Connecting Our Local Economy

"Building New Networks"

You are invited to join local business leaders from throughout Greater Boston for SBN's Annual Conference on Sustainable Business.

Thursday, June 3, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm

Hibernian Hall, 184 Dudley Street, Roxbury, MA 02119

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This year's conference will focus on:

• Transforming our local food economy
  
• Greening local businesses and reducing our carbon footprint
• Growing and sustaining local businesses and building local entrepreneurship

Keynote Speakers:

• Woody Tasch, Chairman and President of Slow Money
  
• Robert Glassman, Co-Founder and Co-Chairman of Wainwright Bank & Trust Co.

8:00 am - Registration & Continental Breakfast

8:30 am - Welcome & Introduction

8:45 am - Opening Keynote Speaker, Woody Tasch

10:15 am - Break

10:30 am - 12:00 pm Morning Interactive Workshops:
"Local  business is the key to a strong local food system--The evolution of a food entrepreneur!"

"How Coop's Compete in the Free Enterprise System--Making Business Democracy Real."

"Building Local Economies Throughout New England."

12:00 pm - Lunch

1 pm - 2:30 pm Afternoon Interactive Workshops:
"The Greening of Local Independent Businesses"

"Localized Economic Development in Upham's Corner in Dorchester"

"Growing a Strong Local and Regional Food System"

2:30 pm - Break

3:00 pm - Closing Keynote Speaker, Robert Glassman

4:30 pm - Adjourn

It pays to be Local, Green, and Fair. Don't miss this fantastic opportunity to grow your business and build a strong local economy.

SBN Members Click Here

Non-Members Click Here

Half Day Price:

SBN Members($55) Click Here

Non-Members($65) Click Here

For sponsorship opportunities please contact Adritha at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

5:00 – 6:15 pm

Needham-Wellesley Room, Olin Hall, Babson College

As consumers, the food industry touches us all. As ethical business students, we have a responsibility to understand its mechanics. In the U.S., retail food is a trillion dollar industry. Add agriculture and that figure approaches two trillion. Beyond popular topics of taste and cuisine, an informed understanding of the industry demands that we look at the issues in our food system. It is our aim that this event will raise awareness within our community and serve as a springboard to future discussion and action.

The Issues

In an effort to deliver tangible value in 1-½ hours, we will tackle only 3 or 4 of the core topics below. Choices will be based on the panelists’ individual expertise and the presumed interests of our audience.

• Nutrition
• The global food crisis
• Responsible sourcing
• Waste management
• Sustainable “premiums” and the true costs of food
• Financing sustainable agriculture
• Access – school lunch program, urban agriculture
• Career opportunities and entrepreneurship in sustainable food

Panelists

• Willow Blish, Chapter Leader, Slow Food Boston
• Alice Leung, Founder and CEO, Top Sprouts (Babson MBA ’09)
• Lee Kane, Regional Forager and Eco Czar, Whole Foods Market
• Social-investing panel seat – TBD

Target Audience

We anticipate two audiences: Newbies and Networkers. Newbies have minimal knowledge of the industry. Their takeaway is tangible initial data, which we hope will serve to inform their future choices both as consumers and business leaders. Networkers are familiar with the landscape. Their takeaway is networking opportunities with panelists and one another.

To RSVP or for additional information please contact Rachel Greenberger at:  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Leadership for Change Proudly Presents:

A Public Conversation on Sustainability: Business, the Environment & Social Justice

Friday, February 5, 2010
8:30 am-5:00 pm
Boston College, Gasson 100

You are invited to participate in a public seminar and dialog on sustainability practices with business leaders, community members, and scholars. Our conversation will include representatives from Staples, Genzyme, Harvard University, US Fish and Wildlife Service, William A. Berry & Sons, Inc., and The United Illuminating Company.

This event is sponsored by Leadership for Change, a program of the Winston Center for Leadership and Ethics at Boston College.

The $25 Seminar fee includes lunch.

Receive a $10 discount if you are Leadership for Change Alumni, Boston College Alumni, or SBN Member. RSVP by January 29 to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

For more information please contact Rebecca Rowley at 617-552-2709.

Eat Local Food & Meet Local People: Tuesday, January 12th 6:30-9:00

This event is currently sold out! Please check back soon for information on future ALLocal Dinners.

SBN is hosting its third ALLocal Dinner in Lexington at Nourish, a new restaurant owned by former SBN board member, Karen Masterson. All ingredients in the four course meal will be sourced, processed, delivered, prepared and eaten! as close to Lexington as possible, stretching out through MA into New England. In January, an all local meal is a real challenge and Organic Renaissance of Lexington has agreed to source and provide the local ingredients as a sponsor. Between courses, guests will shift places for more meeting opportunities and Karen will speak about her commitment as a community focused restaurant to work with area farms and businesses. Attended by food growers, producers, distributors, retailers, writers, etc., these evenings sell out very quickly.

What: Four Course Meal with owner's description of the food sources. Rotating seats every course for great meeting opportunities. Prepared with 100% New England grown and processed food. Sponsored by SBN & Organic Renaissance

Where: nourish, 1727 Massachusetts Avenue, Lexington, MA In Lexington Center right by the Minuteman Bike Trail

When: Tuesday, January 12th from 6:30 - 9:00 pm

Cocktails, Networking, Seating: 6:30pm

Dinner begins: 7 pm and seating rotates every course

Menu: 4 courses with choice of a vegan or poultry entree

Price: $40 Transportation: MBTA bus routes #62 and #76, serving Alewife Station, stop nearby Parking available in the lot directly behind the restaurant

Funds Benefit: Sustainable Business Network's Local Food Committee