Sustainable YOU Conference set for October 24-25

PRESS RELEASE -- With a primary goal of providing citizens a wealth of information on sustainability issues, Tallahassee will host the 2011 Sustainable YOU conference Oct. 24-25. Sponsored by the City of Tallahassee and Leon County in partnership with Sustainable Florida, the conference will take place at Florida State University's Turnbull Center.

The two-day event will offer attendees nearly 30 workshop sessions under one of four tracks including Leadership Policy, Professionals, Sustainability in Higher Education (Education Alliance for Sustainable Florida - EASF) and Sustainability Grassroots. Workshop presentations on sustainable best practices in both private and public sectors will range from energy and fuel alternatives to green innovations in development, manufacturing, sustainable gardening and even fashion design. An opening night reception, luncheons, green vendors and tours of local sustainable initiatives round out the offerings and provide opportunities for networking.

Tallahassee Mayor John Marks, remarking on the event, stated, “Hosting a conference of this nature in Tallahassee promotes the City’s commitment to sustainability initiatives and offers an opportunity for professionals, policy makers, educators and the community at large to interact and learn.”

The conference provides a direct opportunity for the City to increase its own sustainability portfolio, which includes Mayor Marks’ recognition by OurGreenCities.com as one of the nation’s Top 20 Mayors in promoting sustainability, and the City of Tallahassee’s designation as the first city in Florida to become a Gold Certified Green City.

"We're excited to partner for this event because it puts the sustainable efforts of the County, City and local professionals front and center," said County Commission Chairman John E. Dailey. "Any way in which we can promote best practices brings an added value to the livability and sustainability of our community."

The conference will feature national industry, governmental and institutional sustainability experts for keynote presentations, including:

+ Majora Carter, host of the Peabody Award-winning public radio series The Promised Land and one of Fast Company's Top 100 Creative People in Business;

+ Mayor Bob Dixson, who is leading the sustainably-based recovery of the City of Greensburg, Kansas, after its demolition by a devastating 2007 tornado;

+ Joseph Tankersley’s innovative storytelling approach for goals and visioning; and,

+ a panel discussion on Sustainable Regional Planning in Florida moderated by Cambridge Systematics’ John Kaliski.

Cynthia Barber, director of the City’s Environmental Policy and Energy Resources Department, said, “This conference will showcase a number of sustainable best practices already being practiced by the City as well those being implemented by our community partners.”

Conference fees are $200 ($175 for participants affiliated with a non-profit/government group) and special student rates are also available. The City and County are offering a limited number of scholarships for local residents desiring to attend the conference.

"Partnership opportunities like this conference allow Leon County and the City of Tallahassee to strengthen our continual pursuit of a more sustainable future for this community," said Maggie Theriot, Leon County Sustainability Manager. "The partnership with Sustainable Florida provides conference attendees a platform to learn and share from a broader spectrum and that can only strengthen the knowledge base of all involved in this pursuit."

To register for the 2011 Sustainable YOU conference and to find out more information about scholarship eligibility please visit www.Talgov.com; www.LeonCountyFL.gov; or www.collinscenter.org .