Conference Highlights

Conference Focus

The theme for GTH2012 – Building Community – emphasizes the diversity of people, businesses, and municipalities coming together to share visions and solutions for the sustainable Heartland communities in which we work, play, learn and live.

The GTH2012 programming specifically explores the interdependent elements of true community sustainability, as characterized by our conference tagline: Watts, Water, Waste and Wheels. Whereas green building projects are ideal components of sustainable community design, their ultimate advantage relies on addressing critical pathways and infrastructures for clean energy, clean water, a sustainable means of arrival, and the efficient use of material resources while minimizing waste.

GTH2012 attendees will gain a greater understanding of these concepts and similar environmental and economic trends of the maturing 21st century.

Conference Program

Daily Session Focus:

Each conference day includes plenary sessions that are organized around one of the “triple bottom line” tenets of Sustainability. A keynote address and additional plenary session are planned for each day.

Wednesday, May 16: Environment (Ecology)
Thursday, May 17: Technology (Economy)
Friday, May 18: Community (Equity)

Program Tracks for Breakout Sessions:

The GTH2012 program will be calling for speaker abstracts for breakout educational sessions which will be categorized into one of the following agenda tracks:

o Building & Design
o Green Tech & Infrastructure
o Ecology & Resources
o Community & Residential-Scale