VCEDA Survey Results Show Local Businesses In Step With Sustainability Message

Oct. 26, 2011 - PRLog -- Ventura, Calif.--A survey of about 200 attendees at the 41st Annual Business Outlook Conference (BOC) presented by the Ventura County Economic Development Association (VCEDA) last week shows that many local businesses are seeing sustainability practices as a road to business success.

   The questions asked the attendees mirrored questions from a fall 2011 survey of 4,700 global business executives conducted by MIT Sloan Management Review.

   When asked whether pursuing sustainability-related strategies were necessary to be competitive, 78 percent of VCEDA conference attendees said yes. Respondents from MIT Sloan Management Review's "Third Annual Sustainability Global Executives Survey" found 67 percent said yes (up from 55 percent in 2010).

   Nearly identical percentages of business executives locally and globally said their organization's commitment to sustainability had increased in the past year (67 percent and 68 percent respectively). The global survey saw that percentage jump from 25 percent in 2009 and 59 percent in 2010.

   Those surveyed were asked if their organization's commitment to sustainability in the year ahead would increase in terms of management attention and investment. Seventy-one percent locally and 74 percent nationally indicated that it would increase. That number was up globally from only 27 percent in 2009 and 69 percent in 2010.

   "Businesses are constantly looking for ways to stay competitive," says Bill Buratto, VCEDA president and CEO. "Whether it's reusing and reducing energy, creating new systems that run more efficiently or recycling and reducing waste--sustainability practices offer enticing alternatives to the old ways of doing business. The cost savings are becoming real and measurable."

   Keynote speakers at the VCEDA conference were Rob Westberg, director of facilities at Amgen and Sharon Dwyer, economic and workforce development project manager for the Ventura County Community College District. Other speakers were Bill Camarillo, Agromin CEO, Paul Hullar, CEO of Brightwave Energy, Stephanie Leupp, western regional sales manager for SolarWorld and Greg Stuart, a certified business coach with Harmony Solutions International, LLC.

   To review the survey results and speaker Power Point presentations, go to www.vceda.org.

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About VCEDA

Established in 1949 and recognized as the premier business voice of Ventura County, VCEDA gives members an opportunity to interact with Ventura County’s civic, corporate, small business and government leaders. VCEDA’s mission is to advocate for policies, legislation and programs that stimulate and contribute to business growth, a vital local economy and a vibrant quality of life. For more information, call 805-676-1332 or visit http://www.vceda.org.