Wisconsin DNR/WI Environmental Initiative: Green Tier Advantage 2008 event announced

MADISON, Wis. – DNR Secretary Matt Frank, Commerce Secretary Jack Fischer, Senator Mark Miller, Senator Neal Kedzie and other state government officials, business and environmental leaders will highlight the “Green Tier Advantage” on Monday, Feb. 4 and Tuesday, Feb. 5. 

The event at the Monona Terrace Convention Center in Madison includes a forum and reception on Monday, Feb. 4 and a full-day working session on Tuesday, Feb. 5 to discuss emerging trends and credible ways of achieving real business advantage through environmental leadership. 

The agenda includes:

–         A panel of state agency, business, environmental and legislative leaders on improving environmental and economic cooperation — Moderated by Tom Still, President of the Wisconsin Technology Council, panelists will explore how Green Tier, sustainability and corporate social responsibility are poised to influence the future of Wisconsin‘s businesses and communities.  Conference attendees will have an opportunity to pose questions about some of the major issues confronting the state such as developing energy independence, addressing global warming, protecting the state’s natural resources, and building the state’s capacity to grow in sustainable ways.

–         Unveiling the new communications strategy for Green Tier and the resulting message platform and core communications concept that captures the Green Tier value proposition and story.

–         The Silver Lining in the “Perfect Storm” for Climate Change – a panel moderated by DNR Secretary Matt Frank, will discuss what steps companies could take to green their image, and create value for the bottom line by implementing energy and carbon reduction strategies, and possible ways state government can assist.

–         Using Performance Measures for Making Business Decisions — David Widawsky, Associate Director, Office of Environmental Policy Innovation at USEPA Headquarters will talk about comprehensive efforts underway to integrate business performance metrics, including lean manufacturing, into the work of USEPA and other environmental agencies.

–         Implementing a Communication Strategy for Green Tier, Greening the Supply Chain and Transitioning to More Sustainable Business Practices are additional conference topics.

Other speakers include: Paul Linzmeyer, Chairman of Ecolution, Inc and former President, Bay Towel, Inc.; Dieter Bettinger (invited), Plant Manager, Evonik Goldschmidt Corp;  Jim Armstrong, President, Good for Business communications/marketing firm; Jeffrey Crawford, Attorney General, Forest County Potawatomi Community; Kristine Euclide, Vice President & General Counsel, Madison Gas & Electric Company; Art Harrington, Environmental Lawyer & Partner, Godfrey & Kahn; John Torinus, CEO, Serigraph, Inc.;  John Vrieze, Emerald & Baldwin Dairies, David Treis, V.P. & General Manager, Arandell Corp.; Mike Gromacki, Quality, Safety and Environment Manager, Cook Composites and Polymers Co.; Mike Wendt, Environment, Health and Safety Specialist, 3M; Jim Bradley, President, Home Savings Bank, Madison; Mark Redsten, Executive Director, Clean Wisconsin; Steve Hiniker, Executive Director, 1000 Friends; Ann Beier, Director, Office of Environmental Sustainability, City of Milwaukee; Dan Anderson (invited), Professor, Risk Management and Insurance, School of Business, University of Wisconsin.

The event is open to the public and registration is available at http://www.wi-ei.org/registration/2008Green&Growing.htm.  More information about Green Tier Advantage can be found at www.greentier.wi.gov

The event is sponsored by the Wisconsin DNR in cooperation with the WI Environmental Initiative (WEI).  Other initial sponsors for this event include Madison Gas & Electric, Alliant Energy, WisPolitics.com/WisBusiness.com and Environmental Compliance Systems.   Additional sponsorship opportunities are available by contacting John Imes at jimes@wi-ei.org or (608) 280-0360. 

*Doing Well by Doing Good: Helping business profit economically by doing what’s right for the environment has been WEI’s approach since its founding in 1995.  Program initiatives in green building, business environmental performance and sustainable tourism present forward thinking, innovative ways to create competitive market advantage and help keep Wisconsin – “Green & Growing”.   For more information, please visit www.wi-ei.org.