Agenda
(click on the links below for more information)

7:15am Registration

8:00am Welcome

8:15am Opening Remarks: Scott Hassett, Secretary, Department of Natural Resources 

Listen to Secretary Hassett's Opening Remarks

8:30am   Green Tier Panel – Moderated by Mark McDermid, Director, Bureau of Cooperative Assistance. Wisconsin DNR, USEPA and Communities are working together to:

• Differentiate superior performers;
• Build incentives that work on the local, state and federal levels; and
• Engage communities in ways that build lasting business value.

Learn about the straightforward and manageable process to participate in Green Tier and Performance Track and explore ways to effectively engage stakeholders while creating economic value.  Panel members include:

• Mary Schlaefer Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Executive Assistant to the Secretary
• Norm Niedergang – United States Environmental Protection Agency – Region 5, Assistant Regional Administrator for Resources
• Steve Skavroneck – Environmental Policy and Community Involvement Consultant

Listen to the Green Tier Panel Audio
View Mary Schlaefer's PowerPoint presentation

9:15am  Keynote Presentation:  From Here to  Sustainability:  The Profit and Potential of Environmentally Responsible Business Practices -- Joel Makower, is an award-winning writer, speaker and consultant on sustainable business and clean technology and has helped companies such as GE, Clorox, General Motors, Hewlett Packard and Procter & Gamble align environmental responsibility with business success.   He is also founder of "The Green Business Letter" an award-winning monthly newsletter on business and the environment, and the Green Business Network, which produces Green Biz.com, ClimateBiz.com and GreenerBuildings.com. 

Listen to Joel Makower's Keynote Presentation

10:00am  Panel Roundtable:  Moderated by Tom Still, President, Wisconsin Technology Council: Leaders from industry, EPA, finance, and the building and development association will respond to Joel’s message, discuss their Green Tier and related innovations and share lessons learned.  Panel members include:

• John Torinus -- CEO Serigraph
• Leon Church -- Chairman, WI Development Council, President Sweetwood Builders
• Karen Klimas -- Global Environmental Health & Safety Manager, GE Healthcare
• Scot Wall -- President, Bank of Cashton
• Chuck Kent -- Director of the EPA Office of Business and Community Innovation

Listen to the Panel Roundtable Audio

10:45-11:00am Break

11:00am  Breakout Sessions:  "In what ways might we achieve better environmental outcomes while adding business value?   Working groups will identify the values, innovative ideas, actions and incentives which support economic and environmental goals.

12:45pm  Lunch and Program:  WEI 10^th Anniversary recognition program and panel discussion:  A Green Brand for Wisconsin? 

A key objective in support of a Green & Growing economy is to create a culture of eco-innovation in Wisconsin.  This session will explore the potential for a "green company" benchmark and brand for the state, a business climate that attracts clean jobs and investment and furthers our state's long tradition of environmental stewardship.  Panel members include:

• Tom Still, President, Wisconsin Technology Council and co-author of the recently released book titled Hands on Environmentalism.
• Joel Makower, is an award-winning writer, speaker and consultant on sustainable business and clean technology.
• John Torinus, is CEO of Serigraph and has written about the need for a “green” brand in Wisconsin that reflects our new environmental and economic collaboration
• Brian Clark, is Editor for WisBusiness -- Wisconsin’s Business News Source.  WisBusiness has hosted leadership forums on branding ideas for the state.
• Carolynn Leaman, Department of City Development and former Land Development Officer, V.P. for Milwaukee Economic Development Corp.

Listen to the Lunch Program Audio

2:30pm  Adjourn