The city of Tallahassee and its community partners are hosting Sustainable You on Monday and Tuesday at the Florida State University Turnbull Conference Center.
The theme of the conference is “Sustainability: The Power of Collaboration.”
“We are excited to show our guests unique sustainability practices and also allow them to engage with sustainability experts and leaders from across the country,” said Véronique George, a marketing analyst with environmental policy and energy resources with the city of Tallahassee.
This green conference will give entrepreneurs, community residents, students and all attendees an opportunity to learn about emerging sustainability trends that are shaping global business practices, societal and cultural issues and environmental standards.
The city is also providing scholarships for Leon County students to attend the conference at a rate of $25.
Cha’Tonia Boles, a second-year criminal justice student from Vero Beach, Fla., is attending Sustainable You because she wants to spread green awareness to her peers.
“Students care more about themselves than what’s going on in the world, and that’s sad,” Boles said. “We are a materialistic generation, and if it doesn’t benefit us, then we don’t pay it any attention. Every student should attend.”
This day-and-a-half conference includes more than 20 presentations under the following tracks: green economy, town and gown collaborations, green hands-on learning and partners of change from sustainability practitioners, researchers, community leaders, university students and professors and globally known thought leaders in the field of sustainability.
Manoude Charles, a second-year criminal justice student from Fort Lauderdale, believes this conference will teach her sustainability practices that she can take back to her hometown.
“Going green in some poor neighborhoods in my city is unheard of,” Charles said. “They don’t even recycle because it costs too much. I plan to take in as much as possible from the speakers so I can eventually give back and make my city greener.”
Some of the speakers will include Michael Hewett, director of environmental and sustainability programs at Publix Super Markets Inc.; April Rinne, chief strategy officer at Collaborative Lab; and Ilana Preuss, vice president and chief of staff at Smart Growth America.
Not only will attendees learn about sustainability practices, but they will also partake in some as well. All conference information will be circulated electronically. Electric vehicles will be used to transport to and from the conference and all conference meals will use reusable tableware and serve local foods where available.
Registration for Sustainable You is $60 for Leon County residents and $125 for non-Leon County residents.