Join us for an interactive day of learning based on the triple bottom line (economic, social, and environmental well-being). Local business owners and community leaders will discuss the successes and challenges they’ve faced in their pursuit of sustainability and provide practical tips for steps to take in your own organization. Sessions will be
geared toward business owners, government officials, and community leaders.  The day's schedule is as follows:

Check-in - 7:30-8:00 AM 

Breakfast Keynote - 8:00-8:50 AM - Making the Case for Local Business

Elissa Sangalli Hillary, Executive Director, and Guy Bazzani, Founder and Chair, of Local First West Michigan will share the results of the first Kent County Local Economic Impact Study and Market Analysis.  Learn why supporting local businesses is imperative to creating prosperous communities.

Morning Plenary - 9:00-9:50 AM - What is Sustainability?

Find out how leaders from local business, government, and academia define, view and practice sustainability in their fields.  Speakers include: John Ebers, Metro Health Hospital; Kelley Losey, Cascade Engineering; Burton Cardwell, The Floor Network; Jose Reyna, City of Grand Rapids; Matt Tueth, Aquinas College.  Moderated by Marylu Dykstra, Sirius Resources.

Announcements & Break - 10:00-10:30 AM

First Breakout Session - 10:30- 11:45 AM - Choose One of the Following Sessions

Maximizing the Benefits of my Local First Membership - Elissa Sangalli Hillary, Local First West Michigan and Katharine Czarnecki, Lansing Area First

How to Set-Up a Local First Organization - Elissa Sangalli Hillary, Local First West Michigan and Katharine Czarnecki, Lansing Area First

Building Social Capital - Dr. Deborah Steketee, Aquinas College

Succession Planning - Speaker TBA

Setting-Up a Cash-Reducing Energy Program - Michael Ford, Choose Renewables a Cascade Engineering Business

Going Green--Purchasing Recycled and Green Products - Laura Rauwerda, Michigan Department of Environmental Quality

Purchasing Local Food - Tom Cary, Greater Grand Rapids Food Systems Council

Lunch Keynote - 12:00-1:30 PM - Patagonia's Journey

In it's 30+ years of business, Patagonia has acheived success by staying true to its core values.  Craig Throne, will share the company's lessons learned along its journey.

Second Breakout Session - 1:45-3:00 PM - Choose One of the Aforementioned Sessions

World Cafe - 3:15-4:15 PM - Bringing it Home

This highly interactive session will help you use the knowledge and ideas gained throughout the day to "bring home" practical applications for your organization.

Networking Reception - 4:15-5:00 PM

Enjoy complimentary hors d'ouerves, beer, wine and soda before heading home.  Don't miss this chance to make connections with you fellow attendees and celebrate lessons learned throughout the day!