Co-op America Business Network: the Original Socially Responsible Business Network
Questions?
Have questions about us?
Email using our web-based e-mail form or call us at 1-202-872-5330.

Credit Card Processing
We're now offering competitive credit card processing service to our members. Get top-quality service while supporting low-income communities.

Learn more about credit card processing »

Get Green Market Research
Green Marketplace
Check out our Green Marketplace Guide »

Connections Newsletter - Newsletter of the Co-op America Business Network and the Social Investment Forum

Announcements

March 9, 2006

Green Festival Grows: Chicago to host to Green Festival in April 2007

Touted as the Greenest City in the US, Chicago will host Green Festival April 21-22, 2007.

The Green Festival will be a focal point of the city’s 2007 Earth Day celebrations and showcase the abundance of Chicago’s green initiatives and programs including their Green Roofs. The city is proud to point to their program which includes the Chicago City Hall’s green roof.

“We are excited to be expanding the Green Festival to the Midwest in 2007,” said Co-op America Executive Director, Alisa Gravitz., “Chicago has welcomed us with open arms. Their environmental initiatives are indeed a model for other US cities, and we look forward to having the Green Festival as a place for the city and its citizens to celebrate what is working in their communities.”

The San Francisco Green Festival will expand to three days, starting on Friday Nov 10th. “The demand is there and the crowds are huge”, said co-executive producer Kevin Danaher of Global Exchange, “everyone wants the event to grow—the exhibitors and the attendees—the event is a huge success for the green economy in the bay area.”

The Washington, DC Green Festival event has moved to a new hall, where plenty of natural light and added space will combine to make it an amazing event in October.

Save the dates now for these three big Green Festivals

Washington DC—October 14-15, 2006
San Francisco—November 10-12, 2006
Chicago—April 21-22. 2007

Visit www.greenfestivals.org or call 877-727-2179 to reserve booth space » Sales begin April 1, 2006.


Green Business Conference

San Francisco—November 7-10, 2006


A sold-out Green Business Conference provided inspiration and networking opportunities to the 300 green business leaders.

Make plans now to attend the 4th annual Green Business Conference in San Francisco, Nov. 7-10. Last year's event was a huge success: 84 percent reported making meaningful business connections through the meetings, workshops, and networking opportunities presented at the conference.

“It was a tremendous event,” said Rebecca Reynolds, president of Green Clean, Inc. in Cleveland, Ohio. “The speakers were informative, motivational, and inspiring beyond words. Well worth the cross-country trip.”

Stay tuned for more information and registration for this year’s conference »

Renew Your Membership, Get a FREE Book on Growing Green Businesses

Ever ask yourself: How do I grow my business while remaining true to my mission?

This is indeed a question that many Co-op America Business Members have posed to us over the years as they struggle to grow and raise capital.

So when we read the new book Getting to Scale: Growing Your Business without Selling Out, we knew it would resonate with many of you.

So we decided to offer it as a gift when you renew your annual membership dues. If you renew at $100 or more—this book is yours FREE! Watch for this in your mailbox later this year.

Author and green business professor Jill Bamburg is a Co-op America member and has worked with us for many years. “In writing this book, I used many of Co-op America’s Green Business Network™ members as case studies,” said Jill, “Companies like Birkenstock, Hemptown Clothing, Gardener’s Supply, and Organic Valley are leading the way with creative financing and growth strategies.”

Renew your membership today »

Famous Cover Artist Needed for Green Pages

The 2007 National Green Pages™ will continue our famous artist series. We are searching for the next cover artist! Past cover have been produced by Peter Max, Warren Kimble, Sara Steele and green business owner of Moosewood Cookbook fame, Mollie Katzen.

Send your ideas by e-mail or call 202-872-5336

CABN Members: Show Your Green Business Seal of Approval in 2006

Now it’s easier than ever to display your commitment to people and the planet.

The Seal of Approval is for use exclusively by Co-op America's Green Business Network™ members. "The seal is the perfect way to show the world that Co-op America businesses have made a commitment to people and the planet. Working together, green businesses across the country are changing the way people shop, save, and invest," says CABN director Denise Hamler.

Let us know how you are using the seal »

See how one business is using the seal »

Learn more about the seal »

Upcoming Conferences Feature Speakers From Co-op America

Come to the Green to Gold Conference in Prescott, Arizona, March 23 and 24, to hear Co-op America Executive Director Alisa Gravitz speak about helping companies go green—everything from encouraging the magazine industry to use recycled paper, to expanding the market for solar energy, to reforming predatory lending practices by financial institutions.

Also, Co-op America’s green business director, Denise Hamler, will be speaking at the Fourth International Business Alliance for Local Living Economies (BALLE) conference, June 8 – 10, in Burlington, Vermont. Joining her will be speakers like Frances Moore Lappe, author of Diet for a New Planet; Bill McKibben, journalist and author of The End of Nature; and Gary Erickson, founder of Clif Bar.

Learn more or register for the Green to Gold conference »

Learn more or register for the BALLE conference »