The Illinois Green Business Summit 2013: Ingredients for Change registration is now OPEN! The event will be held on Tuesday, October 15th at the Tinley Park Convention Center, easily accessible from Chicago and both Central and Downstate IL, as it's right off of I-57.

Join us to discuss the “Ingredients for Change” – beyond the low-hanging fruit, what are effective sustainable practices, equipment, and strategies for greening your organization? Pave new paths and create new partnerships  by coming together at the 2013 Illinois Green Business Summit.

On October 14th, there will be an evening soiree and networking event to meet Summit attendees and learn even more about green business in Illinois. More details and schedule to come!

Our featured keynote speakers for the Summit will be announced soon – keep your eyes peeled!

Registration and Summit '13 landing page can be found here.

 

 

Last night was the first dinner fundraiser in the local community for IGBA -- thanks to Minneci's Ristorante in Champaign for offering to host!

Minneci's offered a special "low impact menu" with organic and locally sourced foods and low-prep impact (low natural gas use in oven), such as spinach tortellini, fettuccine alfredo, pasta arabiatta, and eggplant parmesan. On the back of the special menu Minneci's listed their electricity, gas, and water costs before and after working with IGBA's green certification, and they are currently reaping $397 in monthly utility savings!

Minneci's then listed on the back of the menu what green practices they have spent of their savings on: things like a tankless water heater, high efficiency light bulbs, recycled non-bleached paper products, a 15 SEER HVAC system, and ENERGY STAR rated equipment.

Thanks to the Green-Out, IGBA got funds to host several Green Drink events in the future. We hope to continue these fundraiser dinners at other restaurants!

 

IGBA has been recognized in a GreenBiz.com article featuring third party green certifications for businesses.

IGBA was given a 5/6 ranking, second highest out of nine nationally known third party certification bodies, for its “Trust Factor” – including factors such as cost, outcomes, and claim verification considerations for its certification program. 

The full article (published 2/21) can be viewed here:

http://www.greenbiz.com/blog/2013/02/21/how-get-real-green-certifications 

IGBA has won the 2013 Champaign County Innovation Celebration Award in the field of Social Entrepreneurship.

There were 28 nominees for ten awards. More than 200 people attended the awards ceremony, held in the National Center for Supercomputing Applications.

Read about the other winners >>

 

On a day showered in red and pink, how does one stay *green?* With IGBA's tips, thanks to our helpful interns, check out these 5 ways to spend this Valentine's Day *being thoughtful of both your sweetheart AND the environment!*

1. Save Trees -- Send an E-card!
According to Hallmark's website, "Approximately 151 million Valentine's Day cards are exchanged industry-wide (not including packaged kids' valentines for classroom exchanges)." To put that into perspective, if you were to line up every card purchased, they could reach across the United States AND back - that's a lot of cards, and a lot of trees! 

The Internet offers many great options to send free eCards, and here are a few we like: 
www.jibjab.com
www.care2.com
www.egreetings.com

2. Support Your Local Florist
Support your community by purchasing locally! Many large corporations use pesticides and other chemicals which damage the environment. In addition to promoting healthy working conditions, supporting sustainable gardening also helps your community by keeping the monetary circulation local. Don't have a local florist near you? There are many online businesses that work to provide eco-friendly flowers; to help get you started, here is a helpful list: www.justmeans.com.  

We are happy to announce that IGBA now has a fourth full-time staff member! Ryan Wolber will be the new Certification Manager to help service IGBA businesses through the certification process. Ryan is a LEED Green Associate and a graduate of Illinois State University, with degrees in Renewable Energy and Economics. He also worked as a Program Manager at the ISU Office of Sustainability and guided a carbon impact assessment for the entire University. His goal is to help businesses and communities realize the benefits of sustainability and help them adopt greener practices, and he hopes to do that in working with IGBA! We are so excited to have Ryan on board. 

Read about all the IGBA staff

 

One of the goals of the PlanItGreen Sustainability Plan for Oak Park and River Forest is to help local businesses achieve greater sustainability and improve profit margins by implementing green business practices such as energy efficiency, water conservation, and smart purchasing.

