San Luis Obispo, Calif -- Produced by SustainCommWorld (www.sustaincommworld.com) and hosted by the Graphic Communication Institute at Cal Poly (www.grci.calpoly.edu), the 2nd Annual "The Business of Green Media" sustainability conference held on January 22 attracted a national audience.

They came from 17 states and 55 organizations including companies, associations, universities, and government agencies. It attracted 22 sponsors including printers, vendors, software developers, media, and associations.

Some of the attendee comments were:

"It provided more perspective in how other companies were applying sustainability to their business models and some of the challenges that were perceived or anticipated by industry professional."

"It was good to get an update on where the industry is heading regarding sustainability and to learn more about what other companies are doing."

"Very informative and educational presentations and speakers."

"Good way to get up to speed in leading issues in sustainable media."

"Great presenters on a very timely topic!"

"I felt I walked away with valuable information that I could apply to my plant."

"A chance to think about the intersection between green issues that impact both digital and print media."

"The industry must be aware of the changes around us and it's not just in technology. Being 'Green' means more than you think and hearing what industry experts are saying will help you survive and thrive in the future."

"If you are serious about staying in business in the coming years you cannot avoid the issue of sustainability. You can wait for regulations to come down and scramble to comply or you can prepare and be a leader in the graphic arts industry."

"This conference was one step in getting informed and inspired, learning how the communication and sustainability industry can work together to gather practical advice from leaders that have 'walked the talk.'"

Keynote speaker Christina Page, Director, Climate and Energy Strategy, Yahoo! provided insight into a high-level corporate commitment to resource sustainability. She discussed steps Yahoo! had undertaken to reduce its energy footprint and the creative approaches to improve their carbon profile going on across the enterprise.

Harvey Levenson, head of Cal Poly's Graphic Communication Department, said, "Never before had the graphic arts industry rallied behind a combined business and social cause as with sustainability. I've been monitoring the industry press over the past year and I am hard pressed to recall one publication--print or online--that has not addressed the sustainability issue on some level."

"It is a bottom line issue," Levenson said. "Print buyers increasingly want to work only with printers who are addressing sustainability and they want their printers to work only with equipment manufacturers and vendors that are supporting the issue. Hence, it is a revenue stream and profitability matter for the graphic arts industry."

Lisa Wellman, president of SustainCommWorld, said, "This is the pressing issue of our time. Every C-level executive should be assessing the risks of inaction and exploring the upside of managing to a triple bottom line. The conference speakers presented real opportunities that, at this time in the market especially, no company should be ignoring."

In introducing the conference, Levenson said, "No printing process is exempt from the governmental requirements and social responsibility of developing sustainable practices. It is also imperative to show current and prospective customers that measures are being taken to protect the environment. All processes from toner-based and inkjet to gravure are expected to comply. Printing, publishing, and packaging companies have an equal stake in supporting sustainability because they are being scrutinized by print buyers and the public about what they are doing to support sustainability."

For additional information contact:

SustainCommWorld
805-524-6970
[email protected]