Greenbuild 2011: WHAT’S NEXT

Contributed by Dan Geiger, Executive Director, USGBC-NCC & Jessica Uhl, Program Manager, USGBC-NCC

“The greatest threat to our planet is the belief that someone else will fix it.”
--Robert Swan: first person ever to have walked to the North and South poles, environmental leader and Greenbuild 2011 closing speaker

 

When 23,000 leaders who believe we can fix the planet come together, it's called Greenbuild 2011.

Greenbuild 2011 in Toronto was an inspiring three days packed with more than 100 education sessions, 900 exhibitors, numerous keynote speakers, networking with fellow green building enthusiasts, and of course, great parties.

What’s NEXT is Breaking Patterns

 

Throughout the week, the “NEXT” conference theme was apparent: education sessions about what’s next in the green building industry - from LEED 2012, smart buildings, LEED automation, apps and “the cloud”, building performance, net zero, public policy and so much more. There was even a little theater in the Master Series - ever wonder what LEED has to do with Shakespeare’s The Tempest? See Senior Vice President of LEED, Scott Horst, on breaking patterns. Also, check out www.gbig.org, USGBC’s new Green Building Information Gateway, to see your city’s statistics on LEED buildings, square footage, accredited professionals and more, and an app exchange market.

At the opening plenary Rick Fedrizzi, USGBC President and CEO, spoke powerfully about a time in the not-so-distant future where green building will be the norm, and the U.S. Green Building Council will have no need to exist. Plenary keynote New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman described the profound economic and environmental challenges the world and the United States face. He challenged companies to change or go out of business; he made the case to put a price on the true cost of carbon, and insisted that green must become ubiquitous.

After a panel discussion about the USGBC Resiliency Agenda and Haiti, recording superstars Maroon 5 closed the evening with a high-energy set featuring both new and old hits. The band is committed to supporting Haiti, and raffled off a signed guitar for USGBC’s Project Haiti. Numerous companies held exclusive Greenbuild parties throughout the week, providing a place for conference attendees to relax, network, and enjoy Toronto.

Of course, Northern California was well-represented. Many Chapter members presented at educational sessions, and two local luminaries were recognized at the annual Leadership Awards luncheon. Lynn Simon of Simon and Associates got a standing ovation when she received one of two Leadership Awards given to individuals. Anthony Bernheim, former USGBC-NCC Board member and 2009 USGBC-NCC Green Building Super Hero awardee, was honored as one of the inaugural group of LEED Fellows.

Closing plenary speakers inspired the crowd to believe in breaking patterns, to be bold and creative, and to innovate. The culture of Northern California embodies this ethos – as closing speaker John Picard said: it’s about the spirit of “the valley” – Silicon Valley and Northern California, that is. His history lesson on the breakthrough technologies and thinking that emanate from our region was a perfect lead up to Greenbuild 2012.

San Francisco: Are You Ready for 2012?

 

Greenbuild 2012 in San Francisco was the talk of the town – the excitement about next year was palpable. It’s a natural - USGBC was founded in San Francisco, Northern California is the nation’s leading green building market, and everyone loves San Francisco! This region and the Northern California Chapter are all about leadership, innovation, and breaking patterns.

USGBC expects Greenbuild 2012 to be the largest in history, and USGBC-NCC is proud to be the Host Chapter for what promises to be the biggest and best Greenbuild ever.

An exciting year is ahead of us, are you ready? Be on the lookout in the coming months for ways to get involved in Greenbuild 2012.

Save the date! Greenbuild 2012 is November 13-16 in San Francisco.