USGBC To Co-Host National Affordable Green Homes & Sustainable Communities Summit at Greenbuild with Institute for Professional and Executive Development, and Enterprise Community Partners

Washington, DC – August 1, 2012 – (RealEstateRama) — The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) today announced it will co-host the National Affordable Green Homes & Sustainable Communities Summit with the Institute for Professional and Executive Development (IPED) – an affiliate of Nixon Peabody LLP and Enterprise Community Partners, Inc. (Enterprise). The two-day summit will take place Nov. 13 – 14, 2012 in San Francisco, Calif. at the Greenbuild International Conference & Expo, the world’s largest conference and expo dedicated to green building.

“Greening the affordable housing sector is a critical priority in our mission of transforming the built environment, and over half of all LEED-certified homes are affordable housing,” said Nate Kredich, Vice President, Residential Market Development, USGBC. “The Summit will be educational and inspiring for those who are new to the sector, and to those who are already heavily engaged.”

The two-day summit will feature a keynote presentation and various educational sessions focused on successfully planning, financing, developing and managing green affordable housing projects, and how this urgently important work addresses the needs of stakeholders, the environment, and community resilience.

“IPED’s collaboration at Greenbuild reflects our shared commitment to providing professionals with knowledge, tools and inspiration to achieve a sustainable future,” said Jeffrey Lesk, IPED Board Member. “It’s a unique opportunity to connect green development with community development. By showcasing thought leaders in both of these industries, we can present the most innovative ideas and best examples of achieving cost-efficient, energy-saving green affordable housing and community development.”

“We are thrilled to offer this high-caliber event at Greenbuild as a continuation of our long history with IPED to host conferences on this important topic,” said Dana Bourland, Vice President of Green Initiatives, Enterprise. “Enterprise is committed to working with our partners to bring the benefits of green building to all affordable housing and low-income communities by 2020 and views this summit as an important part of that strategy.”

This summit is made possible through the generous support of the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, which is providing overall program and scholarship funding, as well as Wells Fargo, which is funding recipient scholarships as well as the networking reception.

“This summit puts affordable housing at the center of efforts to green the built environment. The result is better living conditions, and improved operations, which lead to long-term affordability,” said Julia Stasch, Vice President of U.S. Programs, MacArthur Foundation. “Sustainable housing policy for the future will be created by interaction among the industry leaders here at the summit.”

“Wells Fargo seeks to ensure that as we do business natural resources are protected and environmental, social and economic needs are considered as part of our everyday decisions,” said Mary Wenzel, director of Wells Fargo Environmental Affairs. “We’re proud to support this summit because we believe healthy ecosystems are vital to the well being of communities, and when our communities do well, we do well.”

Greenbuild 2012 will feature three days of networking, educational sessions, green building tours, master speakers and plenary events, combined with the largest expo hall in the 11-year history of Greenbuild. Registration for Greenbuild and the National Affordable Green Homes & Sustainable Communities Summit at Greenbuild is currently open. For more information on Greenbuild 2012, visit greenbuildexpo.org.

U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC)
The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) is committed to a prosperous and sustainable future through cost-efficient and energy-saving green buildings. USGBC works toward its mission of market transformation through its LEED green building certification program, robust educational offerings, a nationwide network of chapters and affiliates, the annual Greenbuild International Conference & Expo, and advocacy in support of public policy that encourages and enables green buildings and communities. For more information, visit usgbc.org and follow us on Twitter @USGBC and Facebook.

Greenbuild
The U.S. Green Building Council’s Greenbuild International Conference & Expo convenes the industry’s largest gathering of representatives from all sectors of the green building movement. Three days of extensive educational programming, workshops, a vast exhibition floor and ample networking events provide unrivaled opportunities to learn about the latest technological innovations, explore new products, and exchange ideas with other professionals. Greenbuild is the three-time recipient of IMEX Green Meetings Award and the 2012 show will be held on Nov. 14-16, in San Francisco, Calif. Last year’s conference in Toronto, Ontario, drew more than 23,000 attendees and featured a sold out exhibit hall floor with more than 1,700 exhibit booths. For more information, visit greenbuildexpo.org and follow us on Twitter @Greenbuild and Facebook.

Institute for Professional and Executive Development (IPED)
The Institute for Professional and Executive Development, Inc. (IPED) is a Washington, DC-based seminar company and affiliate of Nixon Peabody LLP that provides high-quality continuing education for professionals working in a variety of industries. IPED is best known for its conferences on topics such as affordable housing, community development, tax credits, renewable energy, and other aspects of government-assisted development. The instruction-based educational seminars are designed to serve professionals from many industries, including real estate development, accounting, law, government, management, energy, and financial services, including lending and equity investment.

Enterprise Community Partners, Inc. (Enterprise)
Enterprise is a leading provider of the development capital and expertise it takes to create decent, affordable homes and rebuild communities. For 30 years, Enterprise has introduced neighborhood solutions through public-private partnerships with financial institutions, governments, community organizations and others that share our vision. Enterprise has raised and invested more than $11.5 billion in equity, grants and loans to help build or preserve nearly 300,000 affordable rental and for-sale homes to create vital communities. Visit www.EnterpriseCommunity.org and www.EnterpriseCommunity.com to learn more about Enterprise’s efforts to build communities and opportunity.

John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation
The MacArthur Foundation supports creative people and effective institutions committed to building a more just, verdant, and peaceful world. In addition to selecting the MacArthur Fellows, the Foundation works to defend human rights, advance global conservation and security, make cities better places, and understand how technology is affecting children and society. More information is at www.macfound.org.

Wells Fargo & Company
Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE: WFC) is a nationwide, diversified, community-based financial services company with $1.3 trillion in assets. Founded in 1852 and headquartered in San Francisco, Wells Fargo provides banking, insurance, investments, mortgage, and consumer and commercial finance through more than 9,000 stores, 12,000 ATMs, the Internet (wellsfargo.com), and has offices in more than 35 countries to support the bank’s customers who conduct business in the global economy. With approximately 265,000 full-time equivalent team members, Wells Fargo serves one in three households in United States. Wells Fargo & Company was ranked No. 26 on Fortune‘s 2012 rankings of America’s largest corporations. Wells Fargo’s vision is to satisfy all our customers’ financial needs and help them succeed financially.

Contact:
Ashley Katz
Media Manager, USGBC
202.742.3738