Looking Forward to Greenbuild 2011

In less than two weeks I will be traveling to Greenbuild in Toronto. For those of you not familiar with Greenbuild, it is an annual trade show and conference organized by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and packed with exhibits and educational opportunities. This year's event is being held outside of the United States for the first time. There will be more than 900 exhibitors--comparable in size to the combined International Hotel, Motel + Restaurant Show/Boutique Design New York in November. If you are planning to attend Greenbuild this year, be sure to add your comments to this blog entry to let me know what you are anticipating most at the event. For me I expect the highlight to be the trade show floor. In the past, Greenbuild has been a great place to learn about new, sustainable building materials as well as products that can help save energy and water. I expect it will be the same this year.

Greenbuild has an excellent lineup of speakers with Thomas Friedman, Cokie Roberts, and New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg. Entertainment will be provided by "Moves Like Jagger" Maroon 5. Green building tours will be offered and the Greenbuild International Film Festival will be held as it has in past years.

I often wonder if our industry would support a Greenbuild type of trade show and conference. I have yet to see anyone make a strong attempt to do it. Yes, there have been small conferences with a trade show component but these events have typically been planned in just a few months with little money behind them. There have been few name speakers to draw people. Who knows, maybe a well-funded company will come along--one with significant event planning experience--and plan an event that those with a stake in green lodging will be excited to attend? I would love to be part of it. If you had the freedom to create a Greenbuild type of event for our industry, how would you structure it? Where would you hold it? Whom would you invite to speak? What "can't miss" sessions would you create? I would love to hear from you with your comments.