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Announcements
April 7, 2009
The Green Fest BUZZ is on!
The Seattle Green Festival attracted its largest and most diverse crowd ever this past weekend.
With attendance at 33,485 and large media attention, businesses reported great sales. To- Go-Ware
sold out with their largest sales ever, and TS Designs reported wholesale inquiries already coming in.
It’s not too late to throw your hat into the ring and exhibit at the next two Green Festivals in Denver and Chicago next month. We have secured major media sponsorships which will generate huge crowds. Denver Mayor Hickenlooper, Colorado Governor Bill Ritter, Jr. and Chicago Mayor Richard Daley will be on hand to kick-off the festivities.
Call 877-727-2179 x 300 to reserve booth space today.
Success Factors for Business Survival in the New Economy – Join our first FREE WEBINAR on April 16th
Our first webinar will be "Success Factors for Business Survival in the New Economy," with BBMG, a nationally recognized firm dedicated to creating innovative brands that engage and inspire today’s increasingly conscious consumers.
Mark your calendar now for Thursday, April 16, 3 pm EST/12 PT.
This presentation will offer a preview of BBMG’s forthcoming Conscious Consumer Report with insights on how socially-responsible brands can win in the new economy. Based on an in-depth national study of 2,000 consumers, BBMG will help us understand:
- What does the recent economic turmoil mean for socially responsible brands?
- Will consumers still seek social and environmental benefits in a tough economy?
- Which product attributes matter most in a recession?
BBMG will help socially responsible companies seize this moment of opportunity to stand out, build relationships, win loyalty and inspire action. Following the presentation, BBMG will open it up for discussion and take your questions.
Look for details in your e-mail. If you are interested in offering a Webinar to GBN members or there are specific topics or presenters that you would like to see GBN offer, please contact Amy Belanger, GBN Deputy Director, 202-872-5317.
Are you still using the OLD Co-op America Seal of Approval?
Co-op America is now Green America. If you have not replaced the old seal on your web site or on your marketing materials—we need you to do two things:
1. Please replace the OLD Co-op America Seal with the NEW Green America Seal. The seal is your way of telling the world that you are an authentic green business.
2. Please change all mentions of Co-op America to Green America.
Thank you for helping spread the word about our new name.Vote Today for our Clean Energy Victory Bond Proposal
Your vote and two minutes of your time can help Green America raise $200,000!
Green America is a finalist in the Green Mountain Coffee Roasters "Changing Climate Change" grant competition. You've seen our climate change work in action – guided by our 12-step plan to reduce carbon 90% by 2050. Our call for all Americans and businesses to reduce their energy use by 50 percent went out last summer, and our step-by-step guide showing you how is available on our Web site. You've also seen our successful work to stop coal plants and advance solar energy.
More recently, we've been talking with the Obama administration about our idea for financing a clean energy revolution in the United States – Clean Energy Victory Bonds (which we detailed in our Real Green article and recent editorial). As part of this grant application process, we have posted a project synopsis of our Clean Energy Victory Bonds idea at JustMeans.com.
The deadline to vote for Green America is April 7.
Take two minutes of your time to vote for Green America and help us raise $200,000»
Green America Launches The Wholesale Connection
These economic times call for new innovations and fresh ways of attracting buyers to your green products. Green America’s Wholesale Connection is an online shopping tool that will put your products in front of retail buyers across the country. This is an excellent opportunity to get your products stocked on store shelves today!
Call Chip at 202-872-5315 to learn more.
Green America launches Fair Trade Artisans Tour
Green America and Partners for Just Trade invite you to celebrate the Green Festival with Evangelina Pizarro and Ayde Riveros. For the first time these artisans will travel from Peru to share their stories of how Fair Trade has radically changed their lives. In their presentation Ms. Pizarro and Ms. Riveros will give first hand accounts of how the purchase of Fair Trade products directly improves the lives of farmers and artisans in the Global South.
Please join us as Ms. Pizarro and Ms. Riveros share their stories, how dignified work has provided economic stability in their lives and social stability in their communities, which exemplify the impacts of Fair Trade.
The artisans will be at the Green Festivals at the Fair Trade Pavilion in Denver and Chicago and will make stops in Colorado, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Illinois May 1 through 25.
Learn more and see if the tour will be in your city »
Contact Yochi Zakai if you have any questions (202-872-5302; info@fairtradetour.org)
Cause-Marketing with Green America Makes a Difference— for the World and Your Bottom Line
Globally, 79% of consumers indicate they would prefer to buy products from environmentally responsible companies (Havas Global Media Survey, May 2008). And 75% said they consider a company's commitment to causes when they recommend products and services. Which cause matters most? Environment tops the list, according to a recent GolinHarris opinion survey, followed by education, energy conservation, human rights, and consumer rights.
Green America’s mission advances every one of these causes. Your business can capitalize on this consumer research and demonstrate its commitment to the cause in a variety of ways.