Oak Park and River Forest Businesses will have two options to make their businesses more sustainable in 2013, thanks to generous support from the Oak Park – River Forest Community Foundation. The two, year-long programs are slated to kick-off in January 2013 and will offer a total of 40 Oak Park and River Forest Businesses the chance to grow their businesses green. 

The Oak Park Development Corporation and Triton College, in partnership with the Illinois Green Business Association, are collaborating to implement these innovative pilot programs. Businesses that already incorporate sustainable practices into their operations are sure to be intrigued by the opportunity to become IGBA-certified. The certification requirements are in alignment with nationally-vetted standards, tailored to Illinois, and delivered by the Triton College Sustainability Center.

In this pilot program, certification fees are waived, but businesses will receive full certification upon completion of the requirements. Triton’s sustainability professionals will be there every step of the way, assuring that participating businesses will receive a personalized plan and hands-on consultation as they move toward completion.

Triton College is part of the Illinois Green Economy Network, Illinois community colleges working together to grow a greener economy in Illinois. For businesses that would like to learn more about this program, please contact the Triton College Sustainability Center at 708-466-4578, or contact IGBA. 

More on Oak Park River Forest Wednesday Journal >>

 

The Illinois Green Business Association is currently looking for talented, business and sustainability minded individuals to fill the position of Certification Manager. The Certification Manager is a new position for the IGBA that would focus on working with businesses, standards, and consulting/certification services for the IGBA Green Business Certification Program. Read the full description (PDF) >>

IGBA will be conducting a search between the months of November and December, with an intent to hire in the first quarter of 2013.

IGBA is no longer accepting applications. 

 

We are happy to announce a partnership that will help IGBA expand our reach to small businesses in the Central Illinois region.The Economic Development Council of Bloomington-Normal will soon be housing a part-time intern to help get businesses enrolled in IGBA’s green business certification program. 

The EDC of Bloomington-Normal “leads initiatives to help businesses and communities in the McLean County area prosper.” They would like to help bring GREEN BUSINESS to their community by providing in-house services to help businesses be more sustainable! 

IGBA is excited to expand to Bloomington-Normal and harbor services to create a more sustainable business community.  

 

You may remember that IGBA’s Direct Install Program has installed over 15,000 efficient faucet aerators in over 500 businesses in Central Illinois, as part of Ameren Illinois’ ActOnEnergy©Programs. Well, we aren’t stopping there! 

Partnering with Nicor Gas on their Small Business Energy Savings (SBES) incentives, IGBA has begun installing low flow pre-rinse spray valves in restaurant handwashing stations to save water! (What's even better than that? It's free!)

These new spray nozzles only run at 1.25 gpm whereas standard spray valves run around 4.0 gpm. These could save a typical small business $750 per year!

The Nicor Gas Energy Efficiency Program provides rebates and incentives to help businesses and residents save energy and money. For more information on efficiency programs and  small business rebates, click here! 

If you have a business in Nicor's territory and would like to sign up for a free installation, contact us!

 

The First Illinois Green Business Summit was a smashing success!! 

We heard Joel Makower from GreenBiz.com talk about the national green business scene and why telling your green story is important. Jim Hartzfeld of Interface Inc. talked about the transformation of a company widely regarded as one of the most sustainable manufacturers in the country, and how it affected their bottom line. Cassie Carroll presented the EVP of Busey Corporation and IGBA Board President Donald Schlorff with the 2012 Green Champion Award for his hard work with Busey and dedication to IGBA. 40 speakers on nine panels discussed practical sustainability practices -- the challenges of going green, and demonstrated examples of successes and benefits from industry professionals that can be replicated in your business. Speakers touched on reducing consumption, green certifications and technology, local purchasing, transformations in the food industry, financial incentive programs for sustainable projects, creating a sustainable company culture, and more. 

It was a great day for GREEN! Lots of new connections were made throughout the state, forging the way to better connectivity and collaboration in promoting sustainable business in Illinois.

