West Coast Green Post Mortem
Last weekend, I attended West Coast Green, the residential green building show held at Bill Graham Auditorium in San Francisco. I have to commend the organizers. The show felt like a west coast GreenBuild, which is a compliment. The show was the natural evolution of Green Materials Showcase, which Christi Graham has been organizing for several years. My only critique was the building. While I appreciated the historic character/architecture of Bill Graham Auditorium, it was very confusing finding speaker rooms. A small matter in a big operation, though.
I attended the show on Thursday and Friday, but not the homeowner day on Saturday. One of my clients, Green Key Real Estate, an exhibitor at the show, commented that despite the higher traffic numbers from homeowners, there was less interaction as they tended to pick up literature but be less able to engage. The interest in (residential) green building is definitely growing, however. Reports from Green Key, Valencia Green, Kollar Design, and others was very positive in terms of business development.
Despite the full conference pass, I only attended a few speaking sessions. I enjoyed the Production Home Builder discussion with Christopherson Homes. Amy Christopherson Bolten is Director of Community Relations and discussed the trials and tribulations of a production home builder embracing green thinking. Her important observation is that builders should start small (i.e., implementable) and work up over time. If you bite off too much, you’re bound to fail. Also, it’s important to verify what’s happening in the field. Despite what the plans specify, the subcontractor may be adhering to business as usual.
I also spoke to a lot of up and coming magazines that readers should keep an eye on including Sustainable Industries Journal (not new but regional), Green Light Magazine, Ecological Home Ideas, and others. Also, old favorite ENN will be modifying its format in 2007 to include much more original content.
All in all, it was a very good show. See everyone in Denver for GreenBuild. Please stop by our panel discussion on Thursday, November 16th.
