"10 green reasons to attend"

At A.R.E.’s 53rd Annual Convention, several sessions cover the green topics that are foremost on members' minds.

Keynote: LEED for Retail 2009

The U.S. Green Building Council’s pilot LEED for Retail−CI rating system is scheduled to be fully implemented in early 2009. What will retailers need from you to get their store interiors certified? USGBC Retail Sector Manager Justin Doak and Retail Core Committee Member Lisa Russell explain the role of fixtures, materials, visual merchandising products, and other A.R.E.−member goods and services in obtaining LEED points.

Roundtable: Going Green: Getting Started

While industry leaders agree that green is here to stay, many companies are still trying to get a handle on what they need to do. Where can you start? What simple steps can you take? What's the low-hanging fruit? What areas are hindering your firm's progress? Share your company's initial experiences and concerns as you pick up a few tips from peers in this informal discussion.

Roundtable: Green Development: Who's on First

As retailers and designers look to suppliers to provide green products and services, the need for staff expertise is critical. How is it best addressed—an individual solely focused on green, multidisciplinary team meetings? What information do other employees need, and how should it be communicated? Is special training necessary? What benefits will LEED accreditation provide, and should any staff seek this professional credential? Discuss organizing, managing, and educating staff for going green with other members.

Convention attendance open only to A.R.E. members. Click here for Convention details and registration information. Click here for membership information.