See pics from the Summit on facebook! >>

 

Getting back to the grind of post-Summit life here at the IGBA office; PowerPoint presentations, videos, and pictures of the Illinois Green Business Summit to come soon!!

**We CANNOT THANK EVERYONE ENOUGH for helping make the First Summit such a huge success! From the attendees, our wonderful exhibitors & sponsors, to the volunteers, the planning committee, and IGBA board, this Summit truly took a dedicated [green] community to materialize. 

Joel Makower kicked it all off with an inspiring national perspective, of how green business is evolving to mean just "good business" and why we need to tell our company's sustainability success stories. During the three session times, attendees heard new information, old information that needs to be heard again, and *inspiring stories* that will help them return to their organizations with a renewed vigor. Panel moderators led great discussions the last half hour of each session, encouraging questions and real conversation. During lunch, Cassie Carroll from IGBA presented EVP Corporate Administration at Busey and IGBA Board President Donald Schlorff with the first IGBA Green Champaign award for his work with Busey and IGBA. Jim Hartzfeld talked about the Interface story and how "crazy" turned into great business, and how Interface continues to lead the way. 

Great networking and new interpersonal connections were made as people visited the many exhibitor booths and met new acquaintances during lunch and the two snack breaks. The entire atmosphere throughout the day was energetic and uplifting.

We hope Summit attendees return to their organizations with new ideas and greener thinking. The First IL Green Business Summit is a launching pad for greater things, and IGBA couldn't be more thrilled with how the day played out. We can't wait for 2013!

Sincerely,

The IGBA Team 

 

Mark Your Calendars! We can't wait for the Illinois Green Business Summit 2012 on September 7th. Great keynotes and over 40 speakers, over 20 exhibitors and sponsors, great food and networking opportunities.

Don't forget to mark your calendars and register! 

 

Join us this Saturday to celebrate Busey's tremendous achievement in earning green certification with IGBA corporation-wide! 

Also, in case you missed it on the morning news in Central Illinois, check out this clip on WCIA of Busey's EVP of Corporate Administration, Don Schlorff, on Busey's green initiatives and the state of green certifications in Illinois!

 

We are proud to announce that after almost two years of behind-the-scenes collaboration to assess all 44 of Busey's facilities in the Midwest U.S. and Florida, Busey is now a Certified Green Business with IGBA!

“As community members it is important that we look at improving our quality of life now and for the future. Taking a proactive approach to finding the best way to use our resources will allow us to meet this goal,” says Don Schlorff, Executive Vice President of Corporate Administration at Busey. “By carefully reviewing how we do business, we are making changes that positively impact our organization and also improving the communities we serve.” 

Read More on Busey's Commitment to Going Green>>

Watch a Video on Busey's Certification >> 

 read more ...

New Sponsors! Thanks to One Main Development and Ameren Illinois for sponsoring at the Bronze Level! Interested in becoming a Sponsor? >>

If you haven't heard about the Thursday night green networking event (Sept. 6th) at the LEED Platinum Business Instructional Facility at the the University of Illinois from 5:30-8:30 pm, it will be hosted by Gold sponsor Busey and is free & open to the public! We hope that you will be able to make it. 

If you're wondering what you'll be hearing about at the Illinois Green Business Summit, we've narrowed it down to three major themes.

Have a look at the topics: 

1) Where's the Green? Financing and Managing Sustainable Projects

• Incentives and Policies for Sustainable Business Programs: A Perspective from Ernst & Young
• Why Waste? How to Reduce Water, Energy and Material Consumption
• Private and Public Sector Financing Programs

2) Why Green Makes Cents: Green Business Certification

• Certification - Why it is Important for Economic Transformation
• Creating a Company Culture around Sustainability
• Integrating Green Technology: Current and Future 

3) Growing a Green Economy: How to Bring it Home

• Farm to Table: Transformations in the Food Industry
• Growing Green Economies in Illinois
• Sustainable Purchasing and Local Sourcing

Keep in the loop for more news and info about the session panelists! 

