GreenTech@Greenbuild – a recap
Posted: October 7, 2011 by Kendra, Category:Sustainability, events
This year, USGBC and Regenerative Ventures hosted the 1st Annual GreenTech@Greenbuild event. In an effort to increase awareness and accelerate the mainstreaming of emerging disruptive technologies in the cleantech industry, 30 companies were selected to present their solutions for the building industry.
David Gottfried, CEO of Regenerative Ventures, kicked off the event with a recap on the green building industry – where it’s been and where it stands today. He talked about the different phases the industry has gone through – from defining green building (what is it?) to developing/defining LEED to green building education, creating a profession to moving toward net zero buildings. The progression incorporates technology. How do these materials and technologies come together to provide these new buildings? His introduction really showed the importance the companies are to developing the profession.
Chris Pyke, VP of Research for USGBC, talked about the business that USGBC is in – experts in market transformation, with tech innovation and on the ground practice being the two important elements. And again, on the ground practice = projects. And these projects are taking up the technologies represented at the event at an increasing rate.
The takeaway? The industry is transforming the built environment across the globe using these technologies.
Each company had 5 minutes to present their case. Our founder Don McLean spoke about the sustainability hub and how this is contributing to the overall transformation of the market. Don talked about how rewarding it is to help customers realize the benefits of sustainable design, and the efforts we all must take in order to drive sustainable design. (You’ll likely hear Don and the rest of us at IES talking about this in 2012. A lot. So get ready!)
I overheard this yesterday, and thought it was a good way to sum up the event. “This is the future…all the companies here represent the future of green building.”
Couldn’t have said it better myself.
