BOMA International Conference in Denver Goes Green

Sustainability visionaries headline June 23 general session

The Building Owners and Managers Association International has announced that the BOMA International Conference and The Office Building Show, scheduled for June 22-24 in Denver, will be green.

An environmentally friendly convention is in keeping with BOMA International’s green agenda, which includes, among numerous initiatives, the 7-Point Challenge, an energy reduction plan to achieve market transformation in the commercial real estate industry.

A highlight of the conference is the General Session on June 23 featuring a town hall meeting on sustainability called “Market Transformation: Leadership + Operational Excellence=Green ROI.” The discussion will include an in-depth look at how the top leaders in sustainability are setting the bar in reducing energy consumption, implementing green management practices and realizing a positive financial return on their green initiatives now and in the long term, according to BOMA officials.

Panelists include Brenna Walraven, executive managing director of national property management for USAA Real Estate Co. and chairman of BOMA International; Ira Magaziner, chairman of the Clinton Climate Initiative; Rick Fedrizzi, president and CEO of the U.S. Green Building Council; Catherine Greener, vice president of consulting for Saatchi & Saatchi S; and Sally Wilson, global director of environmental strategy for CB Richard Ellis; with broadcast journalist Forrest Sawyer serving as moderator.

The program will kick-off with Marc Gunther, senior writer at Fortune, who will reveal how Fortune 500 companies are embracing the green movement.

“Adoption and implementation of green practices is one of the most important issues in commercial real estate right now, and one in which BOMA has taken a leadership role,” said Walraven. “We felt it was an important step in our market transformation strategy to 'walk the talk' and make all aspects of our convention green as well.”

The overall conference program will focus on the business case for greening existing buildings by teaching specific strategies and technologies to reduce energy consumption and implement green management practices that realize a positive return on investment. Designed by leading experts for professionals at all levels of experience, the education program will feature more than 40 sessions organized around five driver issues: Achieving Sustainability, Enhancing Asset Value, Building a High Performance Team, Optimizing Technology and Exploring New Business Opportunities.

Green programming and resources will also be prominently featured at The Office Building Show, which will feature the Green Pavilion and Energy Star Showcase highlighting ways for property professionals to increase energy efficiency and save money and featuring top suppliers of green and energy-efficient solutions.

For more information on the BOMA International Conference and The Office Building Show, visit www.bomaconvention.org.

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