UT Sustainable Business Summit

Last Friday, February 5, 2010 Emily Kahn, Founder of Green Fern Events had the honor of participating as a panelist for the UT Sustainable Business Summit. The panel session was entitled "Global Recession and its Impact on Sustainability". Other panelists included Amy Page, Chief Ozone Officer, Blue Avacado, Adam Morehead, Principal, Texas Business Group, Kasia Wood, Sales Manager, Handemade Expressions, and Niyanta Spelman, Executive Director, Rainforest Partnerships.

"Not only was it interesting to have interactive discussions with the audience, Kahn said, "it was also great to hear from fellow panelists regarding their perspective".

While the overall events and tourism industry has definitely suffered a few blows, efforts to produce sustainable meetings and events is still on the rise. "It's becoming standard practice for any smart business," Kahn said. "Not only to make your business more sustainable but to apply best green practices and values (efficiency, reducing waste, recycling, managing carbon etc.) towards the events you produce as well."

Solar Santa - Solar Powered Lights & Decorations for the Holiidays

When decorating your home and garden for the holidays, check out these new solar-powered LED lighting options. Solar Santa sells a variety of products, from solar-powered string lights, to wreaths, to solar tree lights. Be sure to place the solar-cell in the sunniest spot in order to gain the most power for them to remain lit well into the night. If you decide the solar-powered LED's our too expensive for your taste at least purchase LED over incandescent. LEDs are much better for the environment, reduce fire risk, should last longer and eventually save you money. SOLAR SANTA

Green Fern's Top 5 Tips for Planning a Green Event

Green Business Networking Event of the Season - Huge Success!

We had a great turnout last evening for "The Green Business Networking Event of the Season" co-hosted by Texas Green Network, Austin EcoNetwork and Eco Series. Thank you Roland and Amanda of Eco Series and to Threshold Furniture & Design for donating the space for this special occasion.

Green Fern Events was a sponsor for this event and it was great exposure for us. Everything turned out PERFECT and we couldn't have asked for a better group of people. There are many reasons why I love this city but what I love most is the COMMUNITY. Everyone was connecting and networking and genuinely enjoying each other's company. The music was fabulous. Thank you Fifth Nation - and for your moving environmental lyrics! The food was fabulous. Thank you Spoon & Co. & Dishalicious! The drinks were quite tasty too! Beverages were provided by Live Oak Brewery, Sesa Tea, Texas Water Co., Maine Root, and Habitat Suites Hotel donated the wine. Oh, and my friend and colleague Monique Capanelli of Articulture Designs, raffled one of her incredibly gorgeous and sustainable centerpieces for a lucky guest to take home. It was a fabulous evening and if you couldn't make it this time, we hope to see you next year should we decide to make this an annual affair.

Green Fern Events Sponsors "THE Green Business Networking Event of the Season"

Green Fern Events is pleased to announce we will be co-sponsoring "The Green Business Networking Event of the Season" next Wednesday, October 21 from 6-9pm at The Monarch Building - downtown Austin. The event is co-hosted by Texas Green Network, Austin EcoNetwork, and Eco Series and will feature LOCAL food catered by Spoon & Co./Dishalicious, LOCAL beverages provided by Maine Root, Sesa Tea, and Live Oak Beer, with live music by Fifth Nation.

For more information and/or to sign up for this event please click on the links below.

REGISTER HERE

DOWNLOADABLE PDF INVITATION

10th Annual Renewable Energy Roundup & Green Living Fair

I attended the 10th Annual Renewable Energy Roundup & Green Living Fair this past weekend in Fredricksburg, TX. Even though it was an uncomfortably warm weekend weather wise, the event seemed to have a great turnout. My husband (who is starting a renewable energy consulting business) said he got a lot of value networking with exhibitors as well as sitting in on numerous presentations. I too enjoyed networking with the exhibitors although spent most of the day chasing around and playing with my 20-month old son! There was an electric-powered train ride for the young kids that we road once or twice and the older kids enjoyed making solar-powered ovens out of pizza boxes and constructing solar-powered toy cars. I was impressed too with the little amount of waste produced at this fair. Most people brought their personal water bottles to fill at various water stations and to my knowledge none of the vendors sold bottled water. For more information visit the website.

Soji Solar Lanterns

Check out these modern solar-powered LED lanterns. They collect power from the sun all day and then turn themselves on at night to cast a beautiful shimmering glow. Because each lantern is hand-made and constructed with a silk-like material they are a little more expensive than your typical paper lantern. They are great for any outdoor wedding or special event. According to the company, each lantern (if set in direct sunlight all day) should glow up to 4-6 hours at night. I haven't had a chance to check this out personally yet but hopefully they last as long as they say. To learn more about LED solar-powered lanterns please visit here.