U.S. Green Building Council’s Wrap Up of Greenbuild 2009 Conference & Expo

Washington, DC - December 22, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — The year 2009 came to an exuberant close at the U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC) annual Greenbuild International Conference and Expo, held in Phoenix, Ariz. November 11-13, 2009. The more than 27,000 show attendees left with a renewed focus on the future of the green building movement, which will support green jobs and help refuel the economy. Greenbuild is the world’s largest conference and expo dedicated to green building, and convenes the building industry for three days of outstanding educational sessions, renowned speakers, green building tours, seminars and networking events.

“This year’s Greenbuild proved to be an absolute success thanks to the unwavering support of the green building community in attendance at Greenbuild, representing over 78 countries worldwide, to learn, network and be inspired by all that the show has to offer,” said Kimberly Lewis, Vice President, Conferences & Events, USGBC.

USGBC’s President, CEO and Founding Chair, Rick Fedrizzi, kicked off the show at the Opening Plenary Celebration at Chase Field, followed by a rousing keynote by the Honorable Al Gore. Over 11,000 attendees at the event celebrated to the tunes of nine-time Grammy winner Sheryl Crow following the keynote addresses. To view Rick Fedrizzi’s opening keynote, visit http://www.greenbuildexpo.org/openingplenary.aspx, and to read a transcript of the keynote, visit http://www.usgbc.org/Docs/News/GBOpeningplenaryfinal.pdf.

Greenbuild offered a variety of educational offerings, professional development opportunities, inspirational master speaker sessions and an expo hall featuring more than 1,000 exhibitors and 1,800 exhibit booths. Other unique offerings at the show included the second annual Residential Summit, which took place in concert with the re-launch of USGBC’s residential Web site, www.GreenHomeGuide.com, and the first-ever Green Jobs Fair, which hosted 25 green building companies.

In a press conference, USGBC and Booz Allen Hamilton announced the results of its Green Jobs Study, which predicts green building will support or create nearly 8 million jobs between 2009-2013 and will contribute $554 billion to the U.S. gross domestic product.

Also celebrated at this year’s show were the 2009 recipients of the annual Leadership Awards, which recognize companies and individuals who signify a strong commitment to the green building industry. A collection of video footage of the recipients of the 2009 Leadership Awards is also available online at http://www.greenbuildexpo.org/Speakers/archived-videos/2009-videos/closingplenary.aspx.

On the heels of a successful conference and expo, USGBC is currently accepting educational session proposals for the Greenbuild 2010 in Chicago, Ill. November 17-19, 2010. To learn more visit http://www.greenbuildexpo.org/education/education-sessions.aspx To watch all of the master speaker sessions from Greenbuild, including the closing plenary session with Nancy Sutley, Chair of the White House Council on Environmental Quality, visit http://www.greenbuildexpo.org/speakers/archived-videos/2009-videos.aspx

U.S. Green Building Council
The Washington, D.C.-based U.S. Green Building Council is committed to a prosperous and sustainable future for our nation through cost-efficient and energy-saving green buildings.

With a community comprising 78 local affiliates, more than 20,000 member companies and organizations, and more than 131,000 LEED Accredited Professionals, USGBC is the driving force of an industry that is projected to contribute $554 billion to the U.S. gross domestic product from 2009-2013. USGBC leads an unlikely diverse constituency of builders and environmentalists, corporations and nonprofit organizations, elected officials and concerned citizens, and teachers and students.

Buildings in the United States are responsible for 39% of CO2 emissions, 40% of energy consumption, 13% water consumption and 15% of GDP per year, making green building a source of significant economic and environmental opportunity. Greater building efficiency can meet 85% of future U.S. demand for energy, and a national commitment to green building has the potential to generate 2.5 million American jobs.

About Greenbuild
The U.S. Green Building Council’s Greenbuild International Conference & Expo convenes the industry’s largest gathering of representatives from all sectors of the green building movement. Three days of extensive educational programming, workshops, a vast exhibition floor and ample networking events provide unrivaled opportunities to learn about the latest technological innovations, explore new products, and exchange ideas with other professionals. Greenbuild is the three time recipient of IMEX Green Meetings Award. Greenbuild 2009 featured more than 1,800 exhibit booths and more than 27,000 attendees. Visit www.greenbuildexpo.org for more information. To view past years, go to www.greenbuild365.org and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghqw9WqZ_i4.

Contact: Ashley Katz
Communications Manager, USGBC
202.742.3738

Follow us on Twitter at @USGBC

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USGBC - U.S. Green Building Council

HUD - U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

NAR - National Association of REALTOR

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FHFA - Federal Housing Finance Agency

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