Conferences are important forums for bringing people together and, increasingly, these events are being used to talk about the environment. One example is the IIDEX/NeoCon Canada Exposition and Conference, which is taking place in Toronto on September 28-29, 2006 at the Exhibition Place’s Direct Energy Centre.

Building on last year’s theme of space, IIDEX/NeoCon Canada is broadening its scope to incorporate the theme of sustainability. The event gives attendees and exhibitors an opportunity to network, share insights regarding design issues and consider how the spaces we create can be developed in a manner that is respectful of the environment.

Zerofootprint would like to congratulate IIDEX/NeoCon Canada for all the attention it has given to sustainability, including offsetting paper. By participating in Zerofootprint Offsets, the natural resources used to print the conference program and marketing material will be restored to the environment. Specifically, Zerofootprint will work with conservation-focused community organizations to plant trees, protect watersheds, and invest in renewable energy projects. To find out more about this program, please visit Zerofootprint Offsets .

In addition to offsetting, IIDEX/NeoCon Canada is offering an extensive selection of green events and initiatives, with the goal of educating attendees and the market regarding environmental issues. Some examples:

• Launching LEED for Commercial Interiors in Canada by CaGBC, which includes seminars and a press launch.

• The Sustainable Condo Feature Exhibit, designed by Busby Perkins + Will Architects. This interactive cutting edge display will showcase the latest design and architectural products/technologies available to create a sustainable building.

• Highlighting “green” accredited products and exhibitors throughout the show floor and in the show guide.

• Promoting sustainable learning. Working with over 25 professional associations, IDEX/NeoCon Canada has significantly increased their CEU accredited seminar stream to over 60 seminars on all aspects of the built environment, including 30 seminars specifically on environmental design.

• Establishing 41° to 66° Regional Responses to Sustainable Architecture in Canada Exhibit. An IIDEX/NeoCon Canada exclusive, 41° to 66° showcases the very best examples of sustainable architecture in Canada from coast to coast to coast. Located in booth 927 of the show floor, this 1000 square foot exhibit is divided into six regions (Arctic, West Coast, Mountain, Prairie, Continental, and Atlantic) with photos and text wall panels and six beautiful models made for the exhibition.

• Promoting Demystifying Green – A Specifiers Guide to Green Labeling Programs. By collaborating with environmental consultants Blue Wilderness Management Group and the Athena Sustainable Materials Institute, IIDEX/NeoCon Canada has developed a new tool kit for specifiers to easily evaluate the various “green” accreditation-labeling programs used by manufacturers. This important resource can be found here .

IIDEX/NeoCan Canada has taken clear leadership in promoting environmental issues. It is also on its way to becoming, through sustainable suppliers and contractors, the nation’s first truly green trade show.

The Founder and President of Zerofootprint, Dr. Ron Dembo, will be speaking at the event with Azar Loghman, an innovative designer and architect, on Thursday, September 28th at 4 pm. They will discuss how builders, developers, and executives can profitably build ‘green’. The first part of their presentation will examine strategies that can be followed to achieve this goal, focusing on three types of renewable energy: geothermal, wind, and solar. In the second part, they will concentrate on making green buildings affordable. More specifically, Ron and Azar will explore how the upfront capital risks associated with sustainable technologies can be avoided with knowledge of the right resources.

Please visit IIDEX/NeoCon Canada Exposition and Conference if you are interested in learning more or registering for the conference.

Zerofootprint will be booth 24 on the ‘Green Boulevard’. If you will be attending, please come visit us to discuss our initiatives, share ideas, and exchange insights regarding sustainable building and business.