Conference 2011

The 5th annual Building Green Communities conference will be at the Arcata Community Center, Saturday April 2nd. It’s free and open to the public, rain or shine. This year’s theme is the “Next Generation.” We will focus on youth and the next generation of innovators and entrepreneurs. There will be workshops, expo/tradeshow, a parade, dinner, and much more. Sponsors, exhibitors, coordinators and volunteers are invited to get involved and help make this the best event yet.

This year is sure to be bigger and better than ever! The event will include the Trade Show with over 45 booths, a Kid’s Zone, over 12 hours of workshops and demonstrations, the first Farmers Market of the year, the Humboldt Electric Vehicle Association, the Kinetic Electric Samba Parade (at noon), a 4-H Petting Zoo, the Time Tunnel, a Silent Auction, outdoor food vendors, dinner (for $10) at 5pm and keynote address at 6:30 about social entrepreneurs by David Hopkins and much more.

The parking lot will be crowded to overflowing. Please consider walking, rolling or carpooling. There will be valet parking for bikes and we will give raffle tickets to those that don’t drive.

Seating for dinner this year will be limited to 300. Please reserve your ticket by registering here.
https://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/eventReg?llr=biefsxdab&oeidk=a07e39q5cpy5f2156cc&oseq=

The 2011 Conference Program has arrived! Skim through it by clicking on the link below.
https://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/eventReg?llr=biefsxdab&oeidk=a07e39q5cpy5f2156cc&oseq=

Each year we choose a different theme to focus our attention on. This year the theme is The Next Generation.

“The Next Generation”

Plan It Green’s Fifth Annual Building Green Communities Conference and Expo/Tradeshow, April 2, 2011

at the Arcata Community Center,
321 Community Park Way Arcata, California

Conference Presentations Will Include:

• Humboldt County’s Green Building Program: Plan It Green and Redwood Coast Energy Authority have developed a Green Building Program for Humboldt County. This workshop will take you on a tour of the website and explain how to get the most out of the program. This workshop will provide valuable information to building contractors and home owners.
• Renewable Energy Secure Community: The Schatz Energy Research Center and RCEA will present the preliminary findings of their DOE funded study. The goal of their study is to determine the feasibility and logistics of satisfying Humboldt County’s energy demands with renewable energy resources. The finding of this study could serve as the basis for huge green economic development projects for the Next Generation of Humboldt County residents.

• Smart Meters are coming: PGE will be swapping out your old meter with a Smart Meter within the next couple years. This panel discussion will explore the pros and cons of this new electrical metering system.

Other Activities that Will Occur at the Conference:

• First Farmers’ Market of 2011: The Northcoast Growers Association will kick off their 2011 season at the Plan It Green Conference. Farmers will set up in the parking lot at the Community Center and get you thinking about the coming spring season.
• Electric Kinetic Samba Parade: A celebration of technology, arts, culture, and music in the parking lot at noon. Bring your kinetic sculpture, electric vehicle, bike, and drum and join in the festivities.

• Expo/Tradeshow: The Expo/Tradeshow has become one of the most popular parts of the event. Exhibitors and vendors from around the County will display their green goods and services. It is a great opportunity to talk to the professionals in a relaxed and informal atmosphere. There will also be a number of nonprofits and student groups there to describe their programs and recruit new members.
• Time Tunnel: You can’t predict the future but you do create it. What will the future be like? The first step in creating something is to visualize what it is. Take a trip through the Time Tunnel and describe what you want to see. Help us gather your ideas and visions to create a greener future.
• Silent Auction: There will be a silent auction at the conference. Tons of local goods and services will be available. The proceeds will go into the Plan It Green Teen scholarship fund that will help the Next Generation create the future.
• Humboldt Electric Vehicle Association (HEVA): HEVA will have all their finest on display. Bring your own electric vehicle for VIP parking at the event.
• The Barnyard Petting Zoo: Humboldt County 4-H is alive and well. The Barnyard Petting Zoo is a great opportunity for kids to get up close and personal with chickens, goats, and other barnyard animals in a controlled setting.
• Bicycle Maintenance and Repair: Professional bicycle mechanics will be on hand all day to make adjustments and minor repairs to your bike.
• Bicycle Valet Parking: Now you won’t have to find a tree or a post to tie up your ride. Valet parking will be available to all riders.
• Carbon Neutral and Zero Waste Event: We are trying to reduce the environmental footprint of this conference. Help us by walking, riding your bike, taking the bus, or car pooling. For those that wish to offset the carbon dioxide they generate getting to the event; we will estimate your tonnage and you can sequester it by purchasing carbon credits from the Arcata Community Forest.

• Kids Zone: There will be a Kids Zone in the Exhibition Hall. Educational and inspirational activities designed for kids between about two and eight will be available.
• Local Dinner: We will serve a simple, nutritious, scrumptious, and local buffet dinner this year before the Keynote Address. We are asking people to make reservations so we can plan appropriately. Dinner will be $10/plate but there are ways for youth to earn their dinner.

Keynote Address

The Keynote address will be delivered by David Hopkins, a young social entrepreneur who is part of a world-wide movement to solve our most pressing social and environmental problems through innovation. Doing well by doing good. Check out this YouTube video of David to see what is in store. There will also be more information about David and the Social entrepreneurship posted soon.



~ Click on image to see it full size ~

Tentative Schedule:

The schedule will be updated pretty often, right up to the event.

Directions

The Arcata Community Center is located south of Humboldt State University and East of the freeway, just north of Samoa Blvd.


View Larger Map

Get Involved

See the Plan It Green conference updates and other events and learn about volunteer opportunities on Facebook.

Volunteer: The Next Generation needs us to do our part in making the world a more economically, healthy, and a sustainable-planned place to live. Coordinator positions and general positions still need to be filled.

Email ty@humboldtplanitgreen.org or call the Plan It Green office at (707) 497-8637. Meetings are held at the Arcata Technology Center, 1385 8th Street, Arcata, CA 95521, near the corner of 8th and M. See map.

Be a Sponsor and/or Exhibitor

Interested in being a sponsor and or an exhibitor at this year’s conference?

Benefits of Being a Sponsor or an Exhibitor:

• Sponsors logos and web addresses are posted on our website, in the conference brochure and other promotional materials.
• Exhibitors and Vendors will see and be seen by over a thousand potential customers.
• Your support allows Plan It Green to continue to offer this event for free to the public.
• This year’s event is aimed at the youth. Your participation shows them that you are making an effort to pass down this valuable way of living to the “Next Generation.”

Contact Ty Kearns, coordinator of the sponsorship drive and tradeshow, at ty@humboldtplanitgreen.org or contact him at the office at 707-497-8637.



Thanks to Our Sponsors

The fifth annual conference is made possible by the generous support of our sponsors and our exhibitors.

Plan It Green wants to again thank last year’s sponsors for their financial support in making the 4th annual Building Green Communities Conference, “Local Self-Reliance,” an absolute great success, again thank you.