 

We're proud to have some great supporters of green business in Illinois working together to make the Summit possible. Meet the initial lineup of the Summit Sponsors:

Platinum Sponsor: The University of Illinois' Office of Public Engagement 

Platinum Sponsor: The University of Illinois' Academy for Entrepreneurial Leadership (AEL)

Gold Sponsor: Busey

AM Break: Illinois State University College of Business

PM Break: Radius Custom Solutions Group 

There's still time to get your business or organization on board and support as a Sponsor, too! Register here and feel free to call us at (217) 531-2179 anytime.

 

Last chance to get the early bird rate of $95 for registration to the first Illinois Green Business Summit! Early Bird rates end this Friday, 6/15.

You don't want to miss Joel Makower or Jim Hartzfeld speaking on September 7th on national green business trends and case examples, or to learn about sustainable local economies, green purchasing, financing sustainable projects, new tech and innovations, and green certification.

You'll also be able to network with other business leaders, municipal representatives, service providers and more... and try some local foods!

Read more about the Summit and don't forget to register to take advantage of this great opportunity!

 

IGBA now has a Green Tip in the Central Illinois Business magazine, a monthly publication that covers news, business, and sports in East Central Illinois. 

Read it here >>

Check back for next month's installment!

 

We are very excited to welcome not one, not two, but THREE new members to IGBA's Board of Directors! 

WELCOME Donald Fournier, recently retired Managing Director of the Smart Energy Design Assistance Center, Rebecca McBride, Senior Associate Director of Krannert Center for the Performing Arts in Urbana, and Marty Vanags, Executive Director of the Bloomington-Normal EDC and first non-Champaign County member of the IGBA Board. 

These three dynamic leaders will be joining the IGBA team to bring their expertise and assistance with cross-community collaboration, helping IGBA spread knowledge and offer a helping hand to businesses and organizations around the state. Read more about IGBA's Board here >>

 

The Illinois Green Business Association (IGBA) invites you to join us this September 6th and 7th to learn about the state of green business in Illinois and beyond.

Topics covered will include: financing your building and equipment upgrades, green business certification, resource conservation, green technologies, and local economies. 

Keynote speakers: Joel Makower of Greenbiz.com and Jim Hartzfeld of InterfaceRAISE

Joel Makower is executive editor of GreenBiz.com, author of Strategies for the Green Economy.

Jim Hartzfeld is Managing Director of InterfaceRAISE, the consulting and teaching arm of Interface – one of the most sustainable companies in America. 

Exhibitors and corporate sponsors wanted! Call Cassie Carroll at 217.531.2179 / cassie@illinoisgba.com  for more information.

Early bird rate: $95; $145 after June 15, 2012. Registration includes a one year partnership – read more

Call for proposals – if you’re a leader in sustainable business we want to hear from you!

Get Registered >>

 

Our website won Best DotNetNuke Non-Profit CMS Site at the 2012 CMS Expo! 

Thanks Accuraty Solutions for the great design and vision for our site. We liked the site anyway, but it doesn't hurt to have the judges like it, too!

 

Registration for the 1st Annual Illinois Green Business Summit hosted by the Illinois Green Business Association is NOW OPEN!

Hear from keynote speakers Joel Makower and Jim Hartzfeld, voices of business sustainability, and join us to discuss sustainability practices, challenges of going green, demonstrated and practical examples of successes from industry professionals that can be replicated in your business, and much more! 

You don't want to miss this amazing opportunity to network with other green business leaders and hear what resources are available for your business to become more sustainable. 

Register Now! >>

 

IGBA has installed a total of 13,605 faucet aerators and 356 LED exit signs with the Direct Install Program! In one month, 211 new businesses participated in Illinois. That's 3,187 new aerators installed and 326 LED exit signs in April. A very successful month!

This month's efforts will save a projected $83,000 and equivalent of over 533,000 60W light bulbs being left on all day, or 515 metric tons of CO2 from reduced water and heating. 

Faucet aerators reduce the water flow without reducing pressure, using less water and energy. Ameren Illinois projects that each aerator installed can save $150 per year! Installing the aerators can be done in every bathroom sink. 

