Syracuse University

New York state businesses and organizations are invited to attend a special
conference that will offer solutions and practical approaches to creating sustainable
operations that are also cost efficient. The conference, "Benefit the Planet and Your
Bottom Line: Sustainability Strategies for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises," is
presented by the Sustainable Enterprise Partnership (SEP) and will be held
Thursday, Oct. 30, from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. at Syracuse University's Whitman School of
Management.

Small- and medium-sized organizations are encouraged to attend the seminar to
better understand the meaning of sustainability for small and medium-sized
enterprises and the key environmental challenges facing such organizations. Through
presentations, panel discussions and hands-on activity, participants will learn how to
develop short- and long-term energy use strategies that achieve cost savings in
operations.

Featured presenters at the conference include:

• W. Brewster Earle, president, Comfort Systems USA Energy Services, LEED
  AP;
  
• J. Kemper Matt Jr., vice president, Dupli Envelope & Graphics;
  
• Joanna Gomez, Flex Tech Program, NYSERDA;
  
• Tracie Hall, executive director, U.S. Green Building Council, New York
  Upstate Chapter;
  
• Frederick C. Carranti, director, US-DOE Industrial Assessment Center;
  
• Lisa B. Cleckner, assistant director of operations, Syracuse CoE;
  
• Mike Kelleher, director, Renewable Energy Systems, SUNY College of
  Environmental Science and Forestry; and
  
• Elet Callahan, professor, Whitman School of Management.
  

The Whitman School, SUNY-ESF and the Syracuse CoE launched the SEP (formerly
the Sustainable Business Collaboration) as a distinctive transdisciplinary approach to
world-class education and research on business and sustainability. A collaborative
effort involving faculty and researchers from the three partnering institutions, the
SEP utilizes combined strengths to provide insight into the best practices and policies
for various sizes of enterprises; metrics for sustainable efforts; implementation
strategies; and associated long-term benefits to an organization and the community.

Conference registration is limited to 50 participants, and an organic lunch will be
served. Outreach partners for the conference include
The Greater Syracuse Chamber of Commerce, the United Way of Central New York
and the U.S. Green Building Council, New York Upstate Chapter. Schedule and
registration information is available at http://whitman.syr.edu/sustainabilityseminar.