Fifth Annual Florida Green, Energy & Climate Conference/Expo
“100 Cities Summit” Another Successful Event
May 25, 2013 (Loxahatchee, Fla.) The Florida Green, Energy & Climate Conference/ 100 Cities Summit presented another successful event May 22nd and 23rd at the Palm Beach County Convention Center Beach. The Conference was coordinated by the Central Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce in collaboration with Palm BeachCounty and the United States Green Building Council. Those attending included municipal, county and school district sustainability leaders from throughout the state. Attendees enjoyed two days of intensive general sessions and panel discussions lead by experts in the field of sustainability.
Patrick J. Sheehan, Director of Florida’s Office of Energy discussed the ways Florida is moving forward in its collective efforts to develop a meaningful energy policy for the state. He was accompanied by a legislative panel, including Senators Joseph Abruzzo and Jeff Clemens and Representatives Lori Berman and Mark Pafford who provided updates on the 2013 legislative session in Tallahassee. Other featured speakers included the Mayor of Palm Beach County, Steven L. Abram,, Julio Fuentes, President of the Florida State Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Jennifer Dunham of Florida Opportunity Fund, Kim Delaney, TreasureCoast Regional Planning Council and Raphael Clemente, Executive Director of the Downtown Development Authority.
Among the many subjects featured this year at the conference was Balanced Energy. Gordon Lambert, Executive Advisor on Sustainability and Innovation for SUNCOR Energy, Canada, joined a dynamic group of experts in their fields who highlighted a portfolio of fuels that collectively promote fuel diversity and provide price stability for Florida families and business in an environmentally sensible manner. The challenges of Florida’s regulatory environment was discussed and alternatives to conventional practices explored by a panel of industry experts. Florida cities, including Wellington, Delray Beach, West Palm Beach, Fellsmere and Brooksville discussed their successful public/private partnerships which have provided environmentally sound solutions and economic sustainability for their cities. The importance of promoting Florida’s assets and attracting investors to the state was also discussed. Robin Safley, Director of the Florida Department of Agriculture’s Division of Food, Nutrition & Wellness led a panel of experts from the health industry, farming, schools and government on raising a healthy generation of students. The economic impact of climate change was discussed by two of the county’s leaders on the subject.
Palm BeachCountySchool District joined in this year with a program designed specifically for their students. There was also an essay contest with winners announced in the ballroom by Missy Strauss of Our Greener World. Graduate students from area universities were also in attendance throughout the conference.
To get more information about this event, visit .
Central Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce
561.790.6200