One way is through 1% For the Planet. Your business can donate 1% of its profits to Green America by joining 1% FTP and selecting Green America as your beneficiary.
It’s easy to join—just call 802-496-5408 or e-mail info@onepercentfortheplanet.org. If you’re already a member, consider designating proceeds to Green America.
There are many ways you can form a marketing partnership with Green America and the timing couldn’t be better with Earth Day around the corner—for example you can offer your customers discounts on Green America individual memberships and copies of the National Green Pages™.
Call us to discuss all the ways to build a cause-marketing partnership with Green America. Contact: Amy Belanger, Green Business Network Deputy Director, at 202-872-5317.
Green Americans Help Save Homes
Green America members responded to our call to contact their congressional representatives to ensure passage of foreclosure bill H.R. 1106. This legislation allows bankruptcy courts to modify mortgages and help homeowners by lowering interest rates, changing adjustable rates to fixed rates, and extending repayment periods.
The next step is the passage of the Senate Bill S. 61, known as the Helping Families Save Their Homes, in Bankruptcy Act of 2009. In this effort, Green America joins with groups such as the Center for Responsible Lending to contact Senators to help save two million more homes from foreclosure and create a more just, sustainable economy.
With over 6,000 of our fellow citizens losing their homes to foreclosure every day, this is a critical need.
Join us in celebrating World Fair Trade Day May 9th
Green America is a proud sponsor of World Fair Trade Day, an international celebration of Fair Trade. The theme, Everything Is Better When It’s Fair, reminds us that Fair Trade is about more than coffee and handicrafts, but about fostering cross-cultural relationships and healthy communities.
Join this movement by sponsoring a Fair Trade Coffee break in your workplace, church or school. We plan to shatter last year’s record with the world’s largest Fair Trade coffee break!
Check out Green America’s Fair Trade Coffee Break »
Help for your Earth Day Events in April
A great way to promote Earth Day is to distribute the 2009 National Green Pages at your April 20th event, in your workplace or retail store, or to your favorite customers.
Order now online » Special case prices include shipping.
Contact Desiree at 202-872-5330.
You can also ask about other ways to bring Green America to your Earth Day activities.
New Socially Responsible Investing (SRI) Resource
The Social Investment Forum has a new fact sheet, "Socially Responsible Investing: Top 10 Questions & Answers," that is publicly available on their website.
This piece describes the size and growth of SRI, explains different SRI strategies, discusses performance, and highlights several new SRI products. In addition, you'll find information on clean energy investments and the impacts of shareholder advocacy on corporations and society. Now more than ever, SRI principles are needed to guide investment practice and to promote corporate social and environmental responsibility.
New FedEx Program—Savings to YOU!
Green America has teamed up with FedEx to help boost your bottom line. Green Business Network members are now eligible to receive valuable discounts of up to 27% on select FedEx® shipping services and can also take advantage of additional savings on FedEx Freight® and FedEx National LTLSM services.
For more information or to enroll, please go to http://www.1800members.com/COOP or call 1-800-MEMBERS (1.800.636.2377, 8 a.m.–6 p.m. EST, M-F)
**FRAUD ALERT**
Please be on the alert. Do not sign any documents from "Green Festival" until you talk to the Green Festival sales team.
We have just learned that a company in Mexico is sending faxes and e-mails to Green Festival exhibitors and partners asking them to sign a form about their listing.
Signing the fraudulent document may commit your business to an expensive 3-year agreement that automatically renews unless canceled by registered letter.
The party behind this scam is portraying itself as "Green Festival Chicago" with an organizer of "Global Exchange," but they have no affiliation with Green Festivals, Global Exchange or Green America.
The company has operated under the names Construct Data Verlag AG of Austria and Commercial Online Manuals S de RL de CV of Mexico and have solicited contracts for publications named "Fair Guide" and "Expo Guide."
In addition to targeting Green Festival exhibitors and partners, this party has targeted exhibitors at several other events, including the Outdoor Retailer show (see this link).Visit this informational Web site for more information on this deceptive scam.
If you receive a fax or e-mail regarding your Green Festival contract, please do not sign the form unless you have carefully read and understood all of the terms contained in the small print.
If you have any questions or want to confirm the status of your contract, please call Seven Star at (877) 727-2179.
Table of Contents
Business Success in a New Economy – Join our first FREE WEBINAR on April 16th
Are you still using the OLD Co-op America Seal of Approval?
Vote Today for our Clean Energy Victory Bond Proposal
Green America Launches Fair Trade Artisans Tour
Cause-Marketing with Green America Makes a Difference— for the World and Your Bottom Line
Green America Launches The Wholesale Connection
Green Americans Help Save Homes
Join us in celebrating World Fair Trade Day May 9th
Help for your Earth Day Events in April
New Socially Responsible Investing (SRI) Resource