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Sustainability conferences have been sprouting globally to broaden professionals’ awareness about our planet’s well-being and arm them with the best “green” practices. The burgeoning sustainability industry organizes these events to help reverse harrowing trends threatening our environmental future.
For instance, the World Resources Institute estimates that 100 flora and fauna species die each day from deforestation. Yet planting urban forests can improve biodiversity with mini-climates of wildlife often destroyed by city growth. Conferences delve deep into these issues in hopes of defending our natural resources for the next generation.
Whether environmentalism is your full-time job or volunteer passion, get inspired at the following conferences about sustainability happening in 2017.
1. Ninth Annual GreenBiz Conference: Phoenix, AZ
February 14-16, 2017
At the JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort, the Ninth Annual GreenBiz Conference will kick off in February for high-wattage stage presentations on the environment. Sponsored by The Sustainability Consortium, this three-day event is framed by the State of Green Business report to discuss the field’s latest trends. Tracks exist for Sustainable Supply Chains, The New Energy Landscape, Materiality & Metrics, Stakeholders & Storytelling, and Risk & Resilience. Attendees will be inspired by speakers like Starbucks’ Drew Wolff and Citibank’s Javette Hines.
2. Sustainable Water Management Conference: New Orleans, LA
March 19-22, 2017
Sponsored by the EPA, the American Water Works Association (AWWA) will hosts its annual Sustainable Water Management Conference this March in the “Big Easy.” Attendees will congregate at the Hotel Monteleone for four days to explore sustainability solutions for protecting the globe’s vital water resources. Workshop topics will range from water auditing to benefit cost analysis before a technical tour of the SWBNO drainage pump stations. Members who register before the Early Bird deadline on February 20th save $180.
3. Smart and Sustainable Campuses Conference: College Park, MD
March 26-28, 2017
Near the University of Maryland, the Smart and Sustainable Campuses Conference (SSCC) will take place in late-March at the College Park Marriott. Since 2005, this annual three-day event has brought together university officials to spark innovative solutions for on-campus environmental challenges. Attendees go beyond PowerPoint presentations to actively interact in workshops centered on the theme “Renew, Restore and Regenerate.” Young adults also attend the Student Summit for just $60 to present projects from climate justice to food consumption.
4. Grey to Green Conference: Toronto, ON
May 8-10, 2017
Focused on the theme “Quantifying Green Infrastructure Performance,” the Grey to Green Conference is one of the leading sustainability conferences for sharing strategies to design eco-friendly buildings. In May, the three-day event will unite multidisciplinary environmentalists at Toronto’s Chestnut Residence and Conference Centre. Speakers, including Minister Glen Murray, will give memorable talks about redesigning neighborhoods with green roofs, urban forests, bioswales, rain gardens, and more to reduce waste. Attendees can earn six CEUs for landscaping and roofing industry certification.
5. Environmental Leader Conference 2017: Denver, CO
June 5-7, 2017
More than 300 sustainability decision-makers are expected to attend the Environmental Leader (EL) Conference 2017 in June at the Hyatt Regency Denver Tech Center. Forward-thinking executives congregate for three days to share diverse approaches for better managing the Earth’s dwindling resources. Keynote sessions will be delivered by Marriott VP Denise Naquib, Owens Corning VP Douglas Ponstler, and Denver’s Chief Sustainability Officer Jerry Tinianow. Active discussions on sustainable innovation will culminate with the presentation of 2017’s Energy Manager Today Awards.
6. NEHA Annual Educational Conference & Expo: Grand Rapids, MI
July 10-13, 2017
The National Environmental Health Association will begin its 81st Annual Educational Conference & Expo this July at the Amway Grand Plaza in Grand Rapids. The idea-sharing consortium allows EH professionals to advance their sustainability strategies to reduce pollution, protect our food, improve workplace safety, etc. Attendees earn enough CEUs to satisfy the NEHA’s full two-year re-credentialing requirements. Learning labs take diverse educational tracks, such as Water Quality or Emergency Preparedness. Download the AEC Meeting App to stay abreast of developments.
7. 2017 Corporate Sustainability Management Conference: Chicago, IL
August 1-2, 2017
In August, the National Association for Environmental Management is offering its peer-driven Corporate Sustainability Management Conference for 2017. Chicago will welcome business leaders to delve into critical issues, including the energy-water nexus, greenhouse gas measurement, and renewable energy. Over 100 companies like Duke Energy, Raytheon, Target, and ConAgra Foods, are expected to participate. The Early Bird rate of $509 remains available until May 9th. For more eco-friendly talks, consider attending the NAEM’s Sustainability Women’s Leadership Roundtable in Portland this June.
8. SEJ 27th Annual Conference: Pittsburgh, PA
October 4-8, 2017
The Wyndham Grand Hotel in Pittsburgh Downtown will be the setting for the Society of Environmental Journalists (SEJ) 27th Annual Conference in early-October. Sponsored by the University of Pittsburgh, the five-day event will draw on the region’s post-industrial renaissance to learn key sustainability lessons. Plenary sessions will explore gas drilling, urban farming, green design, wilderness protection, and storm-water overflow. Hundreds of media professionals devoted to environmental justice will attend. Past speakers have included Gina McCarthy, Mark Schleifstein, and David Helvarg.
9. AASHE Conference & Expo: San Antonio, TX
October 15-18, 2017
Save the date for the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education’s (AASHE) Conference & Expo in mid-October. Devoted to the theme of “Stronger in Solidarity,” the four-day convention will attract over 2,000 attendees to San Antonio’s Riverwalk. It’s the largest sustainability conference for sharing transformative, eco-friendly actions that enhance campus communities. Faculty, students, administrators, and nonprofit leaders from 15+ countries will connect to develop an ecologically healthy world. The conference itself is sustainable with only recycled, biodegradable materials used.
10. International Conference on Green Energy & Expo: Las Vegas, NV
November 6-8, 2017
The Conference Series LLC organizes 600+ global events yearly, including the Fourth International Conference on Green Energy & Expo in November. Heading to Nevada’s “City of Lights” can enlighten attendees’ passion for sustainability. More than 300 environmental scientists are expected to participate in the three-day event focused on “Renewable Energy for a Sustainable World.” Attendees can select from diverse tracks, including Biofuels, Green Technology, Energy Conservation, Nano Environmental Technologies, and Bioremediation. Workshops are supported by the American Solar Energy Society (ASES).
Going green is increasingly vital to conserve the Earth’s resources from the scientifically proven threat of global warming. Sustainability conferences lay the perfect platform for environmentally-conscious leaders to share strategies for improving the “triple bottom line” of people, profits, and planet. Expand your professional horizons and global network by reserving time for some of these 10 must-attend conferences about sustainability in 2017.