4.16.2008 - 02:55pm ET

(CSRwire) CHICAGO, IL - April 16, 2008 - Co-op America Green Business Network brings their seventh Green Business Conference to Chicago, May 14-15, 2008 prior to the Green Festival, May 17-18 at Chicago's historic Navy Pier. Offering a plethora of speakers, workshops, business-to-business networking, and numerous green marketing opportunities.

Jeffrey Hollander, Seventh Generation CEO said, "When it comes to green business, this conference is as good as it gets. . . the best collection of green business leaders you’ll meet anywhere."

At this conference attendees will learn what they need to build and lead an authentic green business. Successful green business leaders with extensive experience share their invaluable insight into the state of the green marketplace, and provide marketing and financial models for businesses. Raphael Bemporand, Principal and Founder of BBMG, a leading marketing firm, will unveil their new research study documenting current green consumer trends – The Conscious Consumer Report. Businesses will be guided through an action plan to fight climate change by The Carbon Concierge and Obama campaign Energy Advisor, Craig Sieben. Structured networking opportunities are abundant and occur throughout the conference so businesses can meet and build connections with other business owners to form synergies and grow together.

Sara Snow, Discovery Channel and Planet Green TV Host for Get Fresh with Sara Snow, will deliver a keynote. According to her:

"At Green Business Conference you'll encounter the enterprising side of green, where eco-preneurs, new and experienced, exchange ideas for building a dynamic and vibrant marketplace together."

Sara Snow will be joined at this year’s event by:

Green Business Leaders: Bianca Alexander, Exec. Prod./Host, Conscious Living TV; Phil Baugh, Green Exchange; Raphael Bemporand, Principal/Cofounder, BBMG; Connie Evans, President/CEO, CSolutions Consulting; Erin Ford, Sustainability Officer, Organic Valley Family of Farms; Jason Graham-Nye, Cofounder/CEO, gdiapers; Jeffrey P. Harvey, CEO, Burgerville, Inc.; Xavier Hegelsen, Cofounder/COO, BetterWorld Books; David Lubensky, President, Bagatto, Inc.; Brenda M. Palms-Barber, Founder/COO, Sweet Beginnings; Chris Van Dyke, President/CEO, Nau; and Bryan Welch, Publisher/Editorial Director, Ogden Publications, Inc.

Media: Body & Soul Magazine, The Chicago Reader, E The Environmental Magazine, The Herb Companion, Herbs for Health, GreenBiz.com, Free Speech TV, Link TV, Earth Mother News, Natural Health, Natural Home & Garden, Natural Solutions, Ode, Plenty, Ready Made, Smart Home Owner, Utne Magazine, Chicago’s Progressive Talk, Yes! Magazine, and VegNews Magazine.

Public Officials: Hon. Richard M. Daley, Mayor, City of Chicago; Sadhu A. Johnston, Chief Environmental Officer, City of Chicago; and Suzanne Malac-McKenna, Commissioner of the Environment, City of Chicago

And The Bainbridge Graduate Institute’s The Carbon Concierge!

To view the full program schedule and learn how you can attend please visit http://www.coopamerica.biz or call 1-800-58GREEN. Don't let this conference pass you by!

What is a "Green Business?"

Green businesses operate in ways that solve, rather than cause, both environmental and social problems. These businesses adopt principles, policies and practices that improve the quality of life for their customers, their employees, communities, and the environment.

Here’s what some of the attendees from past Green Business Conferences had to say:

"The Green Business Conference is an excellent exploration of how to get from 'now' to a just and sustainable world, and the role of business in that journey!" Kate Amon, Owner of Kate's Caring Gifts "People and Earth Friendly Gifts"

"I got so much from the conference. All your hard work and excellent planning made a huge statement and impact on me. It opened my eyes and beliefs… and helped me see the importance of the movements Co-op America and its members are trying to accomplish. Your conference brought a new sense of being and drive… and helped me learn more about what is truly important. Thank you." Steven D. Kimmell, Sustainability Services Consulting

Co-op America, is a nonprofit consumer education organization for environmentally wise purchasing and investing, located in Washington, DC with over 4,000 business members and 75,000 consumer members throughout the country. Co-op America is the publisher of the National Green Pages – which has over a million copies in circulation and the producer of the Green Festivals. The Green Festivals are in Chicago, Seattle, San Francisco and Washington, DC and have over 150,000 people attend annually. The Co-op America Green Business Network is the first association of socially and environmentally responsible business in the nation, 1983. Contact Mr. Todd Larsen at toddlarsen@coopamerica.org to learn more about socially conscious and environmentally wise purchasing and investing. http://www.coopamerica.org http://www.greenfestivals.org

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