If you know of any businesses that would be interested in this program, contact IGBA at (217) 531-2179.  

 

The Second Annual Go Green on Green Street! on Friday, April 27th, is a collaborative event with SIFE (Students in Free Enterprise) in the College of Business to help raise awareness of how to go green and involve businesses and students in making Champaign-Urbana campus a greener place. 

IGBA has also worked with LINC (Learning in Community, semester course in Engineering) students the past semester who have created the following three promotional & informational videos: 

• Go Green Promo Video 1 
• Go Green Promo Video 2 
• What is Go Green on Green St? (Interview on YouTube)

LINC students also created games and interactive activities for the day of the event, including facebook posts on the official facebook page, as well as a Scavenger Hunt with prizes donated from campus businesses! The Scavenger hunt encouraged all participants to interactively learn about the booths -- comprised of student groups, community organizations and UI entities -- and lastly but most importantly, learn about the participating businesses!!

Special  thanks to the following 26 campus businesses that installed efficient faucet aerators and LED exit signs with IGBA: 

1. April’s Florist 
2. Bo Bo China 
3. Burrito King 
4. Busey Bank
5. Campus Liquors 
6. Casablanca Kabab House 
7. Den Liquors
8. Doodles
9. Fat Sandwich Company 
10. Follett’s Bookstore 
11. Gameday Spirit 
12. Geovanti’s Bar and Grill
13. Green Street Realty
14. Hometown Pantry 
15. Illini Eyecare 
16. Lai Lai Wok 
17. Murphy’s Pub
18. Newlife Tattoos 
19. No.1 Wok (Installed Aerators)
20. Notes-n-Quotes 
21. One World Pizza 
22. Ron’s Locksmith
23. T.I.S. Bookstore 
24. That’s Rentertainment 
25. The Beef Stand 
26. Wonderdog’s Restaurant

The Illinois Green Business Association looks forward to continuing to promote green business practices in campustown Champaign and beyond, and work with students to promote interactive learning opportunities.

 

Keep the Earth Clean and Green this Earth Day! Come out on Saturday, April 21st with your old cell phones, monitors, printers and more to be properly recycled and all materials reused.

Mervis Industries, WICD and the Illinois Green Business Association are hosting this free event to reduce the amount of old electronics sent to landfills. Collection will be OPEN to the community from 9am-1pm on Saturday and held at the Atkins Building parking lot in Research Park, 1800 S. Oak, the SE corner of Oak and St. Mary's Rd.

Accepted Items:

- Computers, Servers and Network Devices
- Monitors (CRT and Flat Screen)
- Printers (Inkjet, Laser and All-in-One)
- TVs (CRT, Flat Screen and Projection)
- VCRs & DVD Players
- Stereos
- Copiers
- Cell Phones and Smart Phones
* We DO NOT accept speakers or microwave ovens.

Thanks to:
Mervis Industries 
WICD
Illinois Green Business Association

 

IGBA was spotlighted on goodWORKSconnect.org's website as a featured non-profit! 

Good Works Connect is an online resource for East Central Illinois non-profits. It provides free tips, instructional videos, and blogs on managing an effective organization. It is a great developmental tool and information hub.

For more information, check out their Facebook or Twitter Page!

 

It's time, once again, for our monthly green networking event in Champaign-Urbana! On Tuesday, March 27th, come to Crane Alley in Urbana from 5:30-7 pm, hear Eric Benson, Assistant Professor of Graphic Design at the University of Illinois, speak on  Re-Nourish, green design standards, and Fresh Press, an educational agri-fiber papermaking & design studio providing systemic design solutions for East Central Illinois.

Join us in listening to these fascinating presentations about design and natural paper! Bring a friend (there's free food!) and meet new people interested in sustainability.

We look forward to seeing you there! 

 

IGBA has installed 10,418 faucet aerators and 30 LED exit signs in 94 businesses in Central Illinois. 

This will save a projected $288,900 in costs and 2 and a half million kWh of energy (1660 metric tons of CO2) from reduced water and heating.

