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2009 NLC Green Cities Conference & Expo
Programming and Events
DOWNLOAD PROGRAM GUIDE
- Workshop PowerPoints (UNDER CONSTRUCTION)--PowerPoints and other resources from the NLC Green Cities Conference are being added to the program listings below. Come back frequently to see new materials being added. PLEASE NOTE: The PowerPoint presentations are large files. You may need to right click on your mouse on the link and select open in a new window to open the file.
- Memory sticks containing conference resource materials were mailed to conference registrants who requested them on 5/18.
At the National League of Cities First Green Cities Conference & Expo participants
- Heard cutting-edge thinking from national and international presenters
- Learned to harness the green economy and bring jobs to cities
- Brought a team of key local players including city officials, business and civic leaders and return home with a "green print" for your action plan
- Created a network of peers across the country who share yoru commitement to building sustainable communities
- Participated in Mobile Workshops showcasing Portland's "green" success stories
- Heard new ideas at General Sessions
- Engaged in interactive workshops about programs that work
- Explored an expostion of vendors committed to environmentally-friendly products and services
- Connected at networking and team-building activities
Programming and Events
At the Green Cities Conference, the goal is not to just share ideas but to solidify plans, share best practices and create a network both of teams within cities and of peers networking across the country.
“NLC has found that the overwhelming majority of cities are thinking about sustainability, and they want to do the right thing,” explained Ken Rosenfeld, director of NLC’s sustainability efforts.
Special Events
Welcome Reception
Sunday, April 19
5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Join us at the Opening of the Eco-Focused Exposition where you can explore model programs, network with vendors and colleagues and explore the best in sustainable products and services for cities. Enjoy some predinner refreshments and make sure to stop by the Oregon Sustainable Industry Business Lounge (booth 500) and the City of Portland Booth (booth 307).
NLC thanks The City of Portland and the Portland Development Commission in coordination with Oregon Sustainable Businesses for its generous support of this event.
Eco-Fest
Monday, April 20
7:00 p.m. –10 p.m. • The Crystal Ballroom, 1332 W. Burnside
The festival will feature local natural foods, opportunities to visit vendors of eco–friendly and fair trade products, and connections with representatives of the local environmental community – all while enjoying live music and networking with other delegates in a green environment. The festival is included as part of the conference registration.
Attendees will travel independently to the festival using their TriMet passes.
The historic Crystal Ballroom is located at 1332 W. Burnside in Portland and is a short walk and/or ride on the public transit system from most conference hotels. Ask your hotel concierge for specifi c directions. A limited shuttle bus service, powered by Bio-Diesel will run from the Courtyard by Marriott and the Crowne Plaza Portland as an alternative to public transportation or taxi. See general information listing for details.
The National League of Cities thanks CH2M HILL for its generous support of this event.
General Sessions
Opening General Session
Sunday, April 19
3:30 p.m.– 5:00 p.m.
Presiding:
Kathleen M. Novak, Mayor, Northglenn, Colorado; National League of Cities President
Welcome:
Sam Adams, Mayor, Portland, Oregon
Keynote Address:
Doug Farr, Architect and Author, Sustainable Urbanism: Urban Design with Nature, Chicago, Illinois.
The National League of Cities thanks Weston Solutions, Inc., an NLC Corporate Partner, for its generous support of this session.
Monday Morning General Session
Monday, April 20
9:00 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.
A panel of distinguished experts explores different points of view on why and how cities and towns can go green.
Presiding:
Ronald O. Loveridge, Mayor, Riverside, California; National League of Cities First Vice President
Welcome:
Ted Kulongoski, Governor, State of Oregon
Moderator:
Kathleen M. Novak, Mayor, Northglenn, Colorado; NLC President
Panelists:
Elinor Ginzler, Senior Vice President, Livable Communities Strategies/Offi ce of Social Impact, AARP, Washington, DC
Christine McEntee, Executive Vice President, CEO, American Institute of Architects, Washington, DC
Art DeMuro, President/Secretary and Principal Broker, Venerable Group, Inc., Portland, Oregon
Tuesday Morning General Session
Tuesday, April 21
8:30 a.m. – 9:15 a.m.
Hear the latest on The STAR Community Index, an exciting and ambitious partnership currently under development to create a national, consensus-based framework for gauging the sustainability and livability of U.S. communities. STAR will be launched by 2010.
Moderator:
Ken Rosenfeld, Policy Director, National League of Cities, Washington, DC
Speakers:
Lynne Barker, Program Director, ICLEI– Local Governments for Sustainability, Seattle, Washington
Aaron Lande, Advocacy & Policy Coordinator, U.S. Green Building Council, Washington, DC
Closing Lunch and Town Meeting
Tuesday, April 21
12:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Representatives from cities of different sizes and regions across the country will share the lessons they have learned through their own efforts including the opportunities and challenges of implementing sustainable practices.
