Over 500 of the industry’s most forward-thinking green building practitioners and advocates convened in Portland, OR May 6-8 for a sold-out Living Future 2009. Held in The Nines hotel, a brand new luxury hotel that is pursuing LEED® Silver, both the venue and the city—one that’s on the leading edge of sustainability—provided an appropriate setting for discussion and collaboration among industry leaders and emerging leaders. 

The conference centered on the theme “Cultivating Leadership: Shift Global Consciousness. Begin with One,” and was designed to address skills that industry leaders need to effectively transform our built environment.  Educational sessions addressed at least one of five sub-themes, which were identified by a cadre of experienced industry professionals as key actions that leaders must do well: invent creative solutions, teach critical information, surpass conventional and incremental thinking, activate individuals and communities, and practice (real life examples of leadership).

The keynote speakers certainly exemplified the theme of leadership and change motivation. Janine Benyus, the woman behind the concept of biomimicry, conducted the opening keynote presentation to a highly receptive audience of 600. As one attendee remarked, “Janine's message on biomimicry was the kind of forward thinking that makes Living Future so great. She asked questions that have not been asked before, and expected answers!”

At his morning plenary, Cascadia’s CEO, Jason F. McLennan, challenged the audience to speak honestly about the world’s predicament and to action with giant leaps. He announced two initiatives to facilitate those giant leaps: the Living Building Ambassadors program and International Living Building Institute, which will help disseminate the Living Building standard world-wide. Denis Hayes, CEO of the Bullitt Foundation, gave a hopeful, yet urgent reminder at the Big Bang Dinner of the need to go against the status quo in order to catch up on the changes we need to be making. Finally, aikido expert Thomas Crum—an unlikely speaker for a green building conference—got attendees out of their seats to explore centering and conflict resolution techniques that will allow them to appropriately channel their passion and leadership and make more effective change. In the words of one attendee, “I appreciated Thomas Crum, because he was addressing personal empowerment and leadership. It was a good break from the more technical, green-building focused sessions. A nice balance, as leadership development is very important!”

Two conference traditions—the Red List Ready Trade Show and 15 Minutes of Brilliance—also demonstrated the theme of leadership. Twenty-two product manufacturers and service providers, which have adequately demonstrated their commitment to and leadership in environmental and social responsibility, participated in the Trade Show. The 15 Minutes of Brilliance was host to five brilliant ideas, ranging from connecting ecological systems to building envelopes to the Greensburg, KS initiative to create a community of affordable Living Buildings.

Furthermore, Living Future is never without celebration of the region’s leadership. Three industry pioneers were initiated as Cascadia Fellows—Christine Ervin, Alex Zimmerman, and John Reynolds. The region’s emerging leadership was also honored through the Emerging Green Builders’ annual Natural Talent Design Competition, with first prize going to Team EGB Victoria Integrated for their project idea “Living Roundhouse: A Community Revived.”

Finally, an extra element of fun was added to the conference through the FUNconference, an effort primarily organized by an active group of volunteers. The networking was taken up a couple notches with organized after-parties each night at some of Portland’s signature establishments (Deschutes Brewery, The Cleaners at the Ace Hotel, and Doug Fir Lounge), allowing attendees to interact and continue the conversation in a more relaxed setting. Also, activities, such as kayaking, a bike and brew tour, and a walking brewery tour, were organized, giving attendees the opportunity to get out an explore Portland from a different angle.

Living Future 2009 certainly seemed to live up to the standards that have been set for it: a recharge for passion, a launching pad for ideas and collaboration, a meeting place for leaders, and a space full of hope for a better future.

The 2009 Unconference, in the words of the attendees...

“One of the best conferences I've been to. Nice size, well organized, and FUN.”

“The lectures were inspiring; my batteries have been recharged. But the most valuable were the conversations I had between sessions. I had an opportunity to talk with all kinds of people doing all kinds of great work. These conversations are the heart of a good conference.”

“I loved the attitude of the speakers and participants. There was positivity and a genuine desire to keep improving by analyzing what isn't working and seeking input on how to make buildings work for people.”

“This conference had the best plenary sessions of any conference I've been to.”

“My favorite aspect was the heart connection made possible by an irrational approach, a playful spirit, and recognition that none of us are ‘experts,’ and yet we are the leaders.”

“I really appreciated the high bar of excellent presenter styles and presentation formats of all four [keynote] speakers. These were generally my favorite parts of the conference, even though they contained less ‘practical’ details.”

“Coming away from this conference, I’m driven to continue to expand the horizons of me and my firm to look beyond LEED, realizing that it's never too early to try to design for full sustainability.”

Cascadia would once again like to extend our sincerest gratitude to the 2009 Unconference sponsors!

Change Agents

Green Advocates

Support Sponsors

Wine and Beer Sponsors

Bridgeport Brewing
Full Sail Brewing Company
Sierra Nevada
Torii Mor Winery

USGBC Chapter Partners

Arizona, California Central Coast, Chicago, Green Building Alliance, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Inland Empire, Maine, Montana, Nebraska Flatwater, Northern California, Orange County, Redwood Empire, San Diego