Press Release: 2009 Mountain Green Sustainability Conference on June 24
Date Posted: 6/16/2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Registrations are still available for the 2009 MOUNTAIN GREEN SUSTAINABILITY CONFERENCE, to be held from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on June 24 at Warren Wilson College, just east of Asheville. The third annual event features presentations, discussions and tours on sustainability and going green, targeting homeowners, business and industry. Following the conference is a free evening program with environmentalist and NASCAR driver, Leilani Münter (pronounced Lay-Lonny MOON-ter), also known as “Carbon Free Girl.”
Conference-goers will choose from among more than 40 presentations during the day, including those related to green architecture, landscaping and interior design, and the economics and financing of going green. There will also be segments of particular interest to professionals in tourism, development, real estate and manufacturing. Speakers include an array of local and regional experts, plus the following nationally recognized professionals:
· Beth Sinnott of Quaintance-Weaver Restaurants & Hotels, which built and operates Greensboro's Proximity Hotel, the first in the hospitality industry to be awarded LEED Platinum certification by the U.S. Green Building Council, the highest available designation for green, energy efficient and high performing buildings.
· Simon B. Rich, who was profiled in an April 14 article in the Triangle Business Journal regarding a technique his company developed to convert garbage into a fuel to offset a power plant’s use of coal.
· Robyn Griggs Lawrence, editor-in-chief of Natural Home, a magazine focused on sustainable home design and materials, earth friendly décor and natural lifestyles, leading sessions on sustainable purchasing principles and on green interior design options.
In addition to the educational sessions, the $100 registration fee also includes a box lunch of all locally produced and prepared food, and a business showcase of sustainable products and services (see list of vendors following this press release). After the conference, beginning at 5 p.m., the business showcase will be free and open to the public. There will also be a local food market with everything from fresh vegetables to locally made Lusty Monk Mustard.
The evening program starts at 6 p.m. with music by the blues band, Skinny Legs and All, which is also free and open to the public with limited seating at Warren Wilson Chapel. From 7 to 8:30 p.m., Leilani Münter will speak about her mission to encourage professional racecar driving and its fans – the number one spectator sport in the country – to go green. She adopts an acre of rainforest for every race she runs to offset her carbon footprint and has been a long time vegetarian and environmental activist.
With a B.S. degree in Biology specializing in Ecology, Behavior and Evolution from the University of California San Diego, Münter’s racing accomplishments have landed her on the pages of USA Today, Glamour, Vogue, Vanity Fair, Men's Journal, Washington Post, Esquire and Sports Illustrated, as well as on ESPN and National Public Radio. She also serves as a stunt double for actress Catherine Zeta-Jones. (See more here: http://leilanimunter.com/)
To register and for more information about the 2009 MOUNTAIN GREEN SUSTAINABILITY CONFERENCE, including a conference schedule, visit www.mountaingreenwnc.org. Information is also available from conference organizer, Phillip Gibson: 828-771-3781.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT
2009 MOUNTAIN GREEN SUSTAINABILITY CONFERENCE
SPONSORS
AdvantageWest Economic Development Group, Ambient Design Group, Robert J. Deutsch P.A., The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa, Equinox Environmental, Handmade in America, Blue Moon Water, Progress Energy and Roberts and Stevens P.A.
ORGANIZERS
The conference is a project of the Environmental Leadership Center at Warren Wilson College. The event is chaired by attorney Robert J. Deutsch, with a steering committee that includes representatives from: AdvantageWest Economic Development Group, Ambient Design Group, Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce, Asheville Board of REALTORS, Asheville Convention & Visitors Bureau, Asheville Home Builders Association, Build it Naturally, Builder Architect Magazine, Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority, Community Foundation of Western North Carolina, Council of Independent Business Owners, Civil Design Concepts, Economic Development Coalition for Asheville-Buncombe County, Equinox Environmental, Handmade in America, Warren Wilson College.
VENDORS AT SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS EXPO
Ambient Design Group, Appalachian Antique Hardwood, AquaPro Solutions, Beaver Associates Inc., Biopro Technology, Build It Naturally, Brame Specialty Co. Inc., Build Smart Alliance, Carolina Raptor Center, City of Asheville, Dixon Hughes, Earthpaint Inc., Eco Panels, Equinox Environmental, Energy Ace Inc., First Light Solar Energy, Green R Inc., Green Smart Interiors, The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa, Handmade in America, Home Energy Partners, If Its Water & More Inc., Living Roofs Inc., Mathews Architecture P.A., New Leaf Historical Woodwork LLC, Sun Stuff Energy & Solar Contracting Services, Sustainable Woods, T.S. Designs, VandeMusser Design, Westall Chandley, Windspire - Blue Sun Renewable Energy, WNC Green Building Council, WNC Professional Engineers & Surveyors.
MEDIA CONTACT: KATHI PETERSEN
828.712.1286 or kpetersen@awnc.org
PHOTOS OF LEILANI Münter available upon request.
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Testimonial
In an effort to respond to the diverse economic development needs of North Carolina, then State Representative Martin Nesbitt introduced legislation creating the regional economic development partnerships. It was this extraordinary insight that allowed AdvantageWest to become one of the most innovative and nimble economic development programs in the state.
Gordon S. Myers
Founding Chair
AdvantageWest Board of Directors
Amanda Baranski
, Exec. Asst./ Asst. Corp Secretary
AdvantageWest
134 Wright Brothers Way
Fletcher, NC 28732
ph. 828-687-7234
fx. 828-687-7552
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