2011 Conference

FREE RAFFLE and display of books about Community Sustainability:

• Alternative Urban Futures
• Emerald Cities:  Urban Sustainability and Economic Development
• Fostering Sustainable Behavior
• The Liveable Neighborhood
• The Natural Step for Communities
• The Sustainable Learning Community
• Toward Sustainable Communities
• The Transition Handbook

TICKET FEE covered exhibitors, speaker sessions, roundtable discussions, coaching and technical support, book raffle, continental breakfast and lunch.

GREEN EVENT FEATURES
Selected local/organic food and/or beverage items
Reusable dishware and linens (no disposable papers/plastics)
Reduced materials
Carbon offset by www.LiveCooler.org
Ridesharing information www.viamerge.com

THE SPEAKERS

KEYNOTE Presentation  8am-9am
Mark Sylvia Commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (MA DOER).  Mark was a Town Manager in Plymouth and the first Director of the MA DOER Green Communities Division.
Jim Walker Director of Solar Grid-Tie Projects at Ameresco.  His projects include the first municipal solar PV Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) inMassachusetts for the 500 kW system in the City of Newburyport.  Jim is on the board of MIT’s Enterprise Forum.
Mary Jordan Director of Agricultural Development at the MA Department of Agricultural Resources, oversees farm to table initiatives such as MassGrown.

SESSIONS 9:15am-10:30am
What is Community Sustainability? Common criteria for sustainable communities exist but each community has unique features.
Peter Lowitt  FAICP, Director, Devens Enterprise Commission
Margarita Iglesias  Professor of Sustainable Communities at Boston Architectural College, Master’s in Architecture from Harvard School of Design
Rob Howe  Practice Leader in Sustainability and Climate Change, Energy Resources Management  Inc.

Municipal Energy – Best Practices  Narratives and case studies describe exceptional best practices in three municipalities.
Joe Piantedosi  Director of Plant and Facilities, Town of Andover
John Odell  Energy and Conservation Manager, City of Worcester

Marketing Strategies to Affect Change  Initiatives and case studies for marketing at the local level can teach us a lot.
Laura Orfanedes  Principal of The Cadmus Group who oversees Massachusetts Mass Save
Dona Neely  Director of the Devens Eco-Efficiency Center
Susan Dobscha  Associate Professor, Marketing Department, Bentley University

Land Use and Transportation Choices  Lots of land is used for transportation. Learn about alternatives, vibrant communities & more.
Emily Torres  Regional Liaison, Metropolitan Area Planning Commission (MAPC)
Jerry Van Hook  Friends of the Lexington Bikeway
Jennifer Solomon  Marketing, MassRides

SESSIONS 10:45am-noon
College Programs that Impact Local Sustainability Innovative programs address energy and sustainability in communities.
Lance Fletcher  Director of Sustainable Design, Boston Architectural College
Julia Ledewitz  Sustainability and LEED Coordinator, Department of Facilities:  Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
Tom Montagno Director of Natural Resources Program, Mount Wachusett Community College
Susan Jennings  Director of the Office of Campus and Community Sustainability, UMass Dartmouth

Green Community Grant Programs and Beyond  Learn about the MA DOER Green Communities Program, best practices and future plans.
Meg Lusardi  Deputy Director, Green Communities Program, MA Department of Energy Resources (DOER)
Paul Marquis  Salem Energy Manager and Renewable Energy Taskforce/City Liaison
Chris Mason  Energy and Sustainability Officer, Northampton

Regional, Local and Backyard Sustainable Food Systems
Interest in local & organic foods has grown exponentially in recent years.  Learn from four leading experts.
Jonathan Kemp  President, Organic Renaissance
Julie Rawson  Executive Director and Education Director, Northeast Organic Farming Association
Sara Voiland  Co-Owner of Red Fire Farm, Granby, MA
Bill McGowan  North Atlantic Regional Produce and Floral Coordinator at Whole Foods

