Where Green Meets Black: What Works and Why for Sustainable Business

ANN ARBOR, Mich. - Sept. 18, 2013 - PRLog -- MICHIGAN-FOCUSED CONFERENCE TO MAKE THE BUSINESS CASE FOR SUSTAINABILITY

“Where Green Meets Black” Gathers Experts in Ann Arbor to Discuss

How Green Practices Support a Healthy Bottom Line

Ann Arbor, MI, September 18, 2013 – Leaders in business, education and research will review the latest findings on emerging trends, lessons learned and strategies for future sustainable business practices during a one-day conference scheduled for Thursday, October 10, 2013, at the University of Michigan’s Rackham Auditorium in Ann Arbor.

“Where Green Meets Black: What Works and Why for Sustainable Business,” is Michigan’s only annual statewide sustainability-focused symposium designed for businesses of all sizes and industries. Participants will acquire the latest data and have the opportunity to share best practices to directly influence the state’s economic future.

Conference co-hosts include the Southeast Michigan Sustainable Business Forum (SMSBF), the University of Michigan Erb Institute for Global Sustainable Enterprise and EarthShare Michigan (ESMI).

Guest speakers and topics include:

Lauren Bigelow of Growth Capital Network, speaking on “Michigan Trends in Sustainable Entrepreneurship”

Robert W. Kuhn, an international corporate strategist, investment banker and public intellectual, addressing “How Sustainable Business Practices Enhance Profitability and Venture Capital”

Andrew Hoffman, the Holcim Professor of Global Sustainable Enterprise, presenting findings from his new book: Flourishing: A Frank Conversation about Sustainability.

Representatives from the public and private sectors will lead several panel discussions to address sustainability’s critical role in business, from strategy to management. There

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will be several opportunities throughout the day for individual networking and discussion.

Tickets for “Where Green Meets Black” are $85 (SMSBF member price: $50) when purchased before September 20 and $100 thereafter (SMSBF member price: $70). Admission to the all-day event (8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.) includes all speaker presentations and panel discussions, a continental breakfast and lunch. For more information and tickets, please visit www.smsbf.org.

Southeast Michigan Sustainable Business Forum –The Forum supports business leaders in Southeast Michigan in creating long-term and sustainable value for their stakeholders in a region and a world undergoing fundamental and rapid economic, environmental, and social change.  The SMSBF Vision is to have a profound and positive impact on the growth and prosperity of Southeast Michigan through sustainable business practices. www.smsbf.org

EarthShare Michigan –EarthShare is non-profit federation of environmental charities with almost 25 years of experience in connecting people and workplaces with effective ways to support critical environmental causes. Its program amps up employee engagement, raises critical funding, and builds awareness about environmental issues. EarthShare @ Work supports CSR initiatives, philanthropy and corporation’s green goals. www.earthshare.org

UM Erb Institute for Global Enterprise - The Erb Institute is committed to creating a socially and environmentally sustainable society through the power of business. Building on nearly two decades of research, teaching, and direct engagement, the Institute has become one of the world’s leading sources of innovative knowledge on the culture, technologies, operations and governance of business in a changing world. The Institute’s impact is realized most powerfully through our vibrant global network of students and alumni who are the transformative change agents in business, government and the non-profit worlds. www.erb.umich.edu