IN THIS NEWSLETTER: · 2011 Membership Renewal Reminders on the Way · March 2 Exploring Our Energy Future · March 14 WMSBF Meeting – RSVP by Thursday, March 10 · March 16 Supply Chain Management Conference · March 21-23 Renewable Energy Technology Show · March 23 AWMA Annual Conference –Reinventing Michigan · March 30 Green Facilities Conference · April 13 & 14 – 4th Annual Michigan Energy Conference · April 15 – 15th Annual Wege Speaker Series March Membership Meeting Monday, March 14, 2011 :: 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm Grand Rapids Public Library Auditorium Fountain & Library Plaza George Heartwell, Mayor of Grand Rapids, Haris Alibasic, Office of Energy and Sustainability for Grand Rapids, and Michele Buckler, FTCH, will present on Sustainability and Stewardship –An Energy Strategy for Grand Rapids. In 2009, the City completed its first Energy Efficiency and Conservation Strategy through funding from the federal Energy Efficiency Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) program. Through the guidance of the strategy, further EECBF funding, and other improvements, the City of Grand Rapids is accomplishing a number of impressive upgrades that will greatly increase the energy efficiency of the City’s facilities, with significant energy reduction and greenhouse gas emission reduction. Opportunities for mutually beneficial collaboration with the business community will be explored. Alternate transportation strategies are encouraged. Contact Lisa Locke if you would like help in arranging carpooling, llocke@wmsbf.org. Space is limited. If you would like to attend this meeting, you must register by email at info@wmsbf.org by Thursday, March 10. Cost of attending is $10, payable by cash or check at the event. Credit card payments may be made prior to the event through Google here. A $1 additional processing charge is included for credit card payments. 2011 Membership Renewal Reminders on their Way Membership renewals were due February 1. Thanks to all of you who have gotten yours in. Renewal reminders will be sent out over the next week. If you have not received your invoice or have questions on membership, please contact Lisa Locke at llocke@wmsbf.org. Thankyou!! Events Exploring Our Energy Future: Energy Economics Wednesday, March 2, 2011; 7:00-9:00 p.m. Grand Rapids Community College Applied Technology Center 151 Fountain NE, Room 158 The role of reduced energy demand and clean energy jobs in preserving West Michigan wealth. Moderated by Brian Shultz, Grand Rapids Community College; speakers include Arn Boezaart, Michigan Alternative Energy Center; John Sarver, Michigan Wind Working Group; Rick Chapla, The Right Place; Deborah Steketee, AquinasCollege; Haris Alibasic, City of Grand Rapids; Monica Martinez, Michigan Public Service Commission; Julie Parks, Grand Rapids Community College. Presented by West Michigan Environmental Action Council. For more information contact Daniel Schoonmaker at 616.451.3051 or dschoonmaker@wmeac.org. Supply Chain Management Conference: Working Together to Drive Business Growth Wednesday, March 16; 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. GVSU Eberhard Center 301Fulton St. West The Right Place sponsors this conference, which will include leaders from industry, consulting, and academia who will share practical experiences in the areas of economics, growth and innovation, global perspective, leadership and development. Keynote speakers include Thomas Klier, Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, and Michael Vitek, Mercedes-Benz North America. More information at http://www.rightplace.org/. Made in Michigan – Renewable Energy Technology Show March 21-23; 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily Michigan Alternative and Renewable Energy Center 200 Viridian Drive, Muskegon This event will highlight renewable energy technologies and sustainable products that are in production by Michigan-based companies. Guest speaker is Mark Clevey, State of Michigan, Bureau of Energy Systems. For more information, go to www.gvsu.edu/marec or contact KimWalton, waltonk@gvsu.edu. AWMA West Michigan Chapter Annual Spring Conference: Reinventing Michigan – the Environment Wednesday, March 23; 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. GVSU Eberhard Center 301Fulton St. West This conference will feature some of the state-of-the-art industries that are reinventing Michigan as well as guest speakers: CongressmanBill Huizenga – The Future of Environmental Policy Mayor George Heartwell – Prospering in a Sustainable West Michigan Mi DEQ Director Dan Wyant – Environmental Regulation in Michigan MDEQ Division Chiefs will also be presenting and available for questions. On-line registration is available at www.wmawma.org. Nichols Green Facilities Conference Wednesday, March 30, 2011; 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. University of Michigan – Dearborn, Fairlane Center 19000 Hubbard Drive Dearborn, Michigan This conference will offer education on features, benefits and cost management of green buildings, as well as display products for green cleaning and facilities maintenance. For registration or more information, go to http://www.enichols.com/greenconference/ 4th Annual Michigan Energy Conference – Energy Innovation & Technology April 13 & 14, 2011 Holiday Inn & Conference Center, Big Rapids Focused workshops and technical break-out sessions. Keynote speakers include: The Honorable Vern Ehlers speaking on Public Policy and our Energy Future George Erickeck on Michigan’s Energy Future Rich VanderVeen on Private Wind Peter Varga on Energy Transportation Formore information and to register, go to www.ferris.edu/mec. 15th Annual Wege Speaker Series April 15, 2011; 4:00 p.m. Aquinas College Performing Arts Center, Grand Rapids Featured speaker is Chris Palmer, internationally honored environmental film producer. His presentation will include clips from some of his celebrated wildlife films. Screen credits include producing environmental films for prime-time television, including the Disney Channel, TBS Superstation, Animal Planet, Home and Garden Television, The Travel Channel, The Outdoor Life Network and PBS. Palmer is currently Distinguished Film Producer in Residence and full-time faculty member at American University. This event is free and open to the public. To RSVP, email harbuell@aquinas.edu by April 6. Limited seating is available. A reception will follow. | 