Registration will open in January, 2009.
Read highlights of the 2008 conference ยป
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2007 Chicago Conference Highlights
A record number of people attended the first Co-op America Business Conference in Chicago, Illinois. Attendees raved about the networking opportunities, welcoming atmosphere, and inspiring speakers.
The first Chicago Green Business Conference kicked off with local Chicago heroes Commissioner of Environment Sadhu Johnston, Commissioner of Department of Planning and Development Lori Healey and Jim Slama of FamilyFarmed Initiative. Read
more »
Frank
Lampe unveiled the newly revised LOHAS (Lifestyles of Health and Sustainability) industry sales and consumer research produced by the Natural Marketing Institute. Read
more »
Joel Makower, the Co-founder and Executive Editor of Greener World Media led an insightful discussion on the history of the green economy and “What is good enough?” in today’s green marketplace. Read
more »
At Thursday evening’s keynote presentation, Ray Anderson, Founder and Chairman of InterfaceFlor, discussed his ZERO Mission to eliminate any negative environmental impacts his family of companies may have by 2020.
Read more »
In his Wednesday night keynote, Michael Crooke, CEO Revolution Living and Former CEO of Patagonia, stressed transparency as the key factor in “walking the talk”. Read more »
Alisa Gravitz, Executive Director of Co-op America, and a nationally known expert on climate change, solar energy and economic solutions to social and environmental problems, discussed how green businesses are an integral part of the climate solution. Read more »
View Alisa Gravitz's presentation on climate change (PDF, 1.16MB) »
Seth Goldman, President and TeaEO of Honest Tea, shared the ups and downs of founding this wildly successful green business. Read more »
View Seth Goldman's presentation (PDF, 1.5MB) »
Eric Friedenwald-Fishman, President and Creative Director of Metropolitan Group, discussed how green businesses can engage stakeholders and incorporate social responsibility as core elements of their marketing strategy. Read more »
Jen Boulden, Founder of the wildly popular IdealBite.com, shared the trials and errors she experienced raising funds for her fledgling business. Read
more »
Moderator Connie Evans, President and CEO of CSolutions Consulting led a spirited conversation with four Chicago businesswomen who are running socially and environmentally responsible companies.
Read more »
A panel of green marketing experts presented to a standing-room-only audience about the importance of using messaging to differentiate businesses in the new green marketplace. Read more »
The green market in the Windy City has been historically elusive. Peter Nicholson of Foresight Design Initiative and Chicago Green Drinks led a panel discussion of many successful green businesses that have thrived Read more »
Van Jones, Founder of Ella Baker Center for Human Rights inspired the audience to work for a Green Economy and a Green world that includes all walks of life. He asked the question “What would it mean to build a green economy that is strong enough to bring people out of poverty?” He answers that question by stating that you cannot have a green economy that works with an eco-elite minority: you need to engage everyone.
Read more »
Dominique Conseil, President of Aveda shared examples of “co-evolution” on Aveda’s journey to sustainability. He then shared how his company’s culture and passion for their work is what keeps the business true to their ethical standards. Read more »
David O’Donnell of the Chicago Dept. of the Environment led a fascinating panel discussion highlighting initiatives launched by the City of Chicago and the state of Illinois to answer this key question—what role can government play in promoting green development? Read more »
The Sundance Channel hosted a special reception at the Green Business Conference introducing a sneak preview of the launch their new show, "The Green," produced by Robert Redford. Simran Sethi, the show's host, will be keynoting at the San Francisco Green Business Conference. Read more »
Conference attendees were treated to a tour of three Chicago-based businesses: Chicago Center for Green Technology, PortionPac and Rancho Verde. Read more »
Immediately after the Conference, Blacks In Green (BIG) held a Reception to kick off the Green Festival and celebrate BIG's launch. Read more »
Make plans now to attend the Green Business conference in San Francisco –November 7-9, 2007
Thanks to our partners and sponsors that made the 2006 Green Business Conference such a great success!
Need More Reasons to Attend this Year?
Read the full highlights from the 2007 Chicago conference »
Read the full highlights from the 2006 conference
»
View available presentations from past conferences »
Last Year's Speakers
Bianca Alexander
Exec. Prod./Host, Conscious Living TV
Raphael Bemporad
Principal/Co-founder, BBMG
Michael Berkshire
Green Projects Administrator
Department of Planning and Development
Phil Baugh
Baum Realty Group/Green Exchange
Joyce Coffee
LEED AP
Director of Policy and Research
Chicago’s Department of Environment
Hon. Richard M. Daley
Mayor, City of Chicago (invited)
Connie Evans
President/CEO, CSolutions Consulting
Erin Ford
Farmer Renewables & Energy Program Manager, Organic Valley
Jason Graham-Nye
Cofounder/CEO, gDiapers
Jeffrey P. Harvey
President/CEO, Burgerville, Inc.
Xavier Hegelsen
Cofounder/COO, BetterWorld Books
Sadhu A. Johnston
Chief Environmental Officer,
City of Chicago
David Kirkpatrick
Managing Director/Co-founder, SJF Ventures
Rob Lederer
Founder, Management Resources
Mickey Lee
Project Manager, The Carbon Concierge
David Lubensky
President, Bagatto, Inc.
Katie McClain
Chicago City Director
Clinton Climate Initiative
Suzanne Malec-McKenna
Commissioner of the Environment,
City of Chicago
Carol Moseley Braun
Founder/CEO, Ambassador Organics
Brenda M. Palms Barber
Founder/COO, Sweet Beginnings
Roger Post
Vice President & General Manager
Christy Webber Landscaping
Sharon Rowe
Founder, EcoBags
Ella Silverman
Trust Provider Coordinator, Project Good/eBay
Sara Snow
TV Host, Discovery Health Channel
Chris Van Dyke
President/CEO, NAU
Bryan Welch
Publisher/Editorial Director,
Ogden Publications, Inc.
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