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October 23-24, 2010 - Washington, DC

November 6-7, 2010 - San Francisco, CA

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2008 San Francisco Conference Highlights

Chip Py

Attendees at the 2008 Green Business Conference™ San Francisco

The sixth annual San Francisco Green Business Conference™ was an enormous success. Attendees enjoyed invaluable networking sessions, inspiring speakers and a welcoming atmosphere that rejuvenated their spirits and reinvigorated their drive! They gained incredible insight into the state of the economy and were provided the tools necessary to weather the economic storm.

This is what attendees had to say about the event:

“We had a very rich time and were so impressed by the organization of the conference. From top to bottom it was fabulous. What an inspiring event. We definitely want to return next year.”—Eileen Broderick, Being Water, LLC

“My husband and I had a terrific time at the Green Business Conference and found the format and information invaluable…thanks for all that you're doing for the Green community!” —Debbie Williams, Act2GreenSmart.com

"All the Butte students left the conference totally motivated, captivated and overloaded with ideas for their green business program." —Andy Vranich, Butte Community College Faculty Advisor

Chip Py

Denise Hamler of Green America's Green Business Network™

The conference kicked off with Denise Hamler, the Green America Green Business Network™ Director, celebrating attendees for their wonderful work growing the green economy.

The conference marked an historic first—as the nation recently elected the first African American president. While celebrating this first, Hamler acknowledged the unprecedented challenges facing small green businesses as the financial crisis hit both Wall Street and Main Street. Yet, more than any other time in our history, Hamler stressed this crisis is a teachable moment that invites communities to come together to create sustainable ways of living and doing business. Business-as-usual, based on greed, must be replaced with an economy that works for all: a green economy.

The first panel dove head first into a town hall meeting— exploring the world after the presidential election and the state of the green marketplace. Jay Harris, publisher of Mother Jones, Adrienne Brown Executive Director of The Ruckus Society, and Paul Ray provided insight into the world of green business following this momentous election. All agreed that the election introduces intellectual weight into political leadership that was severely lacking in recent times.

They celebrated Obama’s green recovery plan and infrastructure investment program, highlighting the possibilities—creation of 2 million new jobs, reduction in unemployment and reconstruction of local communities and public infrastructure.

The panel agreed that addressing the recession and advancing the green economy will require all green businesses to develop scenario planning models that address the slowing and uncertain economy to their bottom line.

Take advantage of the turmoil—invest in the future—the most innovation happens during these times!

The Election and the Economy Panel.
Left to right:
Russ Gaskin, Jay Harris, Paul Ray

Branding and Marketing experts Mitch Baranowski of BBMG and David Lubensky of Bagatto Inc., discussed their Conscious Consumer Report. Their research reviewed how to reach the green consumer at a time when Americans have more choices and fewer dollars. They also reviewed what practices will drive innovation and what the recent economic turmoil means for green marketing
Conscious Consumer Report (PDF, 219 KB) »

Branding For Sustainability Principles (PDF, 146 KB) »

David Lubensky of Bagatto, Inc.

Joel Makower, Executive Editor of Greener World Media and author of Strategies for the Green Economy, described the changing landscape of the green market and offered insight and inspiration about what it will take to survive and thrive in the growing green economy.
Order Joel Makower's book »

Joel Makower of Greener World Media

Mark Herrera of RSF Social Finance, Trish Riley of GoGreenGift.com, Erin Ford from Organic Valley and Xavier Hegelsen of BetterWorld Books discussed the impacts of the economic collapse From Wall Street to Main Street. They outlined how green businesses can face the new financial realities and still scale their businesses.

Wall Street to Main Street Panel.
left to right: Erin Ford, Mark Herrera, Trish Riley, and Xavier Hegelsen

The activities of the day included networking among businesses in the Marketplace and Community Connections sessions. The Business Problem Solving sessions focused on developing strategies to address the economy.

Business Networking at the Conference

Mickey Lee of The Carbon Concierge provided business leaders with information on measuring, reducing, and offsetting their businesses’ carbon emissions. During the conference 58% of the attendees took action to go climate-friendly.

Find out how to go carbon neutral »

Chip Py

Mickey Lee of The Carbon Concierge helps an attendee calculate her carbon footprint.

Creativity and innovation are the hallmark of green enterprise—on hand to lead this session was EcoTalk host, Betsy Rosenberg.

Panel participants Tom Szaky and Miranda Magagnini are shining examples of how green businesses are effecting real change through genuine innovation and a commitment to social justice.

Tom Szaky told the story of TerraCycle’s upcycling business model. Five years ago as a college freshman he began helping agricultural friends by developing a worm-poop fertilizer. That’s when he recognized the economic value of garbage—“As America’s #1 export, could the supply and demand relationships be overturned, such that garbage was in demand and a market for it developed?”
TerraCycle now manufactures over 100 products from waste —from worm poop in soda bottles to messenger bags made from Capri Sun/Honest Tea juice pouches. He described the growth of his company—from product placements in the big box stores and Whole Foods to clients like Kraft and Kellogg who are paying for TerraCycle to collect their waste and upcycle it.

