Go Green Seattle 2010

Next week hails the long and widely publicized green-business event of the season, Seattle’s 2010 Go Green Conference. Over 60 speakers from all over the Pacific Northwest will converge on the 3rd floor of the Hyatt Hotel in downtown Seattle to discuss, share and learn about the latest in sustainable business practices. For months now, downtown and the financial district has been sporting Go Green flags in obvious support for the event, getting the word out about Seattle’s commitment to sustainable business.

The Go Green Conference is designed to educate, to motivate, and to inspire local and regional businesses to, well, go green. Through the presenting of solid, “actionable” steps, appropriate tools, and guidance, Go Green’s mission is to allow business owners to see the real value and their own ability to move toward a more environmentally aware and sustainable business model. 2010’s Seattle conference is a follow up to Portland’s Go Green event in 2009.

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Scheduled for Wednesday, April 21st, the conference is scheduled to kick off at 7:30 with a panel of Emerging Green Companies. Go Green’s impressive cast of keynotes speakers include KC Golden, Policy Director of Climate Solutions, Seattle Mayor, Mike McGinn, and Microsoft’s Chief Environmental Strategist, Rob Bernard. Conference break out sessions cover a wide variety of topics including Building Sustainability into Business Operations, Traditional Companies Going Green: Sustainable Strategy for Long Term Growth, Developing Your Sustainability Plan, State and Local Sustainability Resources, Carbon Footprint Analysis, Green Marketing, among quite a few others. The day is even capped off with a networking reception featuring Snoqualmie Winery, Fish Brewing Company and Honest Tea. For a full program of Go Green Seattle, check out their website at seattle.gogreenconference.net.

With ticket prices maxing out at $195 for individual registration, it’s obvious that this conference is directed at pretty well established business owners who are likely feeling the pressure to turn a green leaf to remain marketable, particularly in such a competitive economy. Small business owners, who likely have significantly less in terms of economic resources, might feel left out. This is sadly ironic, as it is those independently owned small businesses that are more likely to do well in terms of environmentally conscious business practices. Maybe that’s the point though. The big corporations and businesses need the good, green publicity that attending an event like this would give them. At the very least, it would be a show of good intentions. And who knows, something they hear might really stick.

If you’re interested in making your business as sustainable as possible and “ensuring the green line is as relevant as the bottom line” then this is most definitely a conference you won’t want to pass up on.

Go Green Seattle 2010 Conference Details

Date: Wednesday, April 21, 2010 – 7:30 am to 5:00 pm followed by networking reception.
Location: 3rd Floor of the LEED Silver Certified Seattle Hyatt at Olive 8
1635 8th Avenue Seattle, Washington, 98101