November 14-16
Registration for San Francisco
opens after our Spring Conference
Join us at our next Conference: Chicago 2008 »
Can't attend? Get the benefits of Co-op America’s Green Business Network™ all year long.
2007 Conference Highlights
A record number of people attended the fifth annual Co-op America Business Conference. Attendees enjoyed the networking opportunities, welcoming atmosphere, and inspiring speakers.
conference photos by Chip Py
The conference kicked off with Co-op America Green Business Network™ Director Denise Hamler inviting attendees to use their unique position as green business leaders to help direct the future of responsible business in America. Read
more »
Laurie Demeritt of The Hartman Group presented their recent research, The Hartman Report on Sustainability: Understanding the Consumer Perspective documenting the current green consumer trends. Read more
»
Laurie Demerritt's presentation (PDF, 1.9 MB)»
Co-op America Executive Director Alisa Gravitz, an expert on climate change, provided specific examples of how green businesses are part of the climate solution. Read more »
Alisa Gravitz's presentation (PDF, 1.8 MB) »
In a case study, Lori Duvall of Sun Microsystems explained their company’s path to sustainability and going green. Read more »
Lori Duvall's presentation (PDF, 86 KB) »
Organic Valley Family of Farms' Project Coordinator Erin Ford reported on the sustainability practices at Organic Valley and with the family farms they work with. From a group of seven farmers in 1988, Organic Valley has grown to over 1,280 farmers nationwide. Read
more »
Erin Ford's presentation (PDF, 636 KB) »
A special feature of the conference was The Carbon Concierge, a project of the Bainbridge Graduate Institute and Social Venture Network created to help businesses reduce their carbon footprint.
Read more »
Lorinda Rowledge, PhD’s presentation (PDF, 505 KB) »
Mickey Lee's presentation (PDF, 1.4 MB) »
Growing your Business with eBay was introduced by Priya Haji, Robert Chatwani and Ella Silverman. Project Good, a joint venture of eBay and World of Good, will bring fair trade and eco-friendly products to a wider marketplace in 2008. Read more »
We introduced Bridges to Action and SpeedPlanning to help conference attendees follow through on their conference inspirations when they return home.
Read more »
Mark Finser, Board Chairman of RSF Social Finance, conveyed the importance of knowing where your funding is coming from and what motivates the investment
Read more »
Christopher Horner, of solar company Solio, shared his experience seeking investors. Read more »
Elliott Hoffman of New Voices for Business joined us to talk about the implementation of the California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006. Read more »
Attendees enjoyed an optimistic look at the future of green business presented by publisher and editorial director of Ogden Publications, Bryan Welch. Read
more »
James Kenefick challenged company leaders to make plans and stick to them
Read more »
James Kenefick's presentation, part 1 (PDF, 486 KB)»
James Kenefick's presentation, part 2 (PDF, 617 KB)»
As founder of several businesses, Joe Sibilia shared valuable exercises used by business owners that facilitate in securing financial resources. Read more »
To advance your vision of a socially just world, Eric Friedenwald-Fishman emphasized the necessity of effective marketing. Read more »
Eric Friedenwald-Fishman's presentation (PDF, 822 KB) »
Green living expert Sara Snow shared her journey of growing up as a child of the environmentalist founders of Eden Foods to hosting her own cable show, "Get Fresh with Sara," on The Discovery Channel.
Read more »
Sara Snow's presentation (PDF, 128 KB) »
Coaching us to success, veteran business owners Janet DiGiovanna and Danny Rubenstein, reminded us that “Entrepreneurs take a problem and make a solution.” Read more »
Hilary Abell and Deb Goldberg of WAGES (Women’s Action to Gain Economic Security) and four members of Natural Home Cleaning, a 26-member cooperative offering eco-friendly house cleaning, joined us in discussing the role of green business in creating a more socially just world. Read more »
WAGES' presentation (PDF, 549 KB) »
Simran Sethi, host of Sundance Channel's "The Green," and newly named Environmental Reporter for CNBC urged attendees to help the media tell these complicated business stories. Read more »
The 2007 Green Business Leadership Award was given to Organic Valley Family of Farms. Erin Ford received the award from last year’s winner Jeff Mendelsohn, the founder of New Leaf Paper. Read more »
Make plans now to attend the next Green Business Conference – Chicago, May 14-15, 2008
Thanks to our partners and sponsors that made the 2007 Green Business Conference San Francisco such a great success!
Need More Reasons to Attend this Year?
Read the full highlights from the 2006 conference »
View available presentations from past conferences »
2008 Speakers
Tom Szaky
Founder/CEO, TerraCycle
Roxanne Quimby
Founder, Burt's Bees
Seth Goldman
President/TeaEO, Honest Tea
Miranda Magagnini
Co-CEO, IceStone, LLC
Andrew Williamson
Director, Physic Ventures
Sharon Rowe
Founder/CEO, Eco-Bags Products, Inc.
Rony Alcalay
Founder, Vital Hemptations
Carolyn Parrs
Co-Founder, Mind Over Markets
Irv Weinberg
Co-Founder, Mind Over Markets
MaryAnne Howland
CEO, IBIS Communications, Inc.
Charisee McAuliffe
Founder/COO, GenGreen™
Dennis Salazar
President, Salazar Packaging
Tracey Pettengill Turner
Founder and General Manager, MicroPlace
Raphael Bemporad
Founding Partner/Principal, BBMG
David Lubensky
President, Bagatto, Inc.
Alisa Gravitz
Executive Director, Co-op America
Denise Hamler
Director, Co-op America's Green Business Network™/Green Festivals™