Faucet aerators reduce the water flow without reducing pressure, using less water and energy. Ameren Illinois projects that each aerator installed can save $150 per year! Installing the aerators can be done in every bathroom sink. 

If you know of any businesses that would be interested in this program, contact IGBA at (217) 531-2179.  

 

Taylor Studios, Inc., a company out of Rantoul, is an exhibit design and fabrication firm that assists museums and other clients in creating exhibits that are educational, creative, and built to last. Taylor Studios is committed to completing exhibits to the fulfillment of each client's unique needs, timelines and goals.... and they are going green!

Check out their blog post about IGBA's certification process!

Here a clip of what they had to say:  "One of the nice things about IGBA’s certification process is that they accept different types of verification to prove you have fulfilled particular requirements. Pretty much anything except anecdotes and rumors. So I’ve been busy taking photos of seemingly random items at the Taylor Studios offices. Take a look at this beauty:" (pic)

"Hey, the use of a window and a pretty ingénue makes this one practically a Vermeer! What this photo actually captures is how our staff makes use of natural lighting and task lighting instead of the (admittedly, harsh) overhead lighting. That and we don’t believe in carpet."

Read some more green posts from Taylor Studios!

 

This month's event will be just as exciting as last month! Thank you to those who attended our January event.

Our Second Green Business Networking event of the year will be on February 21st from 5:30-7 pm at Quality in downtown Champaign (110 N. Neil St, just north of the City building).We will be featuring free appetizers from local growers and suppliers.

Our featured speaker will be Dioxide Materials. They are a Research Park start-up and have recently been featured in the News-Gazette for being a finalist in the Clean Energy Challenge in Chicago. Dioxide materials is a company that develops materials for CO2 sensing and remediation that lower the carbon footprint of homes and businesses, while saving them money in the process. They will be speaking about their patent pending technologies that are featured in the Clean Energy Challenge. 

Come on out, bring a friend, and learn about emerging sustainability technology, but don't forget to network and taste some local foods. We look forward to seeing you there!

 

The Illinois Green Business Association is holding its first ever Green Business Summit on September 7th, 2012! 

We look to bring small to medium sized businesses, local and state governments, industry associations, Chambers of Commerce, green technology companies, utilities and more to some together and discuss the state of green business in Illinois, and provide businesses with the information and tools needed to implement green practices.  

Thanks to the Office of Public Engagement at the University of Illinois for being the first sponsor of the Summit.

Keep your eyes peeled in the coming months for information on how to sign up to attend or be an exhibitor. We will also be announcing our first keynote speaker within the next couple of months! If you would like to be part of a panel or volunteer in some capacity please also get in touch with IGBA.

The Illinois Green Business Association is pleased to be hosting this event to help grow green business in Illinois. Keep in the loop for news and more developments.

 

Happy New Year! With new partnerships in the wings, new businesses to certify, and a big announcement coming soon... the IGBA has an exciting year ahead, to say the least.

Last month, the IGBA held a Board Retreat to discuss the goals and strategies for the new year. We have set three major goals for the organization to focus on in 2012:

1) Deepen our knowledge on green business practices and certification programs

2) Refine and streamline certification program services 

3) Develop green business practice awareness locally and state-wide.

The IGBA strives to become the leader in green business practices and certification in Illinois, as well as provide the education and services necessary to achieve efficiency, cost savings, and environmental reduction through greener practices. 

We look forward to accomplishing these goals and showing tangible results on successfully implemented green practices, in working with small and medium-sized businesses. Remember to sign up for our newsletter on the right side of the screen for monthly updates!

Here's to a Greener 2012!

- Cassie, Mara, Anthony

 

Did you know? Beginning on January 1, 2012, electronic devices such as TVs, computers, monitors, printers, VCR/DVD players and more will be banned from Illinois landfills. The Illinois Electronic Products Recycling and Reuse Act includes both residents and businesses in the effort to keep heavy metals and toxic chemicals out of Illinois landfills. Everyone will need to find a location to take these items for proper recycling and disposal.  

