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Energy and Environment Identified as Key Competitiveness Opportunity for 2010 and Beyond

Shell WindEnergy President Dick Williams among Leading Executives to Address Solutions

Energy and Environment Identified as Key Competitiveness Opportunity for 2010 and Beyond

Shell WindEnergy President Dick Williams among Leading Executives to Address Solutions

Published 05-07-10

Submitted by U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation Corporate Citizenship Center

Next week's National Conference on Corporate Community Investment will serve as an idea hub for corporate citizens and leaders from chambers of commerce, city and federal government, and community organizations committed to working together to address 21st century challenges.

Titled "Corporate Citizenship and Competitiveness," this conference in Houston is a convening point for vital discussion on top concerns for companies and communities alike: energy and the environment, job creation, health and wellness, and education.

"Corporate community investment today - and tomorrow - is about leveraging the effectiveness of community-based programs to do two things: 1) Produce measureable and tangible benefits to communities and 2) Enhance the value proposition of the company," said Benjamin Erulkar, BCLC senior advisor for Corporate Community Investment. "Most companies and community organizations would agree that they strive to foster positive results though partnerships, rather than charity."

Dick Williams, president of Shell WindEnergy, will take center stage at the National Conference as the keynote presenter on Thursday, May 13th. Williams will add specifically to the discussion around the Energy and Environment conference track, which will include breakout sessions on both successful case studies and new ideas. Williams leads Shell's wind energy activities, including the operation of 11 wind farms, 8 in North America and three in Europe, with a total capacity of 1,100 megawatts.

"At Shell, we believe in getting involved in the communities where we live and work," said Williams. "So we support children's charities, education, environment, and workforce development programs. We believe in volunteerism and doing what it takes to make our communities better places for our families and our neighbors. Being a good corporate citizen isn't just good for business, it's also the right thing to do."

Siemens Corporation also has a significant role in the National Conference, as BCLC's co-host of the annual Siemens Sustainable Community Awards. Nine U.S. communities have made it to the finalist round in the 2010 Awards, based on their programs to build local economic, environmental, and social capacity. A Large Community, Midsize Community, and Small Community winner will be announced on the evening of May 13th. (See finalist features on BCLCblog (http://bclc.chamberpost.com/tag/siemens).

It's not too late to participate in this year's in-depth conversations on corporate citizenship in relation to energy and the environment, job creation, health and wellness, and education. But register today (www.uschamber.com/bclc/cci2010), as there are space limitations.

Conference participants and BCLC staff will be providing real-time information next week on Twitter. Follow BCLC (@chamberbclc) and conference hashtags (#bclc2010 and #csr) for updates and to participate online.

BCLC is a 501(c)(3) affiliate of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and is the Chamber's voice and resource for the social and philanthropic interests of the business community.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world's largest business federation representing the interests of more than 3 million businesses of all sizes, sectors, and regions, as well as state and local chambers and industry associations.

U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation Corporate Citizenship Center logo

U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation Corporate Citizenship Center

U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation Corporate Citizenship Center

U.S. community development. Emerging-market development. Disaster response. Social and environmental innovation – businesses play an important role in all of these issue areas.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation Corporate Citizenship Center is recognized in the corporate citizenship field as a source for fresh thinking, exceptional networking and practical lessons learned.

The Foundation works to strengthen collaboration and understanding among companies, corporate foundations, chambers of commerce, NGOs, and governmental offices. As a partnership facilitator, The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation Corporate Citizenship Center helps businesses find highly effective ways to invest in local communities, be responsive in times of disasters, and improve lives and livelihoods across the globe.

The Foundations mission is to work with businesses to make the world a better place. Email ccc@uschamber.com to learn more.

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