FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 15, 2008

KC GreenSummit 2008 to be April 25

The City of Kansas City, Mo., will hold the KC GreenSummit 2008 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on April 25 in the Bartle Hall Grand Ballroom, 301 W. 13th St.

The summit includes professional presentations about best practices in green solutions and green infrastructure. Exhibits will feature local companies and corporations demonstrating how they implement green solutions.

“The City is determined to be a leader in the emerging public realm of green infrastructure,” said City Manager Wayne A. Cauthen. “By working together with our regional partners, the City is developing a new model for how green solutions can enhance economic opportunities for residents and small businesses. These solutions also can beautify neighborhoods and help the City meet regulatory requirements to reduce the amount of stormwater and sewer overflows that pollute our waterways.”

The keynote speaker is Majora Carter, executive director of Sustainable South Bronx, a group that works to help empower communities to clean up the urban core and create green collar jobs. Carter is a nationally-know environmental advocate and was recently recognized as one of the country’s 25 most influential African Americans.

Other scheduled guests include U.S. Rep Emanuel Cleaver II, City Councilmembers, Cauthen and experts from the Environment Protection Agency.

“This collaborative gathering of Kansas Citians will help create efficient and affordable green solutions for City projects in order to provide greener streets, cleaner air and water, improved property values and green collar jobs for our community,” said City Councilman Ed Ford, 2nd District at large. 

The luncheon portion of the event, “Taste of a Green Region,” features samples of locally grown and organic foods.

The afternoon session includes six breakout groups facilitated by Bob Berkebile, founding principal of BNIM Architects, and others from BNIM. Each group will include representatives from the City Council, the City’s Green Team, the City’s Green Solutions Integration Team, the Green Solutions Subcommittee of the Wet Weather Community Panel, the Youth Commission and representatives from the community. The groups will examine one of six green projects in each of the city’s council districts.

These projects have been identified through a stakeholder interview process as those that have appropriate scope, funding, schedule and that hold opportunities for green integration. 

“We are asking all business leaders, community activists, non-profit organizations, neighborhood association leaders, architecture and engineering firms to join us for the KC GreenSummit 2008 as we lay the groundwork to make Kansas City a green city,” Cauthen said.

Registration is $50 per person; City employees and non-profit participants can attend for free. Participants must pre-register online at http://www.RainKC.com. Those interested in being exhibitors can call (816) 500-7090 or e-mail kcgreensummit2008@mac.com.

Media inquiries about the KC GreenSummit 2008 should be directed to Lynn Hinkle at (816) 616-4236.