We're excited to bring a fresh new program, packed full of topics critical to the continued prosperity of the Central Texas Region. Please take a look through the 2012 line-up and stay tuned for the release of our full program in early Spring!
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An expert panel of sustainability leaders from the Central Texas Region give an insider look at how they've used green business practices to establish a competitive advantage in their market and make strategic shifts with major payoffs. Roadmaps to success will be shared with the audience, with a focus on leveraging vision and values to create long-term viability. |
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Waste Not, Want Not: Tactical Advice to Minimize Waste and Maximize Savings Waste might not be the sexiest topic on the program, but it's one of the most important. This nuts & bolts session will give attendees tactical takeaways and process-oriented expertise for improving comprehensive Zero Waste management. Sub-Topics will include: Auditing and setting baselines, measuring efficiency, systems planning, minimization and diversion strategies, and using upstream and downstream analysis to maximize savings. Drought Busters: Managing Water For The Long Haul Central Texas could be facing the most severe drought on record with little forecast for rain over the next year. In Drought Busters, regional experts in water management and conservation will discuss the future outlook and anticipated strategies for responsibly sharing this scarce resource. There will be a strong discussion element to the session—specific to the Central Texas business community—on how companies can design and enact solutions that will benefit their own bottom line and the greater good. People Power: Bringing to Light the Hidden Value of The Sustainability Equation Concrete social sustainability provisions are often left out of corporate responsibility frameworks and mission statements. Other times companies make commitments to social responsibility, but indicators are difficult to define, measure or improve upon. Consequently, critical social elements are left under-valued—increasingly putting businesses at a disadvantage in their markets. Panelists will substantiate the importance of equity, diversity, health, wellness and community; identify actionable areas for improvement; and discuss the impact of people power on the continued success of private sector endeavors. Rise of the Creatives: Leveraging Culture to Build a Sustainable Economic Engine Austin's thriving creative sector—which includes artists, musicians, designers and more—has put the city in an unique and advantageous position. Such cultural capital can be seen as an engine for sustaining and strengthening Austin's economy. Hear from panelists who reveal how this model can be expanded and even translated for other cities. Learn how the Central Texas Region is poised to benefit from the Rise of the Creatives—and ways your organization can benefit the culture shifts that are happening as a result. ENGAGE! Forming, Facilitating and Transforming Employees Into Sustainability Champions Engaging employees around sustainability initiatives can be tough to achieve, especially if your work force isn't immediately gung-ho on the idea or feels threatened by policies they don't understand. Sustainability champions don't just grow on trees, so this session will focus on cultivating the behavior change and cultural shift needed to gain employee buy in. Key takeaways include proven best practices on how to define goals, enact change, gain support from employees and measure the impact. Keep Texas Local: Food Security For a Growing Region Sustainable regional food systems play an integral role in supporting a thriving population. They provide healthy nourishment for the people, jobs and security. They also help reduce carbon emissions and preserve land and resources for future generations. In this session, we'll move beyond the arguments for better taste and nutrition to break down the economic benefits of organic, regional agriculture, plus discuss the significant impact it has on the general economy and the regional business community. How Low Can You Go? Cost Effective Tools + Incentives For Lowering Business Energy Consumption When it comes to lowering energy use, smart operational decisions go a long way. Learn how to set baselines, identify target areas, and implement efficiency improvements to slash your consumption and maximize savings. This session will also provide information on incentives and programs available to ease the upfront cost of retrofits and capital investments. You'll leave armed with both tools and knowledge to combat energy waste right away. Emerging Green Leaders: Trends and Culture Shifts as a New Generation Takes The Torch As a new generation rises, culture shifts are inevitable. But what happens when the kids who grew up recycling and learning about the dangers of global warming take the reigns? We present four "young guns" emerging leaders you'll be hearing a lot more from for years to come—to share perspectives on how their generation will tackle the climate, economic and social issues it's inheriting. How To Become A Green Business: An A - Z Guide (presented by the City of Austin) The City of Austin presents "Are you a green business leader?" to introduce its Green Business Leaders Program which recognizes businesses for taking tangible and measurable steps to greening their operations. The program is a resource for businesses who are leading as well as learning the ropes of sustainability. Learn from founding members of the program about best practices, resources for support, and incentives (energy efficient upgrades, water efficiency, zero waste, commuting solutions, etc.) available in Central Texas. 2012 Forecast: Hot Opportunities in Clean Tech + Energy What's next on the frontiers of clean tech and renewable energy? Attend this session to find out! Regional industry experts reveal where these critical industries are headed, which local innovations are making global impact and what development in these sectors means for businesses in Central Texas. Lost In Translation: Reframing "Green" To Reach Mainstream Audiences Vagueness, irresponsible use and a lack of mutually agreed upon standards have all but driven out the value behind words like green, natural and eco-friendly. Add to that a propensity for sustainability marketing to take an elitist tone, and it's no wonder mainstream audiences haven't jumped on board the bandwagon, despite nearly half the U.S. population citing they do care about preserving the environment. In our 2012 marketing & branding session, we'll discuss strategies for reframing the debate on sustainability and the most effective ways to reach a mainstream audience on the topic. Connecting the Regional Economy: How Key Industries Are Laying the Foundation For a more Sustainable and Prosperous Future in Central Texas Business as usual just doesn't cut it anymore. Both individual organizations and the regional economy stand to gain competitive advantages, achieve greater efficiency, increase productivity and social betterment via integration of sustainability programs. This session is a showcase of leading case studies that will demonstrate potential in industry intersections that signal a growing regional economy that is greater than the sum of its parts. |
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Click to view the 2011 GoGreen Austin Program