Zero-waste manufacturing, employee carpooling programs, LEED-certified buildings, office recycling initiatives: what's the payoff for businesses that adopt these environmentally sustainable practices In an upcoming conference presented by UCLA Extension, leaders in entertainment, hospitality, manufacturing and other industries prominent in greater Los Angeles will demonstrate how they incorporate green business practices with positive affects on both the environment and the balance sheet.
The Business of Green: What's the Payoff (http://www.uclaextension.edu/green08) takes place Friday, May 23, 8:15 a.m. to 4:45 p.m., at
the Westin Hotel, 333 East Ocean Blvd., Long Beach, CA 90802. The enrollment fee is $375; $425 on the day of the event, space permitting. On Thursday, May 22, conference attendees may
join the optional tour of the port of Long Beach for an additional $30. The tour of the state-of-the-art, environmentally sustainable seaport lasts from 10 a.m. to noon. Participants will
learn what port officials have done to earn the port the distinction of being one of the most environmentally sustainable shipping facilities in the United States.
"Southern California businesses are leading the way when it comes to developing environmentally sustainable products and services," says UCLA Extension Dean Cathy Sandeen. "The Business
of Green conference is our way of recognizing their achievements and helping others learn how they can get involved."
Keynote speaker Gil Friend, president and CEO of Natural Logic, will present "Profit on Purpose", exploring a radical old approach to business strategy that re-envisions the
risk/opportunity landscape, delivers real business value and charts a course for facing, mastering and profiting from the sustainability challenge.
Other highlights include opening remarks from actor and environmental activist Ed Begley Jr. Long Beach Mayor Bob Foster will deliver a welcome address to the audience. In concurrent
sessions running throughout the day, participants will learn about integrating environmental sustainability into financial statements, green business opportunities for small companies and
entrepreneurs, LEED-certified building practices, clean and green manufacturing, green venture capital and green marketing strategies.
Begley will moderate the Green Giants of the Entertainment Industry panel discussion in which executives from Warner Brothers, Fox News Group and Reel Green Media will discuss the
starring role that the environment is playing in an increasing number of film and television projects, on both sides of the camera.
Insurance, another industry with a strong presence in Southern California, is facing increasing challenges from environmental disasters caused by climate change. In an insurance
industry-focused panel discussion, legal experts and executives from the Fireman's Fund Insurance Company and Lexington Insurance will discuss green business approaches to solving the
problem of global climate change.
Full details and enrollment information for The Business of Green: What's The Payoff are available at www.uclaextension.edu/green08 or
by phone at 310-206-1409.