Community Organizations:  Local and Online  Learn about the history, resources and results of three leading organizations in Massachusetts.
Tina Clarke  Trainer for Transition Towns
Fred Schlicher  Programs Director, Massachusetts Climate Action Network (MCAN)
Sienna Wildfield  Hilltown Families Founder

SESSIONS 1:30pm-2:45pm
Best Practices in Communities:  Energy, Water, Materials Management, Green Purchasing, Land Use, Transportation, Food, Local Business  Learn about best practices.
Dean Holden  President of Sustainable Sudbury; Committee Member of Sudbury Energy & Sustainability Green Ribbon Committee
Dan Cook  President of Conservation Solutions
Irene Congdon  Mass Recycle Central Municipal Assistance Coordinator

The Economics of Sustainable Development
Resilient communities will rely on green policies, programs and economies.  Lay a foundation for future success with leadership, planning, energy efficiency, local renewable energy generation, education, job creation, transportation, local food, local business, local residential groups, and more.
Henrietta Davis  Vice Mayor of Cambridge
William Martin  Mayor of Greenfield
Kalia Lydgate  Director of Marion Institute’s Green Jobs & Green Economy Initiative, City of New Bedford

Locally-Produced Energy Choices: PPAs and more  Check out a multitude of renewable energy initiatives and installations in Massachusetts Communities.
Carter Wall  Executive Director, Renewable Energy Generation, MA Clean Energy Center
Erin Sweet  Clean Energy Practices, The Cadmus Group
Dave Beavers  Director of Business Development & Public Policy, Borrego Solar

Funding and Technical Assistance  A variety of resources are available to help communities.
Rick Reibstein  Environmental Analyst, Policy & Outreach Manager, Office of Technical Assistance (OTA)
Meg Lusardi  Deputy Director, Green Communities Program, MA Department of Energy Resources (DOER)
Chip Goudreau  Director of Business Development for Guardian Energy Management Solutions

SESSIONS  2:45pm or 3pm to 4pm
(2:45-4pm)  Best Practices in Communities:  Energy, Water, Materials Management, Green Purchasing, Land Use, Transportation, Food, Local Business  Learn about a variety of best practices from key leaders in three communities.
Pat Wojtas  Selectman, Town of Chelmsford
Chris Mason  Energy and Sustainability Officer, Northampton
Peter Nobile  Chair of Concord’s Comprehensive Sustainable Energy Committee

(3-4pm) Exhibitor Showcase  These exhibitors are ready to be resources.  Learn what they can offer your community.
Bill Jackson  Marketing Manager, Marvin & Integrity Doors and Windows
Brian Cassutt  Project Developer, Solar Power Partners
Liam Sullivan  Director of Marketing, Power Options

(3-4pm) Small Businesses Boost Local Green Economies Learn about local businesses with local missions and how they are helping our local green economies.
Paula Keif  Founder of Go Green Web Directory
Brian Kuhn  Co-Founder of Aeronautica Wind
Lisa Raffin  Commercial Projects Manager of Sun Bug Solar

INITIAL POSTING in 2011

1st Massachusetts Sustainable Communities Conference
“Best Practices for Local Sustainability”
April 15, 2011 | Holiday Inn | Marlborough, MA

THE CONFERENCE
Massachusetts is greening its communities.  The Massachusetts Sustainable Communities Conference strives to answer the timely question “What are best practices for local sustainability?” by showcasing experts and exhibitors who provide sustainable community guidance, a forum for stakeholders (government, education, business, community), updates about communities across the state, and networking opportunities.

THE OBECTIVES

• Learn from leading experts about current local best practices and plans for sustainabilty
• Network with local and regional sustainability peers and professionals
• Go home with knowledge and resources for community sustainability

WHO SHOULD ATTEND

• Local Government Staff:  Energy/Sustainability Committees, Facilities, DPW, Purchasing, Conservation/Environment, Planners, Councilors, Selectmen, Economic Developers
• Community Leaders and Members
• Business and Academic Staff
• People Interested in Community Sustainability

THE EXHIBITORS

• State/Local Government Resources
• Businesses Services and Products
• Community Organizations
• College Sustainability Programs

Details at www.MaSustainableCommunties.co

SPONSORS
Many thanks to two premier sponsors:  Ameresco and The Cadmus Group.

