USGBC leaders continually take part not just in our own events and gatherings, but in those of our partners and the wider green building industry. As we learn from and inspire one another, we all advance the goals of sustainability, climate justice and net zero. In May, we were fortunate to give keynotes and meet colleagues on both coasts of the U.S.
Learn more about these events in Philadelphia and Los Angeles:
My Green Building Conference and Expo—May 18
During the 2023 My Green Building Conference and Expo (MyGBCE), hosted by USGBC Los Angeles, more than 1,100 attendees were immersed in timely education sessions, networking opportunities, and an expo area that accelerated action for local buildings, communities and climate change. The event featured 12 education sessions and workshops on housing, equitable development, EV infrastructure and nature-based solutions. Keynotes from various sectors highlighted their important work throughout the day and a musical performance by AY Young, a U.N. Youth Leader, made for a lively opportunity to close out the day.
USGBC was proud to be included with Rhiannon Jacobsen, managing director of U.S market transformation and development, as a keynote speaker, helping to kick off the awards ceremony by providing an update on USGBC’s 30th anniversary, the Greenbuild Conference and Expo and priorities such as decarbonization and workforce development. In addition, a keynote was given by Ben Stapleton, executive director of USGBC Los Angeles.
In addition, USGBC exhibited in the main hall of The Beehive, a fitting venue for this event that serves as a business center working to revitalize South Los Angeles by providing economic development, education and job creation to its community members. During the expo, we connected with architects, students, consultants and others on local and national programming and discussed collaboration opportunities with interested attendees. We saw how this year’s event theme, “Build.Connect.Grow,” was implemented by showcasing amazing local leaders and small businesses doing their part in rebuilding their communities and championing Southern California as a more sustainable, resilient and equitable region for all.
Thank you to USGBC Los Angeles for empowering us all to take climate action and providing a platform for organizations and community members to find and forge connections. We look forward to supporting the 2024 event, now rebranded as the California Green Building Conference.
Read more about the event, the awardees and takeaways from USGBC L.A. staff.
Green Building United 2023 Sustainability Symposium—May 24
Green Building United’s annual Sustainability Symposium was another example of strong local programming from leaders pushing for actions that will benefit the greater Philadelphia community in the years to come. For over a decade, the Sustainability Symposium has been the place to gather new connections, timely education and innovative ideas.
Attendees from USGBC were among the 440 people who energized the space at Drexel University and had the ability to interact in 20 sessions delivered by over 70 speakers on topics including energy education in public schools, climate policy in Philadelphia, energy modeling for net zero–aspiring buildings, and challenges and opportunities in decarbonization.
USGBC was prominently situated as a keynote sponsor and exhibitor in Drexel University’s main building, which has historical significance to both the university and the city of Philadelphia, serving as the centerpiece of the campus. We were overwhelmed by the connections we made with attendees and students passing through and looking for more information on how to begin building their careers with USGBC.
Rhiannon Jacobsen provided welcome remarks alongside Green Building United’s executive director, Rich Freeh, to kick off the day. It was an opportunity again to highlight our upcoming events, priority initiatives and the upcoming Greenbuild event in Washington, D.C., just a short train ride away.
USGBC also held a panel session, “Performance at Scale: Achieving Sustainability Goals Across Real Estate Portfolios.” The session highlighted a timely conversation about how individuals and teams are able to verify improvements around environmental performance, equity and well-being at the portfolio scale. We appreciated the invaluable contribution each of our panelists brought to this session: thank you to Dom McGraw, Brad Molotsky, Don Anderson and Anna Malhari for contributing to this excellent program.
We are also grateful to Green Building United for energizing attendees about what’s yet to come and motivating us all to remain optimistic. We have enjoyed being a partner and supporter of this event over the years and look forward to connecting again in 2024.
(posted 7/6/23) This article also appears on USGBC website.
About the Author
As Associate Director of Strategic Stakeholder Engagement at the U.S. Green Building Council, I am responsible for strategically identifying and collaborating with sectors and organizations in an effort to grow involvement for USGBC. With a background in Conflict Resolution, focused on community development work in urban environments I can now be found volunteering with local D.C. organizations providing support to the community. In between work and volunteering I enjoy reading, traveling, and spoiling my dogs. I hold a LEED Green Associate and a TRUE Advisor credential.
