Interface’s Ray Anderson to Keynote SF Mart Green Show Visionary Leader to Share Passion for a Better Way Plus, Additional Seminar Added to Conference
SAN FRANCISCO, California, August 22 /San Francisco Mart/ --- Ray Anderson, founder and chairman of Interface, Inc. and an innovator in sustainable business practices, will give a special keynote lunch entitled “A Better Way. Try It!” on Thursday, September 20 during the San Francisco Mart’s Live Green, Live Well sustainable home furnishings and design show. The event will be held from Noon-2 p.m.
During the luncheon, Anderson will share his story of how he became a pioneer in corporate sustainability. Interface is the world's largest manufacturer of modular carpet for commercial and residential applications and a leading producer of commercial broadloom and commercial fabrics. Anderson is known in environmental circles for his advanced and progressive stance on industrial ecology and sustainability. Under his leadership, the company has reduced its environmental footprint significantly, redesigning processes and products, pioneering new technologies and reducing or eliminating waste and harmful emissions while increasing the use of renewable materials and sources of energy. In fact, Interface has reduced its waste by a more than a third, and plans to be sustainable by 2020.
Anderson is one of the world’s most environmentally progressive leaders on sustainable commerce, having served as co-chairman of the President’s Council on Sustainable Development during the Clinton administration, and being recognized by Mikhail Gorbachev with a Millennium Award from Global Green in September 1996. Anderson’s honors also include the prestigious George and Cynthia Mitchell International Prize for Sustainable Development, presented in 2001; the SAM-SPG Sustainability Leadership Award of 2001; the U.S. Green Building Council’s Inaugural Leadership Award, 2002; and the National Wildlife Federation Conservation Achievement Award for Corporate Leadership, 2002.
Anderson serves on the boards of The Natural Step, USA; The Georgia Conservancy; Upper Chattahoochee Riverkeeper; Ida Cason Callaway Foundation; Rocky Mountain Institute; and the University of Texas Center for Sustainable Development. He is a member of the American Society of Interior Designers’ Board of Directors.
The cost to attend the lunch for ASID and SF Mart members is $60 by August 31 and $75 after August 31. The cost for all other industry professionals is $75 by August 31 and $90 after August 31. Reservations and pre-payment are required by September 12. To RSVP, e-mail or call . The keynote is being co-sponsored by ASID.
In addition to the Ray Anderson keynote, the Mart has added another eco-expert, Deborah Dunning of The GreenStandard.org. In her seminar, Distinguishing Between Greenwashed and Serious Green Products, Dunning will discuss the emerging global product information system and outline possibilities for using existing and new tools. She will distinguish between the various types of ecolabels, detailing what each does (and does not do) and which to use when working on a specific building type. Dunning will introduce participants to the value of using third party product certification programs as a core way of differentiating between greenwash and serious green She will also describe a range of certification tools, distinguishing what each does and how a building professional might use several together to achieve solid green purchasing
For the past eight years, Deborah Dunning has led The Green Standard.org (nee The International Design Center for the Environment), a not for profit organization whose mission is to advance a sustainable world by providing education, technology and training on green product design, evaluation, and selection. She was project director for “The EPA KnowRoom” a 3,000 square foot exhibit on green building design, construction and product selection. Deborah serves as a member of the “LCA into LEED” project of the U.S. Green Building Council, as a member of the Stakeholder Council of the Business & Institutional Furniture Manufacturers Association and of the Carpet & Rug Institute. Additionally, she volunteers for a task force of the Life Cycle Initiative of the UN Environment Program.
The Live Green, Live Well expo will be open from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Wednesday, September 19, earmarked as the education day co-sponsored by ASID, and from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. on Thursday, September 20. Entrance to the expo is complimentary to all trade professionals. Fees will be charged for all seminars. Advance reservations and prepayment are required. Visit www.sfmart.com/livegreen for seminar pricing. To RSVP, e-mail or call .
The San Francisco Mart is one of Northern California's premier wholesale design centers. Built in 1937 as the home of the Western Merchandise Exchange, the historic art-deco building continues to serve as a home furnishings and home accents center open to the trade only. Conveniently located in San Francisco’s Civic Center area, the SF Mart is situated close to freeways, public transit, major hotels, restaurants and other attractions.
To become an exhibitor, contact Dawn McCann at or . For registration information, contact Guest Services at or .
September 19 & 20
Live Green, Live Well
Design + Home Furnishings Show
at the San Francisco Mart
The Design Industry’s First Dedicated Green Expo!
Displays, Discussions, Didactics & Demonstrations
10 a.m. – 5 p.m. September 19
10 a.m. – 7 p.m. September 20
Source: San Francisco Mart
CONTACT: Media Contact: Ellen Hall,
Website: www.sfmart.com/livegreen
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