In 2003, Jigar Shah founded Sun Edison LLC and pioneered the solar power services agreement (SPSA) model, which has turned solar services into a multi-billion dollar industry. In 2007, Gavin McIntyre co-founded Ecovative Design, with a focus on revolutionizing the way materials are made and to offer a suite of bio-based products.

The stories behind these two ventures will come to life next week in Las Vegas, as Shah and McIntyre take the stage as keynote speakers at the U.S. Chamber BCLC National R4 Conference.

"BCLC's National R4 Conference is this summer's meeting place for people within the business, government, and nonprofit sectors who want discuss market-based solutions for environmental issues," said Chris Ryan, BCLC's environmental innovation program coordinator. "The conference is organized around four topics that we believe will drive the innovation discussion: Revitalization, Reinvention, Resilience, and Responsibility."

Ideas and solutions will be shared through the participation of dozens of additional innovators and practitioners. Presentations are slated for officials from some America’s most recognized brands, including Baxter, Caesars Entertainment, FedEx, IBM, Intel, Kimberly-Clark, and more.

Special guest Pat Mulroy will headline a session dedicated to water supply and conservation. Mulroy is one of the American Southwest's premier water experts. As the general manager of the Southern Nevada Water Authority and the Las Vegas Valley Water District, she is responsible for serving 2 million residents and more than 40 million annual visitors. Her experience will be valuable for anyone seeking to understand how water-related issues impact the growth, sustainablity, and longevity of local and global communities.

With community mobilization being a key aspect to addressing environmental issues, several local chambers of commerce will share lessons learned from their regions of the country. For example, Dick Fleming, president and CEO of the St. Louis Regional Chamber and Growth Association and board president of the National Climate Prosperity Project, brings a robust understanding of environmental issues in relation to regional economic development. Also represented will be the Kalispell (MT) Chamber, Long Beach (CA) Chamber, Arizona Chamber, and Arlington (VA) Chamber.

BCLC is accepting registrations for this conference until noon EST on Friday, July 15th. The event kicks off on Monday afternoon at Las Vegas’ Mandalay Bay. For full event information and to register before noon Friday, visit the National R4 Conference website.

About The Business Civic Leadership Center (BCLC)

The Business Civic Leadership Center (BCLC), affiliated with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, strengthens collaboration and understanding among businesses, corporate foundations, chambers of commerce, NGO and humanitarian agencies, and governmental offices. BCLC is a voice and a resource for the business community's social and philanthropic interests.

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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