G2B

Green Basics

Learn the terms, concepts, myths and facts and the differences between "green" and "sustainable."
Workshop Type:

The Basics Session: 9:15–10:15 AM
Presented by: Sue Loomans, Executive Director - WGBA

The New Energy/Climate Change Economy: Assessing the Impacts on Your Business

There are sweeping energy/green house gas ("GHG") emission regulatory changes being developed in Congress, the EPA, and in the Wisconsin legislature that are sure to have an impact on your business. This session will highlight enacted and proposed rules that will affect most businesses in the manner in which they use energy. Even if your business doesn't directly generate GHGs, your supply chain may be impacted. There will be winners and losers from these new developments. Planning now for these changes will create greater opportunities for the "winners" and reduce the risk of losses for the "losers."
Workshop Type:

Building on the Basics Session: 9:15–10:15 AM
Presented by: Art Harrington, Environmental And Energy Law Practice - Godfrey & Kahn, s.c.

Solar Hot Water Systems - The Right Choice Today

Solar hot water systems are one of the most economical and efficient renewable energy technologies today. You can take advantage of current financial solar incentives to help reduce your water heating costs while demonstrating your company's commitment to the environment and community. One of the leading experts in solar thermal systems will be discussing the technology as well as highlighting many examples of successful solar installations for businesses in the Midwest.
Workshop Type:

Technical Briefing Session: 9:15–10:15 AM
Presented by: Kurt Koepp, Hot Water Products Inc.

True Green: A First in Dairy Manufacturing

Making organic cow and goat whey protein in a green manufacturing facility was a dream of Tera Johnson, President of Wisconsin Specialty Protein. Hear Tera tell the story of how she built the first award-winning green dairy manufacturing facility in the country and created a market for unique whey products from Wisconsin's dairy industry. The result is a fully integrated green business that includes sourcing whey from sustainable farms and artisan cheesemakers, green manufacturing processes and building, and creating a viable market for organic and natural whey products for a demanding marketplace.
Workshop Type:

Case Studies Session: 9:15–10:15 AM
Presented by: Tera Johnson, Wisconsin Specialty Protein

Marketing: Beyond Random Acts of Green-ness

Go beyond photos of trees and grass in your corporate brochure and get to the roots of communicating sustainability. Learn how to avoid "green washing" and identify elements that create a credible environmental message that supports your business goals.
Workshop Type:

The Basics Session: 10:45–11:45 AM
Presented by: Chris Linn, Bassett Mechanical • Mary Schmidt, Schmidt Communicates LLC

Create a Sustainability Plan for Your Business

Before you can measure how green you want to be, successful models start with creating a sustainability plan for your business. Keynote speaker Darcy Hitchcock will show you the steps to create a plan, then look at the measures and goals needed.
Workshop Type:

Building on the Basics Session: 10:45–11:45 AM
Presented by: Keynote Speaker, Darcy Hitchcock

Sustainability: A Core Business Strategy for Building Healthy Communities

Healthy people, healthy worksites and health-promoting green processes all intersect the bottom line. Profitable businesses recognize the synergy of integrating sustainable business strategies around their people, the environment and profits. Businesses practices that are good for the employee, the company and the environment create sustainable communities.
Workshop Type:

Building on the Basics Session: 10:45–11:45 AM
Presented by: Margie Weiss, Weiss Health Group

Green Extremes: One of the Greenest Buildings in the World

Buddy Huffaker, executive director of the Aldo Leopold Foundation, will talk about the groundbreaking green features in their new Legacy Center building. The building, located in Baraboo, received LEED platinum certification and includes innovations like geothermal heating, photovoltaic solar, trees harvested from the Leopold Foundation land and many more features.
Workshop Type:

Case Studies Session: 10:45–11:45 AM
Presented by: Buddy Huffaker

Businesses: Recycling Beyond the Dumpster

Learn how to recycle beyond the bin/dumpster. In this session you will learn what your business should be recycling and how to do it. This will include computers, other electronics, fluorescent bulbs, batteries and more. We will also discuss ways to encourage your employees to become more "green."
Workshop Type:

The Basics Session: 1:15–2:15 PM
Presented by: Jill Haygood, Outagamie Dept of Solid Waste

Is Producing Your Own Renewable Energy in Your Company's Future?

Many companies are looking into producing their own energy. How do you know what makes sense for your company? Is it solar panels, a wind tower? Do you go in with other businesses and bid a biomass power plant? This workshop will provide the basics for evaluating the benefits of different renewable energy sources and their cost effectiveness.
Workshop Type:

Building on the Basics Session: 1:15–2:15 PM
Presented by: Joel Laubenstein, Baker Tilly

High Value, Low Cost Solutions for Existing Buildings

Most businesses operate in facilities that were built long before LEED principles were developed. How does a business owner decide how far to take the LEED certification for an existing building? Learn basic strategies you can use to make your existing building a more sustainable asset even if LEED certification isn't in your current business plan.
Workshop Type:

Building on the Basics Session: 1:15–2:15 PM
Presented by: Paul Kayser, LEED AP, Bassett Mechanical

Lights Without Electricity and Other Innovations in Lighting Technology

Orion Energy Systems is a Wisconsin-based power technology enterprise that has become nationally recognized for delivering innovative clean-energy technology solutions to many of America's Fortune 500 companies. These same solutions make sense for almost any business. This workshop will cover what's new in high efficiency lighting, intelligent energy control systems, and direct-use renewable technologies including solar, photovoltaic and wind generation.
Workshop Type:

Technical Briefing Session: 1:15–2:15 PM
Presented by: Kevin Crawford, Senior Vice President - Governmental Affairs and Corporate Communications, Orion Energy

Greening Your Workspace

If you don't think the little things add up, think again. You will learn things you can do in your office immediately to leave a smaller environmental footprint. From interior design to cleaning products, you will be presented with the best ideas in greening your workspace.
Workshop Type:

The Basics Session: 3:00–4:00 PM
Presented by: Jeff Budelier, Recycled Office Environments • Eric Hagen, Envirox

Sustainability: A Cost-Benefit Analysis For Existing Facilities

Join us for an open and frank panel discussion about the cost paybacks on creating a green building. Board members and experts affiliated with the Wisconsin Green Building Alliance (WGBA) will review the bottom line of sustainable construction and how it affects the life cycle of a building.
Workshop Type:

Technical Briefing Session: 3:00–4:00 PM
Presented by: WGBA Fox Valley Cost Paybacks Committee including: George Barker, Quality Management Services, Inc. & River Valley Testing Corp • David Delfosse, Somerville, Inc. • Dean Hunt, Martenson & Eisele Inc. • Jennifer Yagow, Martenson & Eisele • Nick Mueller, The Boldt Company • Margie Weiss, Weiss Health Group, LLC

Businesses Making Something Out of Nothing

If one man's trash is another man's treasure, then there's gold in reuse. Learn how some local businesses have made profits out of recycling as Urban Evolutions and SDF Strapping share their green business story.
Workshop Type:

Case Studies Session: 3:00–4:00 PM
Presented by: Ed Dever, SDF Strapping • Jeff Janson, Urban Evolutions