Sunshine Coast, Gibsons and Sechelt, B.C. – a new kind of workshop is happening on the Sunshine Coast that reveals the Business of Sustainability as an economic driver. Taking the lead in sponsoring an upcoming half day workshop being held in two locations, one by simulcast, are the Sunshine Coast Regional District and Lehigh Materials, both of whom understand the importance of connecting the local business community to the opportunities that come with a sustainable approach.

This workshop encourages the Profit pillar in the three P’s of People, Profit and Planet and acknowledges that without that strength, the jobs and health of the region will flounder just as the environment can without due care with our resources.
“Coming from the business perspective, leading workshops in BC and as far away as Turkey, Greenomics is a good choice to deliver the message and provide businesses the tools they need to become more sustainable.” said Greenomics President, Erich Schwartz, “Businesses that embrace sustainability now will gain the competitive edge they need to thrive in a rapidly changing economy”.

“The SCRD recently adopted a region-wide Sustainability Plan that highlights the important role businesses play in supporting a sustainable Sunshine Coast. It is important to provide opportunities, like this workshop, for business owners and their staff to delve deeper into business practices that are good for people, the planet and the bottom line “ says Johan Stroman, Community Energy Manager with the SCRD. “Reducing business costs and saving energy while providing the same or better service is where this workshop can help. Workshops like these also help encourage networking and collaborative problem solving.”

Being in the extractive business puts a lot of focus on companies like Lehigh Materials to be good stewards with the environment, but the responsibility doesn’t stop there and being part of the economic viability on the coast as a major employer means they have to keep an eye on People and Profit, too. “Our organization recognizes the value of the triple bottom line approach. Extracting a non-renewable resource is not sustainable. We have been working hard with our partners to develop innovative ways to return the disturbed land to a usable state even if the cost of doing so is greater than the standard industry approach.” says Mike Latimer, Lehigh Materials Mine Manager. “You can do a lot within an organization to empower your people to help you spot the ways in which you can reduce waste, conserve energy and maximize opportunities, at work.”

Other sponsors, such as the District of Sechelt, IGA Gibsons, and the Gibsons and District Chamber of Commerce, want to be a part of the plan and encourage businesses to look for ways in which they can improve employee retention and engagement, energy use, supply chain optimization, and more, while reducing internal costs through efficiencies and smarter choices.

Greenomics will be presenting its overview of “The Business of Sustainability” to the Pender Harbour Rotary Club in Pender Harbour, British Columbia, at the Garden Bay Hotel.

Date: October 21, 2011, starting at 12:00 PM.

Join us for traditional pub food with a Sunshine Coast flair and beverages, and engage in a lively discussion of how businesses can proper by pursuing sustainable business practices. Discussion will be led by Greenomics president Erich Schwartz.

Registration Not Required

The National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy (NRTEE) is convening opinion leaders and experts from across Canada around their table to share their knowledge and diverse perspectives. The objective is to stimulate debate and integrate polarities. NRTEE is creating a context for possibilities to emerge by meeting Canadians from every region of the country to engage in deliberations. The NRT is the only national organization with a direct mandate from the Canadian Parliament to engage Canadians in the generation and promotion of sustainable development, advice, and solutions.

Greenomics president, Erich Schwartz, will attend and will be presenting the rational for getting businesses engaged in policy making, community involvement, and environmental responsibility.

DATE: April 19, 2011
TIME: 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM
LOCATION: Gibsons & Area Community Centre, Rm 209

Panel of Experts

Erich Schwartz, President – Greenomics Corporation
Sharon Anderchek, General Manager – Community Futures Sunshine Coast
Chris Reid, Chartered Accountant
Finance/Credit – to be announced
Organizational Expert – Leah Goard, Owner/Operator-Organized to Thrive
Communications/New Media – Laurie McConnell, President-Bad Dog Design/bigpacific.com

Join us for an informative session with our “Experts Panel”. The only thing that we can all count on these days is the rapid pace of change. This is especially evident in our small business community. Ask our panel the tough questions for which you need answers. We’re willing to tackle any small business subject that may assist you to thrive in these challenging times.

What is the biggest challenge that you are facing in your business today?

Feel free to submit your questions in advance of the meeting so our experts come prepared. Or ask questions from the floor.
Send your issues and questions to sharon.anderchek@communityfutures.org or to staff@gibsonschamber.com and we’ll make sure they are addressed.

The Regional Environmental Center (REC) is a non-profit international environmental organization founded by the United Sates Government and the European Commission in 1990 in Budapest. Today, there are 31 countries (including Canada) that support and promote REC. REC Turkey started in 2004 to support Turkish government and business efforts in becoming more sustainable, addressing climate change, and aligning with EU environmental regulations.

Since 2007, REC has been running a sustainability certificate programme together with Bogazici University for senior executives of private companies coming from different industries such as pharmaceuticals, FMCG, automotive, and cement. The programme’s goal is to convey fundamental sustainability concepts and practices to enable participants to more effectively manage their business and become more competitive.

This year, REC has incorporated Greenomics board game “Greenomics the Game” into the programme as an innovative learning tool. It fits perfectly into the programme structure as it is an engaging game with lots of challenges, and leads participants to think out of the box.

Kerem OKUMUŞ, Deputy Director, REC Turkey