THE PRESENTERS
Fifty leading experts from government, education, business and communities.  Details atwww.MaSustainableCommunities.com

CONFERENCE SCHEDULE & TOPICS
7-8a   REGISTRATION, NETWORKING, BREAKFAST						EXHIBITS OPEN   7a-4:30p
8-9a   KEYNOTE SPEAKERS  Mark Sylvia, the newly appointed Commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (MA DOER).  Mark was a Town Manager in Plymouth and became the first Director of the MA DOER Green Communities Division.  Jim Walker, VP and Director of Solar Grid-Tie Projects at Ameresco.  His projects include the first Solar PV Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) in Massachusetts for the 500 KW system in the City of Newburyport.  Jim is on the board of MIT’s Enterprise Forum.
	EDUCATION & COMMUNITY SUSTAINABILITY Gain knowledge from experts describing sustainable community characteristics,college programs that support community sustainability, and best practices in communities.	LOCAL GOVERNMENT What are Green Committees doing in towns and cities across the commonwealth?  Hear about best practices and discover new resources.	LOCAL BUSINESS What’s new in the local business world?  Hear from businesses that driving the local green economy and sustainability.	COMMUNITIES & MORE Learn about land use and transportation, local organizations improving sustainability, and resources to help improve sustainability in your community.	COACHING & TECHNICAL SUPPORT 9:15 -noon
9:15-10:30	What is Community Sustainability?	Municipal Energy Best Practices	Marketing Strategies to Affect Change	Land Use and Transportation Choices
10:45-noon	College Programs that Impact Local Sustainability	Green Community Grant Programs and Beyond	Regional, Local, and Backyard Sustainable Food Systems	Community Organizations: Local and Online
12:10-1:20  LUNCH  Join facilitated roundtables with experts and peers to explore best practices.
	EDUCATION ROUNDTABLE  Facilitator:  TBA Discuss local workforce development at an Education Roundtable	MUNICIPAL ENERGY COMMITTEE ROUNDTABLE Facilitator: Eric Studer Talk with Municipal Energy Committee members about proactive practices and results	SMALL BUSINESS ROUNDTABLE Facilitator:  TBA Join a Small Business Roundtable to discuss local initiatives that succeed	COMMUNITY NETWORKING Facilitator: Dean Holden  Network with Community Neighbors in your region of Massachusetts	COACHING & TECHNICAL SUPPORT  1:30-4
1:30-2:45	Best Practices in Communities: Energy, Water, Materials Management, Green Purchasing, Land Use, Transportation, Food	The Economics of Sustainable Development	Locally-Produced Energy Choices: PPAs and more	Funding Resources and Technical Assistance
3-4	Best Practices in Communities: Energy, Water, Materials Management, Green Purchasing, Land Use, Transportation, Food	Exhibitor Showcase	Small Businesses Boost Local Green Economies	Exhibitor Showcase
7am-4:30pm  NETWORKING

COACHING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE
Sit down with one of 8 sustainability experts at the conference for one-on-one coaching and technical support at no additional charge. Experts are from MA Department of Energy Resources (DOER) Green Communities Program, The Cadmus Group, MA Office of Technical Assistance (OTA), TNZ Energy, Mass Rides, and more.

FREE raffle and display of 6 excellent books about Community Sustainability.

TICKET FEE covers exhibitors, speaker sessions, roundtable discussions, coaching and technical support, book raffle, continental breakfast and lunch.

GREEN EVENT FEATURES
Selected local/organic food and/or beverage items
Carbon offset by www.LiveCooler.org
Ridesharing information www.viamerge.com
Conference ride share page: http://viamerge.com/trvswitch.php?eventid=m330284000

INFORMATION
Full Conference Information at:  www.MaSustainableCommunities.com
Contact:  Jen Boudrie, Conference Director, T 508-481-0569, JenBoudrie@gmail.com

UPDATES
This registration webpage will be updated with details as the conference date nears.