Many large retailers now accept certain electronics for recycling. Also, check your local city's website for more information. For example, if you live in Champaign-Urbana, please view the Electronics Recycling Guide for C-U.

 

THANK YOU to those who attended our Holiday Party at Boltini Lounge on December 15th! We had about 50 people in attendance -- from partners, supporters, businesses in our program, and community members, it seemed like everyone came out to celebrate the holidays and ring in IGBA's third year.

Boltini provided delicious food -- HUGE Thank You to Boltini for their generosity. It made the night extra special, and delicious!

Check out some photos of the event on facebook. Thanks again for your support, and we look forward to a prosperous new year!

 

Thinking about going green this holiday season? Support IGBA and have a greener holiday by purchasing re-purposed holiday cards hand-made by the Illinois Green Business Association staff and interns. 

Materials for the cards were purchased from the I.D.E.A. Store, Central Illinois’ Premier Eco-Edu-Art Creative Reuse Marketplace. Contact us today about purchasing a pack -- a pack of 5 cards can be purchased for $10 ($2/card). Check out some of the cards on facebook!

 

The Illinois Green Business Association has partnered with Ameren Illinois ActOnEnergy® efficiency programs to provide Ameren Illinois customers with efficient faucet aerators for free. 

Faucet aerators reduce the water flow without reducing pressure, using less water and energy. The aerators provided by Ameren have a rate of flow of 0.5 gallons per minute, and Ameren projects that each can save $150 per year. Installing the aerators can be done in every bathroom sink in businesses or at home and is a sure way to cut down on energy and water usage.

So far, area hotels that have participated in the program are: Baymont Inn, Days Inn, Drury Inn, Country Inn & Suites, Courtyard Marriott, Hawthorne Suites by Wyndham, Hilton Garden Inn, Homewood Suites, Manor Motel, Microtel Inn, Quality Inn, and the Wingate Inn. In Urbana: America’s Best Inn, Comfort Suites, Eastland Suites Hotel & Conference Center, Holiday Inn Express, Lincoln Lodge, Motel 6, and the Sleep Inn. Danville hotels include the Danville Days Hotel and Danville Inn. Other area businesses are: C & A Inspirations, The Don Moyer Boys & Girls Club, El Toro, Fasprint, Jos. A Kuhns Co., Myers Drapery Services Inc, Record Swap, So Called Junk. Clark-Lindsay Village in Urbana also participated and has enrolled in IGBA’s green certification program.

IGBA has plans to reach many more businesses in the months to come. If you know of any hotels or businesses that might be interested in this free program, they can email anthony@illinoisgba.com or call (217) 531-2179.

 

As part of our mission to provide businesses with education on greener practices, IGBA Educational Programming interns will be giving a Lunch n' Learn seminar to award-winning website developers Accuraty Solutions staff and other employees in the M2 Enclave offices on November 17th.

Erica Tsang and Gloria Lin will present on how Pollution Prevention, Employee Transportation and Water Conservation relate to employees and the workplace. Lunch will be catered by Boltini. 

These presentations have also been tailored to highlight some of the green practices that Accuraty participates in as an enrolled business in IGBA’s green certification program. Presentations will be videotaped and then subtitled, so you will soon be able to view them on our YouTube page!

 

The Illinois Green Business Association has begun two fantastic partnerships with Illinois State University.  We have partnered with the Center for Renewable Energy and the Department of Technology to provide a capstone internship program for students to gain hands-on experience in green business. Projects will be tailored to the students' interests and focusing on energy and renewable energy systems. 

Currently, the ISU students are helping IGBA in the hotel industry through standards development, industry research, guest surveys, and running an actual pilot program with a hotel! The program has three students working with the IGBA but we look forward to growing the program and providing more students with those opportunities.

IGBA has also partnered with the College of Business and the Center for Emerging Entrepreneurship to build a consulting program where students would help businesses directly through the checklist, providing Bloomington-Normal businesses with hands-on support and resources. Businesses will be recruited for the program and students will be trained in the IGBA’s program and processes to best serve businesses. 

We look forward to working with ISU students this Spring to help spread the word about green business in the Bloomington-Normal area!