Planning a remodel or interested in green building design? Don’t miss out on the nation’s largest green building trade show, West Coast Green, being held Sept. 25–27 at the San Jose Convention Center. To get a taste of what’s being offered at West Coast Green, we were lucky enough to speak with Karen Jackson, chief innovation and program director for this year’s convention.

What is West Coast Green?
West Coast Green is the largest interactive conference and expo on innovative green building, design, and technology in the world today. As the hub for collective intelligence, we assemble the visionary thinkers, business leaders, products, and technologies that are revolutionizing the way we build and live in our homes, work spaces, and communities. This conference is about the sophisticated aspects of green; the soul of it and the metrics of how we create a new, thriving, healthy economy and society through greater resource efficiency.
Buildings account for 70 percent of landfill waste in the U.S., 71 percent of electricity use, and 39 percent of CO2 emissions. The impact of becoming a greener citizen and professional is one of those rare acts that truly does have a global, positive impact. West Coast Green’s goal is to help facilitate education, innovation, and change in every component of building design, development, and technology.

Who should attend West Coast Green?
Anyone who believes that now is the time to converge resources among diverse industries to create a better and more sustainable future. West Coast Green includes the entire chain of green industry professionals, business decision makers, and consumers. For those in the building, design, and technology industries, this conference will be of particular value. This conference uniquely enables innovators to come together and discuss emerging technologies, systems, and applications in the green space.

What will attendees learn at West Coast Green?
West Coast Green offers incredible professional education and initiative development resources for trade and business professionals. With networking cafes and forums twice daily, as well as numerous demonstrations, more than 300 speakers, 380 exhibits, a two-story show house, and 10 preconference workshops, participants have the opportunity to make valuable business connections and learn about innovative new products and techniques in the green building arena. Our world is evolving at a swift pace, and West Coast Green serves as the bridge to tomorrow with up-to-the-minute content on sustainable business, building, innovation, and design.

Who are some of this year’s keynote speakers?
A few of the keynote speakers that we are very excited to welcome to West Coast Green this year are Al Gore, former vice president and Nobel Laureate; David Suzuki, author and TV host of The Nature of Things; Hunter Lovins, founder and president of Natural Capitalism Solutions; and Sarah Susanka, author of The Not So Big House and series. With more than100 presentations, ranging from Creating Communities to Green Finishes Inside and Out and The Future of Technology and Sustainable Design, there will be something of interest for everyone.

If some can attend only one day of West Coast Green’s three-day event, what would you recommend they see and do?
On Saturday, you can attend an early-morning networking cafe to meet new colleagues. Listen to the keynote addresses by Al Gore and Jerry Brown and be thoroughly inspired. Attend an intimate lunchtime table-topic conversation and delve deep into content with industry experts. Visit some of the 380 trade-show floor exhibits and the full-scale show house and show gardens. Lastly, move on to breakout sessions and in-depth interactive workshops that will empower you with the knowledge and tools you need to create significant positive changes for your home and your life.

For more information please, visit: http://www.westcoastgreen.com.

Karen Jackson’s Resource Recommendations
Websites

earth2geek
Eco Fabulous
ecogeek
inhabitat
U.S. Green Building Council

~ Amanda Miller

Printer friendly page

Tags: Categories: