EDITOR’S NOTE: For continuous news updates on the SME Green Conference or Wyland Living Green Fair, visit www.livinggreenfair.com, follow the WLGF on twitter/green_fair, look for WLGF on Facebook, contact the event producer at [email protected]  or call 561-241-7309. 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
Media Contact: Kaye Communications, Inc. 561-392-5166
Bonnie S. Kaye, [email protected], Mobile: 561-756-3099
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Photos Available: Keynote Speaker Josh Dorfman

Register Now for the 2010 SME Green Conference: “The Next Opportunity” To Help Businesses Grow With Green
Environmental Television Host, Radio Personality, Author and CEO
Josh Dorfman — “The Lazy Environmentalist” — To Give Keynote Address

BOCA RATON, FL (October 5, 2010)–Since there is both money to be made and sustainability to be achieved when incorporating GREEN into everyday business practices… South Florida business owners, entrepreneurs and C-suite executives should register for the B2B SME Green Conference: “The Next Opportunity” to learn how they can grow with green. Developed and hosted by the Wyland Living Green Fair and South Florida Business Journal, presented by PNC Bank, and sponsored by Office Depot, Florida Atlantic University, Amerigas, Clean Fuel USA, Electron Solar Energy, Heritage Propane, Boca Raton Resort & Club, Kaye Communications, Boca Raton Symphonia & CSRWire, the conference begins at 8:30 a.m. at the Florida Atlantic University in the Grand Palm Room at the FAU Student Union, 777Glades Road, Boca Raton, Florida.

Designed to further the future of business for small and midsized enterprises (SME) with revenues of $5-$50M, the conference will focus on how to profit from going Green and offer the practical information needed to be successful. The program includes a keynote address by environmental television host, radio personality, author and CEO Josh Dorfman (http://www.lazyenvironmentalist.com/), “The Lazy Environmentalist”, general sessions and panel discussions featuring the best minds in the business who will share real success stories of entrepreneurs and business owners who made the leap into GREEN and how it significantly impacted their business. Attendees will learn where the green opportunity is for small and mid-sized businesses, and how to create a green concept, make a current business green, follow green incentives, operate a green business, and build growth through sales and marketing.

Keynote speaker Dorfman, who will soon be releasing his third book, will open the conference by taking attendees to the cutting-edge of green innovation. As one of today’s most dynamic and engaging green speakers, Dorfman will present his unique insights, research and experiences on The Art of Green Persuasion: How To Successfully Engage Consumers On The Environment to demonstrate that the right green communication game plan can maximize ROI by boosting sales, building brand loyalty and generating widespread press coverage. Josh shares the key elements for doing it. He will also share tips on how to Live Your Best and, Yes, Laziest Green Lifestyle, demonstrating how it is easier, more affordable and stylish than ever before to live and work according to your environmental values. He will educate attendees on the designers, inventors, entrepreneurs and policymakers who are doing the heavy eco-lifting in this area.

“Companies in the green space are thriving and business owners and executives should be looking seriously at green as a growth strategy or they will miss a major cycle in the economy,” noted David Etzler, producer of the SME Green Conference and the Wyland Living Green Fair. “Whether one owns a current business or is looking to start a new one, the SME Green Conference will give them the practical information they need to be successful in going after this young and lucrative market.”

According to Etzler, attendees will have a good road map to “Going Green” following SME Green Conference session/panel discussions that address the following (full program below):

  • Where Is The Green Opportunity For Small & Midsized Businesses?
  • The Light Bulb Flash: Creating Your Green Concept
  • Bringing Green In: How To Incorporate Green Into Your Current Business
  • Going For The Green: Financing Your Business Venture
  • Putting The Pieces Together: Operating Your Green Business
  • Taking Off – Growth Through Sales, Marketing, Technology And Social Media
  • Getting The Big Money: Winning Government Contracts.
  • Walking the Talk: Greening Your Operations

The SME Green Conference registration fee of $75 includes:

  • Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony & Tour of FAU’s 100,000-square-foot Platinum Level LEED certified School of Engineering building
  • Continental Breakfast
  • Full Day of Conference Programming
  • Access to Vendor Showcase
  • Lunch
  • Pass to VIP Cocktail Reception at Boca Raton Museum of Art
    o Opportunity to Meet World Renown Marine Artist and Conservationist Wyland
    o Admission To Wyland Exhibition at the Boca Raton Museum of Art
    o Food & Cocktails
    o Performances by an ensemble from the Boca Raton Symphonia

The SME Conference kicks off the free and open-to-the-public weekend 2010 Wyland Living Green Fair (http://www.livinggreenfair.com/) that features the art, mission and appearances by globally renowned marine life artist and conservationist Wyland (http://www.wyland.com/) in Downtown Boca at Mizner Park plus unique interactive experiences that bring together art, community involvement, and awareness to teach individuals, families and businesses how easily they can go green in just a few simple steps, do better for the Earth and live a higher quality of lifestyle. Held from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, November 6-7, 2010, following the SME Green Conference, the event takes an entertaining approach to sharing the GREEN message through participation by engaging the attendees through an array of interactive experiences; product showcases; unique exhibitions; an eco-friendly fashion show hosted by Disney Channel star Ryan Sagginario; cooking demonstrations and tastings featuring recipes that incorporate organic foods; hybrid showcase; a kids eco-zone; Wyland Clean Water Mobile Learning Center; Wyland’s interactive Extreme Water Maze; Wyland painting murals with children; and movies; plus a live concert on Saturday afternoon (admission $12) with performances by Disney Channel eco-conscious teen stars Anna Margaret and Jasmine Sagginario. A portion of proceeds benefits the Wyland Foundation (http://www.wylandfoundation.com/).

For more information on the SME Conference and to register, visit www.livinggreenfair.com/SME for online registration or call 561-241-7309. For more information on the Wyland Living Green Fair event on November 6-7, 2010 in Downtown Boca, visit http://www.livinggreenfair.com/, follow the Wyland Living Green Fair at twitter/green_fair, friend the Fair on Facebook, contact [email protected] or call 561-241-7309. For related exhibitor and sponsorship opportunities, email Ray Kyle at [email protected] or call him 561-241-7309.

SME Conference, November 5, 2010 “Conference Chairs: Yalmaz Siddiqui, Director of Environmental Strategy, Office Depot Brenda Coto, M. Ed., Managing Director of Technology & Innovation, College of Engineering & Computer Science, Florida Atlantic University”

Friday

8:30am-9:10am- Breakfast & Registration

9:10am-9:15am- Welcome & PNC Introduction – David Etzler, Founder, Wyland Living Green Fair

9:15am-9:30am- Introduction & Opening Remarks
“Where Is The Green Opportunity For Small & Midsized Businesses?”

Yalmaz Siddiqui, Director of Environmental Strategy, Office Depot

Yalmaz will set the stage for us as he explains what a Green Business is and why Green is an opportunity. We will learn about the type and nature of businesses that can be called green and get a quick overview of some major growth areas. Yalmaz will kick off our day with examples of hot growth opportunities in the green sector.
  • What Is a Green Business?
  • Why Is Green An opportunity?
  • Where Is Growth Happening?”

9:30am-10:00am- “The Lightbulb Flash: Creating Your Green Concept” Vaughan Lazar, Founder, Pizza Fusion

Vaughan lazar is one of the most successful green entrepreneurs in South Florida. Hear his story on how he created his green concept and the lessons learned. You will come away with a compelling framework to create your own green concept.
  • Understanding The Customer Needs
  • Creating New Markets
  • Finding A Niche
  • Establishing Your Value Proposition
  • Differentiating Your Solution
  • Creating A Compelling Business Plan

10:00am-10:45am- “Don’t Just Be A Green Business, Be A Great Business”

 Josh Dorfman, The Lazy Environmentalist, Environmentalist, Television Personality, Speaker, Spokesperson, Author, CEO and Corporate Consultant

To succeed in today’s marketplace, green businesses must provide outstanding products and services to consumers and market them so effectively that even the environmentally skeptical, indifferent, or just plain lazy, covet them. Josh Dorfman shares best practices from today’s most cutting-edge green companies and draws upon his own in-the-trenches experience as an environmental entrepreneur and national radio and television host to provide a roadmap for not just growing a green business, but also totally outperforming the competition.

