CREW and Clemson Join Forces to Present a Sustainability Summit Geared Towards Greening the Upstate

Aug. 22, 2012 - PRLog -- Greenville, S.C. - The Upstate South Carolina chapter of Commercial Real Estate Women (CREW), is joining forces with Clemson University’s Richard H. Pennell Center for Real Estate Development to present a “Sustainability Summit: Greening the Upstate.” The event is geared towards students and professionals interested in discussing best practices and issues related to sustainable real estate solutions. The summit will take place on September 7 at Centre Stage in downtown Greenville from 7:00 am to 10:00 am.

“We’re thrilled to have lined up such as an amazing group of experts to speak at our first ever sustainability summit for real estate professionals here in the Upstate,” says Wyche attorney and co-chair of the event, Maurie Lawrence. “It’s great to see the support we’ve received from local organizations such as CBRE Furman, Hughes Investments and Southpaw Marketing Group, who have helped bring this event to fruition.”  

The keynote speakers for the event are Theddi Wright Chappel, Senior Managing Director at Cushman & Wakefield of Colorado, Inc. and Pernille Christensen, Doctoral Student in the Planning, Design and the Built Environment program at Clemson University and a research associate with the Richard H. Pennell Center for Real Estate Development. Wright is a LEED Accredited professional with a focus on appropriate identification and analyses of sustainable properties and components, who is considered an expert in green valuation issues.  Christensen will be completing her doctorate in December and will be presenting work from her dissertation entitled “Making Decisions About Sustainable Real Estate:  Key Drivers of an Integrated Approach to Commercial Real Estate Investment, Management and Development Decision-Making in the United States.” This will be the first time her results and findings will be shared with the general public.

The keynote speakers will be followed by a panel discussion of industry experts in sustainability responding to issues addressed by the keynote speakers.  Panelists include Kathleen Rose, President & CEO of Rose & Associates Southeast, Inc.; Marnie Abramson, Principal of The Tower Companies; Doug Webster, Senior Associate at CBRE | The Furman Co.; and Amy Hook Ross, Real Estate and Green Building Consultant at ICF, Inc.   The panel session will be moderated by Karen Schwartz, Vice President of Support Services at Bon Secours St. Francis.

“Sustainability within the commercial real estate sector is not a fad and it is here to stay,” says Dr. Elaine Worzala, Director of the Pennell Center and co-chair of the event. “This is an area that is new to many of us and there is a lot to learn. Clemson and CREW are both dedicated to bringing to our region experts from across the country to provide professional development opportunities for real estate practitioners, students and faculty so we remain relevant and practical.”

To register for the Sustainability Summit, visit www.crewupstate.org. Tickets are $20.  

About CREW Upstate South Carolina
CREW Upstate is a Chapter of CREW Network, a national organization with more than 8,000 members in 66 major markets across the US and Canada. The CREW Network represents a well-educated and experienced group of professionals and is focused on promoting business, providing educational opportunities, and sharing information among members at local, regional, and national levels.

About the Richard H. Pennell Center
Housed in the College of Architecture, Arts and Humanities and the College of Business and Behavioral Science, the Center for Real Estate Development enjoys a rich cadre of experts and is able to provide a unique combination of research and public service resources for students, consumers, academics and businesses that are part of the real estate marketplace. Closely aligned with the Master of Real Estate Development (MRED) Program and the Planning, Design and the Built Environment (PDBE) Doctoral Program, the mission of the Center is to create an organization that complements our academic programming by providing research and outreach opportunities that will enhance the real estate profession and expand the reputation of Clemson University as a top educational and research university.

About Clemson University
Clemson University is ranked as the 25th best national public university by U.S.News and World Report, Clemson is a vibrant student-centered community that thrives on leadership, research, collaboration and a winning spirit — in academics, athletics and life.