Cities to Harvest Great Ideas at NLC Green Cities Conference and Expo
by Tricia Dwyer-Morgan
Increased civic energy aimed at greening America’s cities has inspired NLC to host its first Green Cities Conference and Expo, to be held April 19-21, 2009, in Portland, Ore.
“In cities across America, environmental issues aren’t trendy; they are fundamental realities that alter the health, economic viability and growth of communities,” said NLC President Cynthia McCollum, council member from Madison, Ala. “Local governments are not waiting for federal action; instead they are creating new and innovative programs to address their specific communities. Portland is the perfect location for the conference, given its commitment to green building, local food, alternative fuels, renewable energy and bike friendliness.”
While green conferences are springing up around the country for both consumers and business to business, the 2009 Green Cities Conference and Expo will focus on the unique knowledge and resources needed by city governments.
“We expect great local and national support for this conference from participants, exhibitors and sponsors,” said Ken Rosenfeld, director of NLC’s sustainability efforts. “It is a unique opportunity for all those active in the green cities movement to find each other and deliberate strategically about the needs of cities, towns and villages.”
A comprehensive showcase of green technology, ideas and practices will be featured in the 2009 Green Cities Expo. The exposition hall is expected to sell out quickly for this event. Groups wishing to share their knowledge, services or products are encouraged to contact the Green Cities exposition hall coordinator, Jon Kardon, at (504) 293-2615 or kardon.jon@gmail.com.
NLC already supports city-centered “green” efforts by serving as a clearing house for green city practices, championing an advocacy platform, gathering research on environmental issues and sharing the latest information about local, state and federal requirements.
At the 2009 Green Cities Conference, city representatives and those who work with them will find everything in one place to launch or enhance green initiatives in local communities — access to a large and targeted group of experts, vendors, planning activities, tools and real-world examples.
“We’re planning a conference that will highlight the most up-to-date information and resources to build sustainable communities,” said NLC First Vice President Kathleen Novak, mayor of Northglenn, Colo. “We also plan to emphasize green practices during the conference, including minimizing paper, maximizing recycling and drawing on the resources and knowledge of the host city to ensure that the conference supports the themes and messages it will be discussing.”
It takes a team to green a village (city or town), and programming at the 2009 Green Cities conference is designed to help city green teams update or develop comprehensive sustainability plans.
The team approach reflects the reality of how cities implement green initiatives, say conference planners. Support networks are critical to the development and implementation of such a comprehensive initiative. For participants who attend without an existing team, NLC will connect them to other conference attendees and create support networks that they can maintain when they return home.
“Cities are taking the lead in identifying innovative and responsible solutions that fall under the umbrella of sustainability,” said Rosenfeld. “Increasingly, local officials are focusing on sustainability as a concept encompassing many of the issues critical to their cities’ long-term health: as an economic engine that can drive new business opportunities, as a fiscally responsible method to measure their own operations and as a guide for creating places where more people will want to live. Through planning efforts and the adoption of new green technologies, cities stand to reap both fiscal and environmental benefits, both of which are in growing demand from constituencies.”
The City of Portland is also ready to showcase local sustainability efforts.
“In Portland and throughout Oregon, we have thousands of companies that are doing the right thing — improving their environmental footprint and saving money,” said Mayor Tom Potter. “And, at the same time, we have hundreds of local firms that now sell products and services that pollute less, improve air or water quality, use energy more efficiently or create electricity from renewable sources. Sustainable industries are truly becoming the cornerstone of our economic development strategy.”
Details: To learn more about the Green Cities Conference and Expo, click here. Online registration is scheduled to open August 1. Join the Green Cities Conference and Expo e-alert for periodic updates by sending an e-mail to dwyer-morgan@nlc.org.
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