Today is the first official day of Greenbuild 2009. Yesterday was check-in day, expo opening, and chapter events. Today begins the numerous education sessions and activities closing with Al Gore and Sheryl Crow. I expect a long, highly rewarding day.
A few updates to yesterday's comments. The closest Starbucks is actually in the West Building of the Convention Center. :-) Much closer than the location in the sports arena. No line either! Good to know.
The numbers are definitely beginning to swell so we shall see if the planning and coordination meets the needs. It is rumored that attendance is slightly down this year but that is probably to be expected.
The diversity of attendees is gratifying. No longer are we a ground concentrated with architects, engineers and contractors. We have far more policy makers and developers, government entities and financial people, and literally young and old from near and far which represents a goal that extends beyond green building.
In yesterday's chapter forum, the issue of social equity was discussed quite often and really brought to light the need to pursue diversity from all perspectives. I met with the Emerging Green Builders national committee and was very impressed with their passion. They are such wonderful champions of social equity and will inspire us to embrace the knowledge and experience of numerous backgrounds.
The forum closed with Scott Horst, Senior VP of LEED for USGBC, who presented a very inspirational speech on the 'purpose' of USGBC and finding the 'purpose' beyond the organization. He reminded us that the organization, USGBC, is a vehicle to promote a greater message of environmental stewardship and market transformation. Future generations will not remember US Green Building Council, but they will remember what we did to change the planet.
So, with that, I am inspired to jump into the education sessions and learn how we can continue to transform our market and change the planet. Nothing like BHAGs to start your day.
Make it a "green" day!
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