Presiding and Moderating:
Kathleen M. Novak, Mayor, Northglenn, Colorado; NLC President
Panelists:
Sam Adams, Mayor, Portland, Oregon
Ralph Becker, Mayor Salt Lake City, Utah
Mary Hamann-Roland, Mayor, Apple Valley, Minnesota
Ellen Moyer, Mayor, Annapolis, Maryland
The National League of Cities thanks The Home Depot Foundation for its generous support of this session
Workshop themes and topics:
Themes:
- Overarching Issues
- Energy
- Natural Resources
- Green Buildings & Operations
- Climate Change
Topics and Schedule:
Scroll over speaker names to see which speakers have presentations available for downloading (they flash red). Click on the speaker's name to download the presentation.
MONDAY, APRIL 20
Morning (Overarching Issues)
Harnessing the Potential of the Green Economy
11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Learn how to implement strategies to put your community at the forefront of the rapidly growing green economy. Topics include earning savings through energy efficiencies, creating jobs in clean technology industries, and attracting businesses interested in locating in “greener” communities.
Speakers:
Marc Weiss, Director and CEO, Global Urban Development, Washington, DC
Erin Flynn, Urban Development Director, Portland Development Commission, Portland, Oregon
Jay Coalson, President, Green Building Services, Portland, Oregon
Developing Your City’s Sustainability Plan
11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Every city has unique sustainability priorities, but every city needs a plan. Speakers representing a variety of perspectives will share their insights on how to develop a plan that meets the needs of your city.
Speakers:
Ellen Moyer, Mayor, City of Annapolis, Maryland
Nicole Woodman, Sustainability Manager, City of Flagstaff, Arizona
James Keene, City Manager, Palo Alto, California
Engaging Citizens in Sustainability Planning
11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Engaging many audiences in sustainability planning is necessary in order to be successful. When more and more people are provided opportunities to set and help achieve sustainability goals, they are more likely to have a stake in the outcomes and participate in the achievement of those goals. How can local officials – elected and staff – better work to include and encourage citizens to invest and engage in sustainability planning? This workshop will outline specific tools and strategies for involving residents in governance processes tailored to sustainability.
Speakers:
Ed Weeks, University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon
Greg Wolf, Executive Director, Policy Consensus Initiative, Portland, Oregon
Common Ground: A Regional Approach to Sustainability
11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
This workshop will highlight how cities have worked with neighbors in their region to establish and implement sustainability goals.
Speakers:
Ed Peterson, Councilmember, Lakewood, Colorado, and Chairman of the Board, DRCOG
Tom Jacobs, Director of Environmental Programs, Mid-America Regional Council
Statewide Green Programs
11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
A variety of programs have been developed by state municipal leagues to encourage and recognize cities going green. Get the details from a selection of the most innovative initiatives from across the country.
Speakers:
Jay Fissette, Council Member, Arlington County, Virginia
Mary Hamann-Roland, Mayor, Apple Valley, Minnesota
Afternoon
Green Infrastructure and Stormwater Management
Natural Resources Track
2:15 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
The traditional approach to stormwater is being turned on its head. The new “green infrastructure” approach is to slow down, retain, filter and let water infiltrate as much as possible. Advantages range from healthier streams, rivers, lakes and oceans to fewer overflows, less flooding and lower cost, and more beautiful communities. Learn about various green infrastructure methods and approaches and identify solutions for your community.
Speakers:
Dean Marriott, Director, Bureau of Environmental Services, Portland, Oregon
Scott Bernstein, President, Center for Neighborhood Technology, Chicago, Illinois
Innovations for Energy Utilities
Energy Track
2:15 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
U.S. electric utilities reach nearly 140 million full-service customers. Innovations are being applied by many of these companies to reduce energy demand and increase the proportion of energy produced from renewable sources. Explore strategies of both public utilities and investor-owned utilities to reduce emissions and establish new business models to meet the increasingly “green” demands of consumers.
Speakers:
Mike Freeman, Chief Financial Officer, City of Fort Collins, Colorado
Peter West, Director of Energy Programs, Energy Trust of Oregon, Portland, Oregon
Judy Dorsey, President, Brendle Group, Fort Collins, Colorado
Connecting the Dots: Sustainable Land Use Planning
Community Design track
2:15 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Learn how the physical layout of your community impacts sustainability and affects the ability to meet your community’s goals. This workshop will highlight tools and strategies that cities can use to combat inefficient growth and to ensure sustainable infrastructure development, a sense of community, and environmental quality.