Tom Szaky of TerraCycle

Miranda Magagnini of IceStone described her company’s evolution as a path from “ecofreaks to ecochic.” With her business partner, Peter Strugatz, they create high performance countertops from 100% recycled glass, cement, and shells. She described the product’s cradle-to-cradle certification—from recapturing of the glass and cement, to the production of the material and the recycling of the water used in manufacturing. She also addressed the company’s commitment to social responsibility, open book management policies and a safe working environment in their factory. They also have companywide visioning sessions that engage workers in the growth of the company.

Miranda Magagnini of IceStone

Tracey Turner, founder of Microplace, discussed the role of microfinance in ending global poverty. She explained how small individual investments in microfinance institutions create opportunities for the world’s poorest to provide for themselves and their communities. Investments in Microplace result in loans given to the working poor in over 40 countries who use the money to launch and expand small businesses that generate extra income. Over 98% repay their loans within two years, making investment nearly 100% secure for individual investors. The best part, Turner added, is that the entire process operates in a sustainable manner, making it “the ultimate in sustainable business.”

Tracey Turner of Microplace

Allison Worthington of The Hartman Group presented their new report Consumers, Culture and Sustainability: The Rise of Responsibility which described what is next for sustainability and green businesses

Andrew Williamson, of Physic Ventures, an investment firm supporting environmentally responsible goods and services, shared his insights into growing successful investment partnerships. With a $160 million budget, attendees were relieved to learn that investment in socially and environmentally responsible companies will remain strong despite the economic downturn. Williamson offered the following advice to business leaders in the current marketplace: never compromise, continue to highlight how your goods and services are good for individuals and society as a whole, and always remain authentic and transparent.

Read More on Physic Ventures Investing in Keeping People Healthy strategy »

Seth Goldman, President and TeaEO of Honest Tea described his company’s growth from a small startup to the sale of a minority stake to Coca-Cola earlier this year. He detailed the history of the company’s evolution and branding and the company’s sourcing, including its search for organic tea farms and its fair trade practices. He reported on the growth in sales and market share by the company, the sustainable packaging initiatives of the company, and addressed the perils of poozers (investors who low-ball your business value) when selling a company

Seth Goldman of Honest Tea

Carolyn Parrs and Irv Weinberg of Mind Over Markets delivered their “Ten Commandments of Green Marketing.” This session guided business leaders in understanding and communicating with the green consumer. In a sea of green, they helped attendees identify powerful marketing tools that will differentiate their products from the myriad of others on the market.

Carolyn Parrs and Irv Weinberg of Mind Over Markets

Sustainable packaging guru, Dennis Salazar of Salazar Packaging shared his 30 years of packaging experience with attendees, and offered guidance to those hoping to further their environmental commitments through green packaging. From advice on how to handle pesky packing peanuts to pursuing green vendors, Salazar’s session was a must for true green businesses.

Dennis Salazar's presentation (PDF 2.29 MB) »

In the session True Confessions in Fair Trade Sourcing, Rony Alcalay of Vital Hemptations and Sharon Rowe of EcoBags discussed their experiences in the pursuit of fair trade sourcing. Rony’s journey led him to China where he personally dedicated himself to verifying the working conditions of laborers who were making his products. Sharon spoke of her exhaustive research and the obstacles she encountered in search of a reliable manufacturer. Both agreed that if the foundations and principals of your company lack integrity, the cost of success will certainly outweigh the benefits. They invited attendees to work together to understand sourcing issues, and prioritize responsible sourcing as they grow. Lastly they encouraged attendees to build strong relationships with their suppliers that are at the core of any sound business model.

Rony Alcalay of Vital Hemptations

Charisse McAuliffe, founder and COO of GenGreenLife, explained that triple-bottom line companies with a solid business plan and growth model are precisely where investors and banks are looking to spend their money.

Ella Silverman and Eric Weiss from World of Good spoke about exciting new opportunities surrounding the launch of the new World of Good/ebay marketplace which will feature thousands of “people and planet positive” products. Members of the Green America Green Business Network™ are eligible to become sellers on the site, which now has over 10,000 products.

Learn how to feature your products »

Chip Py

Ella Silverman of World of Good

Roxanne Quimby, founder of Burt’s Bees and President of Happy Green Bee, told the story of building Burt’s Bees into a multi-million dollar business and the sell to Clorox.

The turbulent seas of mergers and acquisitions can shipwreck a company or provide a snug harbor for your future. Quimby shared her recollections on the open waters —and provided ample advice to CEOs and founders on crafting an exit strategy for their green companies when the time comes.

The 2008 Green Business Leadership Award was given to sustainable paper company, Mr. Ellie Pooh. Founder Karl Wald received the award from last year’s winner Organic Valley Family of Farms. Mr Ellie Pooh manufactures specialty paper products using elephant dung.