|
INDIANAPOLIS, IN (May 16th, 2012) - Mayor Greg Ballard welcomes attendees to Indianapolis and the downtown Convention Center for the largest green building conference in the mid-west region. Today is Day 1 of the three day 'Greening the Heartland' Conference organized under the theme 'Building Community'. The conference brings to the city over 80 exhibitors with green building solutions; educational sessions on best practices for greening communities; and an exhibition of projects from the Heartland Region offering Best Practices from the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED Rating certification process.
A host of Sponsors with a focus on sustainability have made it possible for world class keynote speakers Jeremy Rifkin and Charles Fishman to highlight the conference schedule along with other highly acclaimed panelists and presenters. Attendees will select from 12 Morning and afternoon educational sessions. Whether attending to learn more about what it means to be green and not just green washed or to earn a possible 3 continuing education credits per day for the professional credit maintenance programs including AIA and GBCI, the conference captures our attention for Building Community sustainably. Go to www.greeningtheheartland.org for a schedule of each days events. Educational Sessions begin at 8:30 am; Registration begins this morning at 7:00 am and is open through 5:30 for single day, two day, and full conference access.
Today's conference highlights focus on the environment:
7:00 am - 5:30 pm Registration
8:30 am - 5:15 pm Educational Breakout Sessions
8:00 am - 8:00 pm Exhibit Hall Access
8:30 am Opening Plenary introduces our conference host: U.S. Green Building Council's Indiana Chapter. Our current USGBC-IN Chapter BOD Chair Dan Overbey joins the City of Indianapolis Office of Sustainability Director John Hazlett in welcoming the city, the state, and the 12 state U.S. Green Building Council's Heartland Region to Indianapolis, Indiana and Greening the Heartland 2012.
11:00 am Mid-Morning Plenary - Keynote Speaker Charles Fishman, author of " There's Money in the Pipes: The Urgency of Understanding the Value of Water --Now" will be brought on stage by Jim Poyser, Editor, Indiana Living Magazine.
12:15 pm Afternoon Plenaryincludes lunch and continues on the theme of the conference -"Building Community'. Panelists include Ann Mclver (Director. of Environmental Stewardship, Citizens Energy & Water Group); Larry Clemens (Nature Conservancy -Head of Conservancy Programs); John Hazlett (Office of Sustainability, Indianapolis).
5:30 pm - 8:30 pm Opening Night Reception in Exhibitor Pavilion (Conference registration required)
Today is the first day to sign up for GTH 2012 Tours all but the bike tour of The Cultural Trails of Indy are included in the cost of the conference. Attendees must choose wisely from a diverse selection of 4 site visits all promising a first hand look at sustainable solutions in action. There are 4 to chose from all scheduled to depart Friday at 1:00 pm. They all make for a great way to complete the conference experience. Sign-up at the registration area before Friday to ensure access.
Tour A: Butler University, College of Pharmacy and Green Fume Hoods
Tour Guides: Dan Overbey, BDMD, Jim Hill, BSA LifeStructures, Rich Michal, Butler University
The Butler University tour features 4 projects occurring on campus and will have lot to see.
Tour B: Indianapolis City-County Building, Sustainable Upgrades
Tour Guide: John Hazlett, Director of Office of Sustainability
Highlights of the tour follow up on the Mayor's announced upgrades to the City-County Building 2 years ago which are now complete, including energy efficiency, water conservation and renewable energy applications to reduce the City's environmental footprint, making it a model for green building in Indianapolis. Upgrades are expected to decrease overall water consumption by 40 %; decrease energy consumption by 35 %; result in guaranteed savings of $750,000 annually for 15 years
Please Note: for this tour you must arrive a few minutes early as the building does contain a security checkpoint and all guests must participate.
Tour C: The Nature Conservancy (The Efroymson Conservation Center)
Tour Guide: Adam McLane, Director of Operations and Eric Anderson, Architect
The Conservancy's mission is to protect lands and waters that plants and animals need to survive. With our mission and values comes a responsibility to our environment. Thus our new headquarters was designed with sustainability in mind. The building's LEED Platinum certification is pending but all of the efficiencies in water use and energy are in place and operational.
Tour D: The Indianapolis Cultural Trail -This is the bike tour so plan on a workout!
Tour Guides: Kären Haley, Executive Director of the Indianapolis Cultural Trail and Kevin Osborn, Landscape Architect
The Indianapolis Cultural Trail: A Legacy of Gene & Marilyn Glick is a world-class urban bike and pedestrian path that connects neighborhoods, Cultural Districts and entertainment amenities, and serves as the downtown hub for the entire central Indiana greenway system.
For attendees $20 (a $10 discount from regular pricing) takes you on a 2-hour bike ride along The Indianapolis Cultural Trail accompanied by those involved in the design and management of the Trail. The tour will start and end at the Bicycle Garage Indy Downtown, located inside the Indy Bike Hub YMCA at 222 E. Market St., Ste. E101. Please provide your height for proper bike fit.
Questions or for additional information call 1-888-473-2993 | 
