network work.

open bar with organic beer/wine and local music.

Closing Circle with Alisa Gravitz and Denise Hamler
Lessons learned and take-homes!

Green Business Tour of Chicago
(optional tour, not included in conference registration – limited seating)
Join us on the biodiesel trolley as we take in Green Chicago. We will visit the City of Chicago’s Center for Green Technology  eco-industrial park and PortionPac environmental cleaning company.  Tour guide: Laura Flanigan, director of Chicago Sustainable Business Alliance.