The trend to environmental responsibility is not just a trendy thing to do…it is becoming a business essential with social, political and financial implications.

Cutting edge retailers understand that genuine efforts to “Go Green” and facilitate environmental responsible behaviors by consumers/customers is more than a marketing fad.  Those who understand the movement recognize that socially conscious consumers are being joined by customers who want to save money and their habitat.

For the second year, Retail Alliance is drawing attention to the increasing concern and consideration for the environment by sponsoring Go Green.  The featured guest this year will be actor, author and activist Peter Coyote, who will advance the interest generated last year by actor and environmentalist Ed Begley Jr.

Coyote has appeared in more than 90 films and television productions, including E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial, Return of the Living Dead (4 and 5), Behind Enemy Lines and A Walk to Remember.  Long before the environmental movement took root, Coyote was involved as an activist.  Today, in addition to acting and writing, he serves as a “citizen journalist” on Out of the Box to help viewers understand critical American issues, including the environment, energy, etc.

“Business is a subset of the environment, not the other way around,” he says.  “You can't have a healthy economy; you can't have a healthy anything in a degraded environment.”  

The 2008 Retail Alliance Go Green will include a Virginia summit addressing the challenge of control plastic bag abuse and how businesses and communities can have an immediate positive impact on the environment, both facilitated by Coyote.  This is the culmination of a six-month community study originating in Isle of Wight.

Go Green will also feature a trade show highlighting environmentally sound business products and organizations, a reception, dinner and the first-ever awards to businesses that are taking leadership positions in the green movement.

Tickets are $35 for Retail Alliance members and $50 for non-members. This price includes the Virginia summit, exhibit hall, cocktail hour, dinner and the awards presentation. 

Agenda

Christopher Newport University*

Summit meeting  from 3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

*Summit is located at the Dave Student Union in the Washington Room

Virginia Living Museum

Expo Hall/Cocktail 5:00 pm- 7:00 pm

 
To find out more information about the event or sponsorship and exhibiting opportunities please contact Jen Webber at 757.455.9323 or jwebber@retail-alliance.com.

Interview with the President

1. Is being "green" or implementing "green practices" important to you? Why or why not?

Retail Alliance (a 103-year-old Virginia-based retail trade association) created a "Go Green" conference in 2007 because many of our members indicated that becoming environmentally responsible was something they wanted to do, felt compelled to do and didn't know how to accomplish. The conference (which last year featured Ed Begley) was designed to help merchants understand both the simple and complex changes they could make to begin "going green."  The feedback we got was that none of our members wanted "green washing," and felt the conference gave them tangible steps they could take (CFLs, finding alternatives to plastic bags, recycling store waste, etc.).

2. If it is, was there an event that convinced you of the importance? Please share.

The Go Green conference brought awareness to retailers (and consumers through media coverage), but we cannot claim any converts as a result. I can tell you that response was so good we are doing it again this year (Sept. 30 featuring Peter Coyote) and bringing in vendors who can help retailers make transitions (alternative bag suppliers, recycling vendors, green products for business, etc.).  We will also be recognizing four retailers who have made big changes. FarmFresh was recognized for playing a leadership role in helping resolve critical concerns in Isle of Wight County regarding plastic bag litter.  Through its actions, the company demonstrated its concern for the community and the environment, encouraging use of alternatives to plastic bags and installing recycling centers in its stores.  The actions can be replicated at stores throughout the Commonwealth.

3. What specifically have you changed in your life/home/family/work to become more "green"?

Retail Alliance led a coalition that just completed a regional study on whether or not to ban plastic bags.  The results have been presented to the state legislature.  The outcomes will lead Virginia retailers and developers of retail shopping centers to recycle and encourage the use of plastic alternatives.