UW-Green Bay hosting ‘Green Innovations’ symposium on Earth Day
GREEN BAY — Businesses and organizations interested in improving their bottom line with innovation and sustainability will want to register for, or participate in the “Green Innovations 2009: Connecting Natural Capital to Economic Competitiveness” symposium, held at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay on Earth Day, April 22.
The all-day symposium, hosted by UW-Green Bay’s new Environmental Management and Business Institute, will showcase greener thinking and greener technologies in a variety of ways.
The “Green Innovations” symposium features:
• Keynote speakers who are experts in business aspects of sustainability and energy management and the impact on the economy;
• Breakout sessions on developing human capital for sustainability, transitioning to sustainability, and the profitability of sustainability;
• An Entrepreneurs Showcase with exhibitors displaying their products and services in energy technologies and discussing their best “green” business practices. Learn what’s ahead in innovation in biomass conversion, energy-saving devices, renewable energy sources and more;
• Networking opportunities with investors, community leaders, business leaders, educators and students.
“This is an opportunity for businesses and individuals to see what’s out there to aid with sustainability challenges,” UW-Green Bay Interim Chancellor David Ward said. “’Greener’ technologies will protect the environment while also helping businesses become more prosperous.”
Keynote speakers include Bob Willard, a leading expert on the business value of corporate sustainable strategies and author of “The Sustainability Advantage”; and Larry Weyers, the executive chairman of Integrys Energy Group. The luncheon speaker is Dennis Winters, chief of the Office of Economic Advisors at the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development.
Registration for attendees and exhibitors is due by Wednesday, April 15.
Registration materials are available online at www.uwgb.edu/embi/workshop, or by calling (920) 465-2642. Showcase exhibitors should call Christina Trombley in the Small Business Development Center, (920) 496-2117.
The symposium is made possible by the partnerships between UW-Green Bay, the Small Business Development Center, the New North and financial support from Foth, Baylake Bank, Wisconsin Public Service, Northeast Wisconsin Technical College, Schreiber Foods, FEECO International and ENCAP.
Details on ‘Green Innovations 2009’
Registration Deadline: Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Fee: $159 includes materials, lunch, breaks, parking. Payment due at time of registration
Showcase exhibitors participant fee: $87.50
Register online: Registration materials are available online at www.uwgb.edu/workshop or call (920) 465-2642 or (800) 892-2118.
For questions call (920) 465-2642 or (800) 892-2118. Showcase exhibitors should call Christina Trombley in the Small Business Development Center, (920) 496-2117.
Web site: www.uwgb.edu/embi/
About the speakers:
Keynote: Bob Willard
Bob Willard is a leading expert on the business value of corporate sustainability strategies. He has given hundreds of keynote presentations to corporate, government, university, and non-governmental organization audiences. Willard applies business and leadership development experience from his 34-year career at IBM Canada to engage business leaders in proactively avoiding risks and capturing opportunities associated with sustainability issues.
He is the author of “The Sustainability Advantage,” which quantifies potential bottom-line benefits from using sustainability strategies, and “The Next Sustainability Wave,” which shows how to convince senior executives to commit to sustainability strategies. He has a bachelor’s degree from McGill University (1964), a master’s degree from the University of Toronto (2000), and a Ph.D. in sustainability from the University of Toronto (2005).
Keynote: Larry Weyers
Larry Weyers is the executive chairman of Integrys Energy Group, a holding company with utility and non-regulated subsidiaries in the energy industry, including Wisconsin Public Service Corporation. He has been with the company since 1985.
Weyers currently works with various local, state and national organizations and is on the boards of Bellin Health, the Green Bay Packers, Green Bay Packaging, and the American Transmission Company. He is also a member of the Governor’s Task Force on Global Warming.
He holds a bachelor’s degree from Doane College in Nebraska, and master’s degrees in engineering from Columbia University in New York and business administration from Harvard University. He is a registered professional engineer.
Luncheon Presenter: Dennis Winters
Winters is the chief of the Office of Economic Advisors at Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development. He has expertise in economic analysis, modeling and forecasting; encompassing everything from designing commodity derivative strategies to assessing long-term policy initiative scenarios. Winters’ areas of focus will include regional and national macroeconomics, energy and labor markets, and economic impact analysis.
Schedule of events:
8:30 a.m. — Welcome from Chancellor David Ward
8:35 a.m. — Keynote, “The Business Case for Sustainability” with Bob Willard
9:45 a.m. — Keynote, “Green Energy” with Larry Weyers
10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. — Entrepreneurs Showcase
10:45 a.m. — Concurrent breakout sessions
• Developing Human Capital for Sustainability
• Transition to Sustainability
• Profitability of Sustainability
Noon — Lunch and presentation, “Our Future Workforce” with Dennis Winters
1:45 p.m. — Concurrent breakout sessions
(Same lineup as above)
3 p.m. to 7 p.m. — Earth Day activities on campus and in the community, open to the public, free.
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