The Business of Green Media Conference

January 24, 2008, San Luis Obispo, California

Highlights from a Successful Launch!

Robert Tapella, U.S. Printer, and keynote speaker receives plaque from Harvey Levenson, head of the Graphic Communication Deprtment, Cal Poly.

Crowds networking during morning break.

Speakers had many opportunities to ask questions of panelists.

Attendees listened to discussions and presentations.

Don Carli, Conference Keynote, talking about building sustainable supply chains.

Press Release:

The Business of Green Media Conference Draws Attendees from Across the U.S. and Europe

Overview

One of the most important issues facing the graphic communication industry today is sustainability. This full day event will focus on what the graphic communication industry is doing, and can do, to take a leadership role in addressing issues related to sustainable* business practices. "The Business of Green Media," will bring together thought leaders on the production of sustainable media and the associated business challenges and opportunities that face the graphic arts community and those involved in media production.

This is one of the most relevant and urgent opportunities. Come up-to-speed on sustainability
efforts that can:

Increase business.
Increase profits.
Reduce costs.
Demonstrate a sense of social responsibility.
Enhance your brand.

View event website: grci.calpoly.edu/sustainability.html

Conference Details
Who Should Attend

Conference Sessions
Registration

Conference Speakers

Conference Details

The Conference will begin at 8:30 a.m. on the 24th and culminate that evening with a banquet. The Honorable Robert C. Tapella, Public Printer of the United States will be the keynote speaker.

Conference Location: Performing Arts Center Pavilion, Cal Poly State University, San Luis Obispo

Banquet Location: Embassy Suites, 333 Madonna Road, San Luis Obispo 805 549 0800

Who Should Attend

All those in the graphic arts field, including printers, publishers, packaging companies, advertising agencies, graphic designers, web developers, equipment manufacturers, paper companies, supply vendors, print and media buyers, educators and students.

Conference Sessions

7:30 – 8:00 | Continental Breakfast

8:00 – 8:15 | Opening Remarks | Dr. Harvey Levenson

8:15 – 8:45 | Keynote Presentation | Donald Carli, Senior Research Fellow, The Institute for
Sustainable Communication

Sustainability, Climate Change and the Evolution of Greener Graphic Communication Supply Chains

The challenges presented by climate change and sustainability are real and cannot be ignored. Sustainability is a long-term global trend… not a fad, and there is no “silver bullet” solution. For a variety of reasons the sustainability of graphic communication supply chains is of growing interest to designers, buyers, producers and suppliers of print and other communications media.

This session is an overview of key concepts, trends, myths and issues pertaining sustainability, climate change, cradle-to-cradle design, lifecycle analysis and carbon footprinting that make the creation of sustainable communications an “all hands on deck” drill that is unlikely to dissipate.. It will provide you with insight into the energy and environmental “footprint” of communication media; the geopolitical and market forces at play; as well as key legal, regulatory and ethical frameworks driving major brands, government agencies and others to change their graphic communication purchasing criteria to include sustainability metrics.

9:00 – 10:00 | Session 2 | Panel Discussion

The Business Case for Sustainable Communication Practices

New approaches to how energy, materials and people are employed need be adopted in order to address the challenges of climate change and sustainability. Barring regulatory pressure or legal mandates only a minority will be motivated by moral or ethical imperatives.

For sustainable production and consumption of communication media to become mainstream it will be necessary to make the business case for how investments in environmental and social performance improvements can reduce risk, create value and drive bottom line results.

This panel will explore how investors, advertisers, printers and other stakeholders in the communication supply chain are making the business case for sustainable business practices in the use of print and digital media.

10:00 – 10:15 | Break

10:15 – 11:15 | Session 3 | Panel Discussion

Greener Expectations: The New Normal

With the business case for sustainable communication supply chain practices becoming harder to ignore and the prospects of climate change legislation taking effect in California and elsewhere, leading brands are implementing new vendor qualification criteria and new product evaluation scorecards looking at carbon footprints, energy use, recycling, sustainable fiber sourcing, chain of custody and various other certifications.

This panel of supply management professionals will discuss how expectations are changing and present examples of how the development of new sustainability guidelines and scorecard performance metrics will shape the demand and supply for print and other communication media in the years ahead.

11:30 – 12:15 | Session 4 | Panel Discussion

Bringing Greenery into The Mainstream

Over the past decade suppliers a number of the leading brands in the graphic communication industry have been quietly applying the principles of sustainability to their internal business practices, and to their supply chain decisions. But during the past year manufacturers of paper, ink, printing systems and IT have begun to bring greener products, processes and marketing messages into the mainstream.

This panel will give the sponsors of this conference an opportunity to discuss the challenges they see ahead and highlight the ways in which designers, buyers, print service providers, educators, students and other stakeholders can work with them to co-create a sustainable future for the graphic communication industry.

12:15 – 1:30 | Lunch and Exhibits

1:30 – 2:15 | Session 5 | Panel Discussion

As California Goes, so Goes the Nation on Climate Change and Air Quality

California is a bell weather state when it comes to sustainability, air quality management and climate change. Governors and Mayors’ associations are focusing on business practices related to energy, emissions, waste and other key issues related to sustainability. Offset lithographers, screen printers and large format printers employ inks, solvent, coatings and adhesives that result in emissions. With the passage of the California Global Warming Solutions Act (AB32) and new regulations pertaining to VOC emissions, printers in California face a direct challenge to business as usual as well as new opportunities to innovate and lead the nation.

This panel of printers and regulatory professionals will discuss how print service providers can address new and emerging regulatory compliance issues as well as market-based voluntary programs addressing energy conservation, air quality, greenhouse gas emissions reporting and the carbon footprinting of communication products and services.

2:30 – 3:15 | Session 6 | Panel Discussion

Cutting through fog of green marketing claims and the alphabet soup of certifications.

There has been a boom in the number of brands making green marketing claims. In addition there has been a corresponding growth in the number of eco-labels and certifications in the market place today with prospects for many more in the years ahead.

This panel will help participants sort through the various environmental certifications that are relevant to communication supply chains, understand the different types of eco-labels, identify “greenwash” and verify the relevance and credibility of green marketing claims.

3:15 – 3:30 | Break

3:30 – 4:15 | Conference Wrap Up

Conference Chair Don Carli, joined by a representative group of media supply chain stakeholders, will discuss key aspects of developing a sustainability policy, and review the tools, strategies and resources that you can put to work immediately, followed by Q&A with the audience.

Each attendee will receive a certificate of participation suitable for framing noting that the person/company recognizes the importance of sustainability, is implementing (or has implemented) sustainability programs, and by doing business with them, you are supporting sustainability and overall environmental protection.

A Sustainability Reception and Banquet featuring The Honorable Robert C. Tapella, Public Printer of the United States, will follow the conference at the Embassy Suites Hotel in San Luis Obispo.