2005 Conference Highlights

We have heard from many that the third annual Co-op America Green Business Conference was not only an excellent learning and networking opportunity but was also an energizing experience.

Diane Thompson from Harmony SoapWorks wrote us, “ The sessions were great, I met wonderful people…I left with ideas, goals and energy ... I’m pumped!”

The opening networking reception brought attendees together to share their motivations for coming and expectations.

The opening town hall plenary “The State of the Green Economy: Organics, Green Building, Social Investing, Fair Trade, Solar, and Corporate Landscape” provided the perfect framework for the three-day gathering. These industries that comprise the Green Economy are close to achieving the tipping point. Experts profiled the major accomplishments, strategies and challenges as we enter 2006 and the audience provided valuable feedback to the session.

The audience was moved by the work of Kavita Ramdas from the Global Fund for Women who spoke about the Social Change Entrepreneurs: Women for Economic Justice and the creation of the ‘Now or Never Fund’ to ensure women’s participation in international issues and creating programs that further their economic opportunities.

Ms. Ramdas stressed, “It’s true that micro-credit programs provide women with financial security and improved opportunities, but in communities where women are devalued and discriminated against, newly independent women may face violence and abuse. To foster women’s economic power, justice must be part of the equation."

Kavita Ramdas (left) and Sandi Smith from the Global Fund for Women with Co-op America’s Executive Director, Alisa Gravitz.

Dominique Conseil, President of AVEDA and Michael Crooke, of Patagonia shared examples from their companies on how they are addressing the issues of sustainability in their growth and future planning. This candid discussion pointed out the challenges and contradictions as they each face the hard issues of innovation, profitability, social responsibility and giving back.

Dominique Conseil looked at how competitiveness and social responsibility work together at AVEDA.

Michael Crooke, of Patagonia stressed,“The bigger we get -- the more we pollute, we have to look at the whole system.” This holistic view has driven the company’s innovations, the latest being the recyclable jacket. “If you can’t compost it – you should be able to recycle it – our goal is a closed loop.”

Katherine DiMatteo, Executive Director of Organic Trade Association, focused on the next steps for organics now that it has grown at 20% a year for the past 15 years and totals $15 billion in sales in 2005. Although impressive, these numbers only represent 2% of all food sales in U.S. and only 10% of consumers buy organics on a regular basis.

Paul Ray, author of book, Cultural Creatives and Gwynne Rogers, of Natural Marketing Institute led the business leaders through their work on how the LOHAS consumer makes purchasing decisions.

This information will help green business leaders grow their businesses.

Paul Ray's Presentation (PDF) »

Gwynne Rogers's Presentation (PDF) »

Gwynne Rogers and Paul Ray captured the audience’s attention as they documented the LOHAS consumer’s purchasing decisions.

Seth Goldman, of Honest Tea shared how his company learned enough from their failures to be successful. Sharing how they built a mission-driven brand and business while maintaining an annual growth rate of more than 60%. The attendees also shared some of their biggest mistakes.

Seth Goldman's Presentation (PDF) »

Seth Goldman speech on “Failing our Way to Success – How Honest Tea Learned Enough from its Failures to be Successful” was a popular session.

Gil Friend from Natural Logic and Alisa Gravitz, Co-op America Executive Director presented the emerging Sustainable Business Rating System (SBRS). This workshop gathered important data from the small green business leaders on designing a system that will meet their needs in monitoring sustainability in a restorative way.

Gil Friend's Presentation (PDF) »

A favorite session was Margot Fraser, founder of Birkenstock Footprint Sandals and Lisa Lorimer, founder of Vermont Bread Company as they shared their stories in Life Cycle of Successful Women Entrepreneurs. With over 50 years of accumulated experience they shared how they succeeded in the world of socially responsible business.

Margot Fraser (left) and Lisa Lorimer (right) had a frank discussion on how to maintain your social mission after you sell your company, moderated by Pamela Chaloult, Co-Executive Director of Social Venture Network (center).

A young entrepreneurs panel highlighted the cutting edge businesses of extreme sports and day spas. Jason Salfi, co-founder of Comet Skateboards shared his company’s growth as one of the leading skateboard companies that is maintaining it’s green sensibilities. Amber Marie Bently, co-owner of Kamalaspa told her story of being San Francisco’s most successful and influential day spas and skincare line based on the healing properties of Ayurveda.

John Abrams, co-founder of South Mountain Company, inspired the group with how his business takes a long view —and has used shared ownership and commitment to “bringing meaning to our work-lives and life to our communities as a model for success.”

John Abrams's Speech (PDF) »

Marc Lesser, Zen teacher and founder of Brush Dance, examined that at the core of the environmental and socially responsible business movement is the human heart and mind. According to Lesser, “We need to cultivate deep and joyful lives and communities and be able to feel and express curiosity, appreciation and gratefulness in order to work effectively for social change.”

Marc Lesser, signing his book, How Zen Practice can Transform Business, which shows the paradox of opening our hearts, while at the same time building strategic alliances and work within the framework of financial, organizational and systems disciplines.

Melissa Bradley, founder of Reentry Strategies Institute and Co-op America board member, offered startling facts on how formerly incarcerated persons are likely to be chronic offenders if not given employment opportunities. Bradley emphasized the role of green businesses in providing the jobs to reverse this trend.

Melissa Bradley's speech and resource list »

Melissa Bradley said with appropriate training and use of economic incentives – green businesses can be highly engaged in supporting the formerly incarcerated.

And a great way to end the conference was the visit to San Francisco’s famous vegan, organic restaurant, Millennium to hear owner, Chip Conley talk about his ‘karmic capitalism’ model for running his 28 boutique hotels and restaurants that is Northern California’s largest independent hotelier.

More Conference Highlights

Structured networking sessions provided time for everyone to share their business stories.

Mary Franks, Green Marketing Director of KBWB/WB20 TV, media sponsor of the conference/Green Festival, shared the greening of the station in both programming and in their own business practices. “Green America is a population that is changing the way we live, the way we act as consumers, and the way we look at the world. We are proud to be a first mass media outlet to step forward.” Franks credits this work to her experience at last year’s conference and being a Co-op America member.

Fun, humor and music was shared nightly.

The film, The Real Dirt on Farmer John captured our hearts with the story of the rise, fall and rise again of a family farm – which is now a successful Community Supported Agriculture farm outside Chicago.

The audience enjoyed the candid conversation with Farmer John Peterson (in pink boya) and director/filmmaker Taggart Siegal.
The film premiers in theatres in January.

The 2005 Green Business Leadership was awarded to Habitat Suites of Austin, Texas. Brandi Clark (center) received the award from last year’s winner, T.S. Design’s Cristie Holland (left) and Denise Hamler, CABN Director (right).

	Activist actress, Daryl Hannah and eco-rapper Charris Ford, presented Co-op America’s inaugural People’s Choice Award to Doug Dirkson of Fair Trade retailer Ten Thousand Villages.

Mayan Shamans from Belize, Don Francisco Caal and Don Emilio Caal joined us in our closing ceremony. Todd Pesek M.D.(right) of Earth Healers introduced the shamans and sponsored their trip to conference and Green Festival.

Jim Hightower (left) was the keynote speaker at the Green Festival Benefit Party – he was joined by Alisa Gravitz of Co-op America and Kevin Danaher of Global Exchange co-producers of the Green Festival.

Make plans now to attend the 2006 Green Business conference – Nov 7-10, 2006

Thanks to our partners and sponsors that made the 2005 Green Business Conference such a great success!

Need More Reasons to Attend this Year?

View available presentations from 2005 conference »

Register now »

2005 Conference Highlights

2008 Speakers