The City of Elgin will host GreenTown: The Future of Community on Thursday, April 28, 2011 at The Centre in downtown Elgin. GreenTown is a one-day event promoting the creation of healthy sustainable communities presented by Seven Generations Ahead, a non-profit organization dedicated to the development of ecologically sustainable communities and a5, a Chicago-based marketing and communications firm.
Situated on the banks of the Fox River, historic Elgin is evolving into a dynamic 21st century city – with a focus on sustainability. Led by Mayor Ed Schock since 1999, Elgin developed a sustainability master plan with consultants, environmental groups and community stakeholders and has been working to make Elgin a healthy, sustainable community through planning, transportation, energy efficiency, green jobs and more.
“We are very proud to host the GreenTown 2011 Event,” said Mayor Schock. “Elgin has made a commitment to being a sustainable community. This event gives us the opportunity to share what we have learned along the way, and to gather new information from other communities and organizations.”
GreenTown will not only focus on Elgin's progress and future, but will also look at ways communities around the Chicago metro area are "going green" and working to create healthy, sustainable communities. Mayors and elected officials, public works directors, park district directors, planners, architects, engineers, landscape architects, developers, builders and remodelers will be among the 300 expected guests.
Randall Arendt, landscape planner, author, lecturer and advocate of “conservation planning,” and Mayor Bob Dixson of Greensburg, Kansas will be among the speakers, detailing their efforts in conservation planning and sustainability. Arendt is the author of more than 20 publications. His latest book, Envisioning Better Communities: Seeing More Options, Making Wiser Choices, was published by the APA and the Urban Land Institute, in 2010. In 2003 he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Town Planning Institute in London, in 2004 he was named an Honorary Member of the American Society of Landscape Architects, and in 2005 he received the American Institute of Architects' Award for Collaborative Achievement. Mayor Dixson is recognized nationally for his work in leading the 'green' rebuilding of his town, Greensburg, Kansas, which was destroyed by a tornado in May 2007. Dixson speaks on how his “green” town is becoming a prototype for communities looking to become more eco-effective and sustainable.
Whether you are part of the public or private sector, at GreenTown attendees will learn, network and get actionable information. Topics of conversation include:
- Healthy food
- Transit-oriented development
- Green building and LEED certification
- Sustainable sites
- Zero waste initiatives
- Community sustainability planning
- Renewable energy and energy
efficiency
- Green jobs
- Financing
GreenTown is sponsored by environmentally conscious organizations including:
Aquinas College, AVA Power, Christopher B. Burke Engineering, Ltd., Davey Tree Experts, Darwill, Inc., Judson University, Pizzo & Associates, Ltd., Recycled Granite, Serosun Farms, Sherman Health, Unilock, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Waste Management. GreenTown's carbon credits are being underwritten by Sustainable Energy Financing. Networking breaks are being underwritten by Elara Engineering.
Partner organizations include the American Institute of Architects – Illinois, American Planning Association – Illinois, Congress for New Urbanism, American Society of Landscape Architects – Illinois Chapter, Midwest Ecological Landscape Association and the United States Green Building Council – Illinois.
The full program, along with pre- and post-conference workshops, will be available soon via the GreenTown web site at www.greentownconference.com. For questions or to inquire about partnerships or sponsorships, contact Charles Colley at 314.9930902 or email ccolley@a5inc.com
