CHICAGO—The annual Greenbuild International Conference and Expo is less than two months away. The event will be held November 17 to 19 in Chicago at McCormick Place West—the site of Greenbuild 2007 but with twice as much space this year. Every year, Greenbuild is packed with timely, innovative education from throughout the industry, the world’s largest green building expo floor, inspirational speakers, networking opportunities, special events, tours and recreational opportunities. This year is no different.
More than 800 exhibiting companies will be on hand, including companies from American Dryer Inc. to Zurn Industries, LLC. Notable speakers will include Paul Hawken, founder of several successful companies, including Erewhon Trading Company; Shaun Donovan, who served as the Clinton administration’s Deputy Assistant Secretary for Multifamily Housing; Arlene Blum, founder and executive director, Green Science Policy Institute; and Martha N. Johnson, administrator, U.S. General Services Administration.
Many green building tours will be offered, there will be a jobs fair and green jobs summit, and a long list of educational sessions will be available to attendees. Sessions will focus on topics ranging from “The Impact of Energy Legislation on Real Estate” to “LEED Hotel Development and Operations.”
The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), Habitat for Humanity Lake County, and Bank of America have teamed up on this year’s Greenbuild Legacy Project. Two affordable green homes will be built in Lake County, Ill., funded by a $125,000 donation from the Bank of America Charitable Foundation. The construction of which will coincide with USGBC’s Greenbuild. Each year, the Greenbuild Legacy Project Committee selects a project to give to its host city as a symbol of gratitude for hosting Greenbuild and to share with that region the benefits of green building.
Habitat for Humanity has been very successful in providing affordable housing to families they determine can handle the financial and maintenance obligations of the new homes they build. The anticipated energy and maintenance costs of ownership figure prominently in qualifying potential future homeowners. This project is designed to demonstrate, through the cooperative effort of various local consultants, product manufacturers, and volunteers, the idea of green, affordable housing. A network of volunteers from USGBC, Bank of America Community Volunteers and Habitat for Humanity will work alongside the families to complete the construction of the two homes.
For more information about USGBC’s Greenbuild Conference & Expo, visit www.greenbuildexpo.org.