Speakers:
Martin Rivarola, Community Development Director, Mission, Kansas
Suzanne Rynne, Manager, Green Communities Research Center, American Planning Association, Chicago, Illinois
Joe Zehnder, Chief Planner, Bureau of Planning and Sustainability, Portland, Oregon
Bright Ideas: Street and Traffic Lights
Green Buildings & Operations Track
2:15 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Saving energy, money and the environment can be as easy as changing a lightbulb. Your city’s street and traffic lights hold great potential for savings. Get the facts on the costs and benefits, and consider the hurdles to making a change.
Speakers:
Jim Hunt, Council Member, Clarksburg, West Virginia
Brian Davis, President, BDA Consulting Group, Dallas, Texas
Calculating Emissions
Climate Change Track
2:15 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Local governments are increasingly recognizing the need to benchmark and track emissions, but many find it to be a complex and daunting task. Learn about some of the options for finding the right tools so that your city can get this important work underway.
Speakers:
Amy Shatzkin, Regional Manager, ICLEI, Seattle, Washington
Susan Millhauser, Sustainability Planner, Lake Oswego, Oregon
Dr. Timothy Foresman, Johnson, Mirmiran & Thompson
TUESDAY, APRIL 21
Morning 1
A Connected Transportation Network
Community Design track
9:30 a.m. - 10:45 am
The existing system of federal transportation funding often misses opportunities to capitalize on the benefits of highly connected networks. Connecting places and people via multiple modes of travel is what ultimately allows for intense centers of economic development. This workshop will focus on themes that surround connected planning and also share successful local examples.
Speakers:
Marcy McInelly, Associate Principal, SERA Architecture, Urban Design + Planning, Portland, Oregon
Ed Peterson, Councilmember, City of Lakewood, Colorado
Energy Efficiency
Energy Track
9:30 a.m. - 10:45 am
The easiest way to save your city both energy and money is to focus on energy efficiency. From local and regional initiatives, to the federal EnergyStar program, learn about some of the best ideas that you can take back home.
Speakers:
Steve Morgan, President, Clean Energy Solutions, Inc., Cambridge, Massachusetts
Lola Schoenrich, Program Manager, Great Plains Institute, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Jack Davis, Market Manager, Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance, Portland, Oregon
Green Your City: Trees and Parks
Natural Resources Track
9:30 a.m. - 10:45 am
Parks and trees play a pivotal role in the environmental health of a city, and also contribute to the overall quality of life. Experts will discuss what information and arguments you need to know in order to implement a tree planting or parkland initiative.
Speakers:
David McAllister, City Nature Manager, City of Portland, Oregon
Richard J. Dolesh, Chief of Public Policy, National Recreation and Park Association, Washington, DCSusan Mockenhaupt, National Program Manager, Urban and Community Forestry, US Forest Service, Washington, DC
Green Buildings: Policies and Programs
Green Buildings & Operations Track
9:30 a.m. - 10:45 am
While there’s little argument on the benefits of green buildings, finding the right combination of policies and programs for any particular city is a critical task. National experts will share the latest information and options on how to green the variety of buildings in your city.
Speakers:
Melissa Gallagher-Rogers, Government Sector Manager, US Green Building Council, Washington, DC
Roger Limoges, State and Local Advocacy Manager, US Green Building Council, Washington, DC
Carlos Martin, Assistant Vice President, National Association of Home Builders, Washington, DC
Kevin Powell, Deputy Program Manager, Institute for Building Technology and Safety, Herndon, Virginia
Reducing Your City’s Carbon Footprint
Climate Change Track
9:30 a.m. - 10:45 am
Not waiting for the federal government, many cities across the U.S. are becoming leaders in addressing climate change. Local governments are changing municipal practices, instituting climate plans, and leading by example for their residents. This workshop will focus on what your city can do to cut carbon emissions.
Speakers:
Susan Anderson, Director of Sustainable Development, City of Portland, Oregon
Stuart A. Freudberg, Director of Environmental Programs, Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, Washington, DC
Ron Loveridge, Mayor, City of Riverside, California; NLC First Vice President
Morning 2
Alternative Energy Options
Energy Track
11:00 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.
Wind, solar and biogas offer renewable alternatives to the finite supply of fossil fuels. Learn how local governments can make use of presently available technologies to include renewable energy sources in local energy generation and purchasing.
Speakers:
John Lindemann, Sr. Manager for Business Development, Wheelabrator Technologies, Hampton, New Hampshire
Hannah Muller, Team Leader, Solare American Cities, U.S. Department of Energgy, Washington, DC
Paul Pabor, Vice President, Renewable Energy, Waste Management, Houston, Texas
Brett Wilcox, Project Manager, White Creek Wind Project, Portland, Oregon
New Technologies for Clean Drinking Water
Natural Resources Track
11:00 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.
