Growing the Green Economy
Participants and service providers at last year's
conference
Growing the green economy is the theme of this year’s 3rd annual Clean Energy Connections conference & opportunity fair on Wednesday, October 20 at the MassMutual Center in Springfield, MA. Organized by UMass Amherst, this day-long program will bring together hundreds of business leaders, owners (current and future), higher education program directors, business support service providers and community members to learn how to start or grow green businesses.
The conference will feature two keynote speakers. Peter Rothstein, president of the New England Clean Energy Council, will deliver the first keynote on growing businesses in the green economy. The second keynote, from UMass Professor Stephen Herbert, associate dean in the College of Natural Sciences and director of the Center for Agriculture, will focus on how smart farming practices and strategic decisions can have a positive impact on our environment and economy.
In addition, the conference will offer tracks on business trends in energy efficiency, creative financing, and lessons learned from UMass spinoffs and other successful green businesses, to round out the program.
"Clean Energy Connections is different from other conferences because it brings together the vital cross-section of the green economy with the intent of connecting people," says Marla Michel, conference chairperson and executive director for economic development strategies and regional partnerships at UMass Amherst. "People from around the country come to learn, share, and meet prospective employers, partners, and colleagues. It's great that UMass organizes this event."
UMass Amherst has emerged as a national leader in clean energy research and defining the shape of the green economy. The flagship campus is bursting with sustainable energy research projects including: biofuels and cutting edge hydrogen fuel-cell science, solar and wind energy, recycling and green building. Learn more about umass.edu/green.
The UMass Amherst Alumni Association is proud to sponsor the Clean Energy Connections conference. As an additional benefit of the Alumni Association’s recent membership restructure – all alumni are now members and get 10% off the participant registration fee!
Exhibitor space at the Opportunity Fair, at which scores of businesses and organizations share their expertise, is available at very reasonable rates. Sponsorships are also available. Get more information about the conference program, exhibitor, and registration details at umass.edu/green/conference.