10:45am-11:00am- Break

11:00am-11:30am- “Bringing Green In: How To Incorporate Green Into Your Current Business”

(Co-Presentation) Rick Howard, Founder, Sklar Furnishings Yalmaz Siddiqui, Director of Environmental Strategy, Office Depot

Rick and Yalmaz will present two stories about two successful businesses, one small and one large, on their journey to incorporate green. You will learn from their experiences including how they overcame barriers and set strategic priorities to drive the maximum economic benefit for their companies. 
  • Growing Your Knowledge
  • Incorporating Green Into Your Conventional Business Model
  • Engaging The Existing Customer Base
  • Growing Your Green Product Sales 

11:30am-11:35am- “Slides of Green Success Stories”

Yalmaz Siddiqui, Director of Environmental Strategy, Office Depot

11:35am-12:15pm- “Following the Green Incentives”

(Panel) Gary Hines, SVP, Administration for the Business Development Board of Palm Beach County, Inc James Kohnstamm, Director, Beacon Council David Coddington, Vice President – Business Development, Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance Mike Woika, Asst. City Manager, The City of Boca Raton

From the stimulus to local programs, find out how your business can take advantage of the incentives that are available right now for green businesses. Hear from our panel about the opportunity, process, and strategy for obtaining these incentives.

12:15pm-1:15pm- Lunch

12:45pm-1:15pm- “Achieving Value from an Environmental Strategy”

Gary Jay Saulson , Director of Corporate Real Estate, The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc.

Over ten years ago, PNC made the industry-leading commitment that all new construction and major renovations would follow LEED® green building standards. Due to this commitment, PNC recently celebrated the achievement of its 100th LEED certified building, its first LEED Platinum certification, and being the world leader in newly constructed LEED certified buildings (85). During the presentation, Gary Saulson, PNC’s Director of Corporate Real Estate, will share insight on the company’s environmental commitment, explaining why PNC started building green, how it’s good for business, and where he sees the company heading in the future.

1:15pm-1:20pm- “Slides of Green Success Stories”

Yalmaz Siddiqui, Director of Environmental Strategy, Office Depot

1:20pm-2:00pm- “Putting the Pieces Together: Operating Your Business”

(Co-Presentation) Marci Zaroff, Former CEO, Under the Canopy. CEO, FASE Greg Horn, Former CEO, General Nutrition Center, Partner Pegasus Capital

Hear from two powerful and inspiring INDUSTRY PIONEERS about how they created and grew multimillion dollar green businesses. Marci will talk about her experiences with green fashion and Greg will give his insights into how GNC became a global powerhouse for nutritional products. Learn how they both put the pieces together to operate successful businesses.

  • Creating An Advisory Board
  • Creating A Leadership Team
  • Establishing Sound Vendor Relationships
  • Hiring And Training For Success
  • Winning Your First Deals

2:00pm-2:40pm- “Taking Off – Growth Through Sales & Marketing”

Moderator: Kevin Gale, Editor, SF Biz Journal Bonnie S. Kaye, President & Chief Strategist, Kaye Communications, Inc. Integrated Marketing & Public Relations Counselors Kelly Murphy, President/General Manager, Panache A Classic Party Rentals Company

Your business will only grow if people know about it. Learn the best and latest ideas to leverage innovative green messaging to attract attention and convert prospects to customers.

  • Creating A Splash
  • Executing Your Plan
  • Driving Sales
  • Leveraging Technology & Social Media

2:40pm-3:10pm- “Walking the Talk: Greening Your Operations”
(Panel) Moderator: Jill Rosen, Assistant Director Office of Space Utilization/Sustainability Liaison, Florida Atlantic University Robert Cannellos, LEED AP, President, USGBC South Florida Chapter Jeffrey C. Lynne, Esq., LEED AP, Weiner & Lynne, P.A. Gary Jay Saulson , Director of Corporate Real Estate, The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc.

Green operations are lean operations. Our panel will show you how they reduced operating costs by going green. You will take away a series of ideas that maximize your cost savings opportunities while creating a more positive and productive work environment.
  • Creating Your Green Policies
  • Building Green
  • Managing Waste & Water
  • Reducing Energy/Carbon Footprint
  • Logistics & Transportation

3:10pm-3:30pm- Working Session with Audience/Slide Show of the Next Opportunity
Yalmaz Siddiqui, Director of Environmental Strategy, Office Depot

3:30pm-4:00pm- Transport to FAU Ribbon Cutting/Tours

5:30pm-8:00pm- VIP Reception at Boca Museum of Art