Comments on: Register Now For Green Sustainable Efficiency World 2008!

By: Donald Walsh

Donald Walsh — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 17:42:41 +0000

Timely article. As Manufacturing Sector Leader for a environmental consulting firm, we are currently reviewing conference opportunities to identify those we think will be of value to us and our clients. I was overwhelmed by the list of potential conferences provided by my staff. So, what conferences should we attend to keep on the forefront of sustainability and its inter-relationship to climate change, energy efficiency and fiscal responsibility?

By: David Douglas

David Douglas — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 00:15:57 +0000

Thanks for the feedback. Yes, those were all badges, most of them from 2007 (the full picture has more). I spoke at many of them and didn’t attend the whole thing. Overall I probably attended a piece of over 20 conferences.
Regarding what conferences are best to go to, I don’t think my track record is better than anyone else’s. The one thing I will say is that I’ve had better luck at meetings that were run by groups that I already found good affinity in (in my case EPA Climate Leaders would be a good example).

By: Charles Gold

Charles Gold — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 20:25:54 +0000

I couldnt agree more…way too many events and you have to search to find ones that are truly worth it.

By: Guy Chandling

Guy Chandling — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 20:13:08 +0000

I cannot get over how many name badges you have there. Was this all from one year? If so, how many of these conferences actually were beneficial to attend. I attended 3 environmental conferences last year (Greenbuild, the Conference Board and CraigMichaels) and while the first 2 provided some good information, nothing came close to CraigMichaels conference because it had none of the promotional presentations that kill these conferences.
Can anybody else recommend conferences that are worth the time out of the office…not to mention the carbon!

By: Matt Heinz

Matt Heinz — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 18:09:14 +0000

Excellent stuff.

This can apply to media tours as well. If you’re touting sustainable products, perhaps getting on several planes and sitting in towncars visiting press & analysts isn’t the most environmentally-friendly practice in the world. Would a phone call, video conference or WebEx presentation suffice?

By: Jack Pouchet

Jack Pouchet — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 17:43:49 +0000

Dave’s comments are right on the money. The sustainability agenda faces potential market backlash from over exposure and under delivery on promises. We each must act on the best interest of our companies as well as the participating industries (there are many from consumer products to industrial “rust belt” all the way to the high-tech and bio-tech), government agencies, and social agenda organizations to bring forward logical strategies with concrete actionable practices that make a quantifiable and verifiable difference today. Not a list of can, should, will, maybe, if, projected, etc.

Dave – you have my support. I’ll gladly put forward a short demonstrable list of recommendations to take to a select few conferences with you.

By: Thomas Siodlak

Thomas Siodlak — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 16:15:47 +0000

Dave,

Great article!You are right about the sharing, I learn so much from my suppliers. This is one initiative where sharing is contagious.