The U.S. continues to experience challenges with both the quality and supply of water to sustain a growing population. As communities address the reality of a diminishing supply of fresh drinking water, some are turning to new and innovative technologies. Learn about some of these technological solutions and the barriers to implementation.
Speakers:
Shivaji Deshmukh, Groundwater Replenishment System Program Manager, Orange County Water District, Fountain Valley, California
Linda MacPherson, Vice President, CH2M HILL, Portland, Oregon
Local Food for Local Development
Community Design track
11:00 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.
Beyond the benefits of fresher food and reduced transportation, increases in food self-sufficiency rates can translate into local economic benefits. By producing locally, local governments can see economic benefits in workforce development, industry innovation, and small business development. Explore how cities can be part of the local food movement and start growing locally.
Speakers:
Margaret Brennan, Director of Economic Development, Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station, New Brunswick, New Jersey
Deborah Kane, Vice President for Food & Farms, Ecotrust, Portland, Oregon
Heike Mayer, Associate Professor and Co-Director, Metropolitan Institute at Virginia Tech, Alexandria, Virginia
Green Purchasing
Green Buildings & Operations Track
11:00 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.
Explore one of the simplest methods for making the biggest difference in going green. Every local government can make green purchasing a priority, and this session will cover a variety of purchasing programs and initiatives.
Speakers:
Jeffrey B. Baer, Procurement Director, Portland, Oregon
Bryan Shumey, Program Manager, U.S. Communities Government Purchasing Alliance, Walnut Creek, California
Nancy Davis, National Program Manager, Office Depot, Phoenix, Arizona
Dan Ford, Western Division Government Services Manager, The Home Depot
Climate Change Adaptation: Planning for the Future
Climate Change Track
11:00 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.
While local governments can address climate change by reducing carbon emissions, they also have the responsibility of preparing for the various effects of climate change that may be unavoidable. From sea-level rise and fresh-water loss, to health concerns and food shortages, every city will be faced with a unique set of challenges. Hear about the variety of issues that need to be considered, and learn from some of the leading examples of cities that are starting to plan ahead.
Speakers:
David Beach, Director, GreenCityBlueLake Institute, Cleveland, Ohio
Peter Drekmeier, Mayor, Palo Alto, California
Kathy Freas, Global Director for Water Resources and Ecosystem Management Services, CH2M/HILL, Albuquerque, New Mexico
Mobile Workshops
The City of Portland is scheduling mobile workshops that will highlight the city's successful and replicable "green" practices. Mobile workshop themes will include. Click here for a full listing with dates/times.
- Sustainable Storm Water: see examples of green streets, ecoroofs, rainwater harvesting/flushing toilets and more
- Waste Water Treatment and Biogas Power Generation: tour the wastewater treatment plant and see biogas renewable energy projects
- Green Urban Development: tour Portland’s green building and sustainable urban development
- Ecosystem Restoration: see examples in an urban environment
- Alternative Transportation Modes: see examples of MAX (light rail), streetcar, bike commuting and WES (commuter rail line)
- Sunderland Yard: tour an innovative facility that recycles, reuses and composts waste collected through street maintenance operations
- Solar Panels: tour manufacturing plant and large solar installation.
- Local Food Efforts: visit a variety of urban agricultural projects
- The Urban Forest: see how to manage for multiple benefits
Leadership Training Institute Seminars
Learn more about Leadership Training Institute Seminars being offered at the NLC Green Cities Conference by clicking here.
L01-The Green Cities Balancing Act: A Strategic Plan to Manage Current Needs Without Compromising the City’s Future
9:00 am – 5:00 pm – Saturday, April 18, 2009
Registration Fee: $145 Competency: Competent Practitioner / Catalyst (4 credits)
L02-Leading Innovation and Change: The Imperative for Sustainable Cities
9:00 am – 12:30 pm – Sunday, April 19, 2009
Registration Fee: $95 Competency: Competent Practitioner / Catalyst (2 credits)
City of Portland's BEST Awards Breakfast
 Plan your return travel for later on the 22nd in order to attend this breakfast event. NLC Green Cities Conference and Expo attendees are invited to enjoy the 17th Annual Businesses for an Environmentally Sustainable Tomorrow (BEST) Awards Breakfast at 7:30 a.m. on Wednesday, April 22nd at the Hilton Portland and Executive Towers, Grand Ballroom. The annual awards recognize Portland area companies demonstrating excellence in business practices that promote economic growth and environmental benefits. Registration for the breakfast ($40) is not included in the regular conference registration and must be added to online registration.
Learn more about the upcoming Green Cities Conference
NCW Article: NLC Spruces up Green Meeting Practices
NCW Article: NLC Helps Cities Maximize Their Resources With Sustainable Practices
NCW Article: Cities to Harvest Great Ideas at NLC Green Cities Conference and Expo
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