Contacts:
Dana LaFontsee, danalaf@uwm.edu, 414-227-3378
Cathy Prescher, cdp@uwm.edu, 414-227-3143
Message will focus on the business case for sustainability for senior leadership
MILWAUKEE, January 21, 2009 – Senior business leaders will hear strong evidence supporting the business case for sustainability at the “Executive Summit on Sustainable Business: Tackling a Tough Economy with Sustainability Strategies,” from 7:15 am-12:15 pm, on Tue., March 3, 2009, at the UWM School of Continuing Education, 161 W. Wisconsin Ave., 7th floor conference center.
The high-impact program exclusively for leaders in roles such as CEO, President, COO, CFO or Vice President will explore how strategies to improve organizational sustainability can result in competitive advantage and higher profits.
Industry experts and representatives from Wisconsin companies, including David Kohler, executive vice president of the Kohler Co., will present case studies on how their organizations benefit from sustainability strategies that deliver cost reductions, sales growth, energy savings and positive ROI.
Keynote speaker Dr. Bob Willard, former IBM senior manager, sustainability expert and author, will lay out the business case for sustainability. “As companies struggle in a difficult economy, many think that sustainability initiatives will have to take a back seat. Wrong. It is not an either/or situation. Smart sustainability strategies benefit the environment, society, and especially the bottom line.”
A complementary program, “Green Tier Advantage 2009: Sustainability for Wisconsin Businesses,” follows the Executive Summit. Realizing their mutual conviction that sustainably operated businesses strengthen our state, UWM, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and the Wisconsin Environmental Initiative decided to partner in offering these two educational events. Participants who attend both events receive reduced registration fees. The GTA conference runs Tue., March 3 from 2-5 and Wed., March 4, from 8:30 am – 3 pm, also at the UWM School of Continuing Education, 7th floor.
A reception on Tue., March 3 from 5-7 pm, which is included in the registration fees, will provide participants from both programs an opportunity to network with Dr. Willard, event speakers and industry experts.
More information on each event is available at http://www.sce-greensummit.uwm.edu. Registration is available online or by calling 414-227-3200 or 800-222-3623.
About the UW-Milwaukee School of Continuing Education
As one of 12 schools and colleges that comprise the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, SCE meets the needs of participants through an assortment of courses, programs and workshops. With 19,000 participants each year, the School is the largest provider of noncredit continuing education in Southeastern Wisconsin. Its mission is to generate knowledge and learning opportunities for individuals who are interested in developing professional skills in business, technology, and human services, enriching their lives with classes in the arts and humanities, and/or simply looking for a new intellectual challenge.
Executive Summit on Sustainable Business: AGENDA
7:15am – 7:45am | Registration & Continental Breakfast
7:45 – 7:55 | Introductions
Patricia Arredondo, Interim Dean, UWM SCE
Carlos Santiago, UWM Chancellor
7:55 – 8:25 | Sustainability Leader Spotlight: “Leading Kohler’s Commitment to Sustainability”
David Kohler, Executive Vice President, Kohler Co.
8:25 – 9:25 | Keynote: “The Business Case for Sustainability – Even in a Tough Economy”
Bob Willard, MEd, Phd, Former IBM Senior Manager, Author
9:25 – 9:35 | Break
9:35 – 10:15 | “How to Develop Your Sustainability Strategic Plan”
Jeana Wirtenberg, Ph.D., Director, External Relations and Services, Institute for Sustainable Enterprise, Farleigh Dickinson University
10:15 – 10:30 | “Green Tier is Good for Business”
Matt Frank, Secretary, WI Department of Natural Resources (invited)
10:30 – 10:40 | Break
10:40 – Noon | Concurrent Sessions
Session 1: Green Results – Cost Reduction and Business Growth Opportunities
Moderator: Paul Von Paumgartten, Director, Energy and Environmental Affairs, Johnson Controls, Inc.
• “Adding Green to Lean: Cutting Costs by Reducing Resource Waste”
Mike Hablewitz, Wisconsin Manufacturing Extension Partnership &
Jaime Maliszewski, President, Reliable Plating
• “A Culture of Green Operations at ATC”
José Delgado, President & CEO, American Transmission Company
“Lucas-Milhaupt Does Well By Doing Good”
Joseph Mockus, President, Lucas-Milhaupt
• “Greening Your Facilities”
Paul Von Paumgartten, Director, Energy and Environmental Affairs, Johnson Controls, Inc.
Session 2: Energy Strategy
Moderator: Greg Bell, Founder, Sustainable Business Network Wisconsin
• “Energy Policy Update”
Greg Bell, Founder, Sustainable Business Network Wisconsin
• “Understanding your Energy Pricing Structure”
Joe Jacobson, Ph.D., Associate Dean Business & Information Technology & Center for Energy Conservation and Advanced Manufacturing, MATC
• “Resources to Support Your Energy Strategy”
Kathy Kuntz, Director of Energy Programs, Focus on Energy
• “Using Renewables and Alternative Energy Sources”
Don Albinger, Vice President, Renewable Energy, Johnson Controls, Inc.
Noon – 12:15 | Wrap Up
Bob Willard & Patricia Arredondo
