Greenbuild 2007: Record Breaker

The U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC) Greenbuild Conference & Expo hosted a record number of attendees at its early November event.

As of the conference’s second day, attendance was recorded at more than 20,500, according to the event’s organizers. In addition to a variety of educational sessions and workshops, attendees had access to an exhibit hall of more than 850 companies showcasing their products and services.

Nearly 8,000 people attended the conference’s opening plenary session, where former President Bill Clinton delivered the keynote address. Clinton announced several partnerships between the Clinton Climate Initiative and other organizations to promote green building in schools. (For more detailed coverage of Clinton’s keynote address, follow this link.)

The USGBC also announced the launch of www.Greenbuild365.org, a Web site designed to revamp green building education through global online access.

The site was launched with the support of a $1 million donation from United Technologies Corp.

Greenbuild365.org will feature free and fee-based courses on green building technologies and innovations, along with practical training to prepare professionals to successfully apply LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification to building design, construction and operation.

The USGBC has also announced the re-launch of its own Web site, www.usgbc.org.

The site has been redesigned with a cleaner look and more user-friendly functions, according to the USGBC.

Highlights of the Web site include a resource section designed to make LEED project credit templates more accessible; easier access to online reference guides and LEED reference documents; more resources for members and chapters; a USGBC store to purchase workshop materials and publications; and a more comprehensive listing of educational offerings and workshops.

Greenbuild 2007 was held Nov. 7-9 in Chicago. More information is available at www.usgbc.org.