September 14, 2012; 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
When Green Meets Black: How Sustainability Creates Profitability for Business
4:30 – 6:00 p.m. Bill McKibben speaks on 350: The Most Important Number in the World
U of M Rackham Graduate School
915 E. Washington St., Ann Arbor, MI 48091
Southeast Michigan Sustainable Business Forum, EarthShare Michigan, and the Erb Institute are partnering to bring a full day of event programming. Industry experts participate in panel discussions on topics including: Energy Efficiency, Profitability, Building Employee and Brand Loyalty, and Government’s Role. Bill Birchard, guest speaker and author of Merchants of Virtue, the story of Herman Miller Inc.’s journey to sustainability, will speak on Solving the Prickly Question of Sustainability. For more information, and to receive the WMSBF discounted cost of $50.00, go to http://www.smsbf.org/events/when-green-meets-black-a-sustainable-business-symposium/.
To register please visit the registration page.
October 8, 2012; 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
West Michigan Corporate Social Responsibility Conference: Creating an Impact
Amway World Headquarters Auditorium
7575 Fulton Rd. E., Ada
Key Note Speakers: Neil C. Hawkins, Sc.D., Vice President, Sustainability & EH&S, The Dow Chemical Company and Jim Musial, Vice President Global QA, Wolverine World Wide.
The conference will bring together a variety of West Michigan business and community leaders to explore the spectrum of social impact practices and strategies across a spectrum of business sizes and sectors.
The 2012 West Michigan Corporate Social Responsibility Conference, jointly sponsored by Cascade Engineering, Amway and the West Michigan Sustainable Business Forum, will highlight successful practices by West Michigan companies and provide expert insight into how to move through this new area of growing business importance.
Final agenda and registration information coming soon.
SAVE THE DATE: Monday, August 13, 2012; 8:00 a.m. scramble.
New location this year – Stonewater Country Club in Caledonia, http://www.stonewatercc.com/.
We are also looking for SPONSORS for this fun and worthwhile event. The Go Green Golf Outing is a scholarship fundraiser designed to raise $5,000 in order to encourage college/university students to integrate sustainability into their particular discipline. Your Sponsorship will help ensure we reach our goal!!
Questions? Contact Lisa Locke, 616.914.1597, llocke@wmsbf.org.
Events May 14-18, 2012 Active Commute WeekThe Greater Grand Rapids Bicycle Coalition (GGRBC), West Michigan organizations and businesses are coming together to support employees and their families in taking an active approach to their daily commute. The inaugural Active Commute Week, offered in conjunction with the nationally recognized “Bike to Work Week,” highlights a number of ways in which West Michigan residents can improve their health and wellbeing, save some money and live a little greener.
Participating organizations throughout West Michigan will be offering cycling 101, free tune ups, organized rides and commuter rally stops throughout the week providing education and support for beginner and seasoned riders alike. The week concludes on May 18th with the “ACT LIVE!” celebration event from 4:30-7:30 p.m. at The RAPID central station featuring award presentations, live bands, food, vendors and free bike tune ups!
WMSBF Members…take the Active Commute Week Challenge! Employees track their daily forms of alternative transportation online and compete against other organizations to win daily prize drawings and vie for the Active Commute Week Challenge Trophy! There is no cost to participate. Companies interested in joining the corporate challenge or looking for more information please email welintrn@gvsu.edu prior to May 10.
May 15-19, 2012 – SAVE THE DATES
10th Annual BALLE Business Conference – Real Prosperity Starts Here
Grand Rapids
Real Prosperity Starts Here is proud to be held in Grand Rapids, Michigan, named ‘America’s Greenest City’ by Fast Company magazine. “As home to nationally acclaimed BALLE network and conference cohost, Local First West Michigan, Grand Rapids has put apathy, malaise and economic decline on the ropes, and you don’t want to miss the final round.”
Join more than 700 of the world’s most innovative community leaders, entrepreneurs, independent business owners, policymakers, economic development professionals, funders and investors. Hear presentations from over 50 of North America’s top local innovators. Take advantage of interactive sessions, peer networking, workshops, tours & parties. For registration, and more information, visit http://www.livingeconomies.org/node/687.
Michigan Green Chemistry Governor’s Awards
The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality is accepting nominations for the fourth annual Michigan Green Chemistry Governor’s Awards, which recognize advances that incorporate the principles of green chemistry or that promote activities that support or implement those technologies. Entries must be sent no later than July 20. The awards will be presented at the 2012 Michigan Green Chemistry and Engineering Conference: “Driving Sustainable Manufacturing,” which is scheduled Oct. 26 at Wayne State University.
