GPCOG Forums/Workshops

GPCOG Sustainability Forum Series

The Fall Forum entitled: "Toward a Sustainable Regional Economy" which was originally scheduled for December 10, 2008 HAS BEEN POSTPONED TO MARCH 27, 2009.  The March forum will be an expanded program and will still feature Keynote Speaker Michael Shuman. 

Michael Shuman, attorney and economist, is Vice President for Enterprise Development for the Training & Development Corporation (TDC).  He has authored many books about local economies including:

• The Small-Mart Revolution:  How Local Businesses are Beating the Global Competition (Berrett-Koehler, 2006).
• Going Local:  Creating Self-Reliant Communities in the Global Age (Free Press, 1998).

Shuman has also appeared on numerous television and radio shows, such as the Lehrer News Hour and NPR's "Talk of the Nation," and is a periodic commentator on NPR's "All Things Considered."

Stay tuned for more details....

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GPCOG's First Forum in the Sustainable Forum Series was held on March 21, 2008 and was entitled: "Preparing our Region for a Sustainable Energy Future."

The Greater Portland Council of Governments held its first forum in a series on sustainability on March 21, 2008.  The forum, entitled Preparing our Region for a Sustainable Energy Future, featured Charlie Stephens of Oak Grove, Oregon. 

A former Senior Policy Analyst with the Oregon Department of Energy, Mr. Stephens created Oregon’s Sustainable Building Tax Credit Program and is a leading expert on sustainable community development, energy efficiency strategies and new technologies.  

Exhibitors

In addition to our featured speaker and interactive panel with the audience, exhibitors displayed information on various sustainable products and services. Exhibitors included:  Amtrak Downeaster; Assured Solar; Bicycle Coalition of Maine; Clean Air-Cool Planet; EVMaine.org; GoMaine; Governor's Carbon Challenge (Maine Dept of Energy); Greater Portland Council of Governments; GrowSmart Maine; ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability USA; Maine Clean Communities; Maine Electric Vehicles; Maine Interfaith Power and Light; Maine Partners for Cool Communities; METRO; Muskie School of Public Service; Natural Resources Council of Maine; Portland Green Streets; Portland Trails; ReVision Energy, LLC; The Sunrise Guide; USM School of Business--Center for Business & Economic Research; USM Office of Environmental Sustainability; and Waste Management and Recycling (State Planning Office).