Energy Fair Keynotes & Workshops

Keynotes

Saturday, June 21, 1:00 PM - Jim Hightower
National radio commentator, writer, public speaker, and author of the forthcoming book, Swim Against The Current: Even A Dead Fish Can Go With The Flow, Jim Hightower has spent three decades battling the Powers That Be on behalf of the Powers That Ought To Be - consumers, working families, environmentalists, small businesses, and just-plain-folks.

Meet Jim, and sign up for his newsletter The Hightower Lowdown at his website.

Sunday, June 22, 1:00 PM - Eco-Municipality Expert Torbjörn Lahti
Torbjorn Lahti is the project director for Sustainable Robertsfors, a five-year sustainable community demonstration project. He was the project planner for Sweden's first eco-municipality, and is co-author of The Natural Step for Communities. Lahti will also present an extended workshop at the Energy Fair for individuals interested in a more in-depth study of eco-municipalities.

Interested in eco-municipalities? Purchase The Natural Step through the MREA Marketplace.

Workshops:

Click HERE for the complete 2008 workshop guide.

Specific workshop areas scheduled for 2008 include:

• Clean Energy Car Show
• >Green Home Pavilion
• >Sustainable Tables
• Children's Workshops
• Educator Workshops

EXTENDED ENERGY FAIR WORKSHOPS
Learn More; Sign Up Early

The Midwest Renewable Energy Association hosts extended workshops during the Energy Fair, to offer an opportunity to take an in-depth look at issues or technologies. These workshops will take place in the ReNew the Earth Institute Education Room during the Energy Fair. Workshop attendees need to pay for admission to the Energy Fair. Pre-registration is required, and seating is very limited. Please visit www.the-mrea.org or call 715-592-6595 to register today!

1) Going Down the Path to Zero: Friday, June 20, 9 am-12 noon
We are closer to building net zero fossil carbon houses than we think. Learn about homes that make their own energy and run on normal metabolic activity on a variety of conditions, including Wisconsin winters. It is time to build post-fossil-carbon homes and communities, to get on down the Path to Zero. Instructor: Bill Hurrle. Course Cost: $30.00

2) ECOpreneuring: Launch Your Own Dream (Green) Business: Saturday, June 21, 9 am-12 noon
Authors of ECOpreneuring, Lisa Kivirist and John Ivanko share how powerful social trends towards green living, re-localization and self-sufficiency are driving a shift towards prioritizing purpose over profits, and building community over building market share. Jumpstart your green dreams and increase its likelihood of success. Instructors: John Ivanko and Lisa Kivirist, Inn Serendipity. Course Cost: $30.00 Course Prerequisite: ECOpreneuring, by John Ivanko and Lisa Kivirist. Can be purchased at the Energy Fair.

3) Make Your Community an Eco-Municipality: Saturday, June 21, 2-5 pm
Learn from the eco-municipality expert! In addition to the Energy Fair keynote presentation on Sunday, June 22, Torbjorn Lahti will lead this in-depth workshop for those who are interested in implementing sustainable initiatitves in your own community. Learn how to develop your community into an eco-municipality, and how to maintain your sustainability efforts. Time will be provided to discuss mutual strategies between US and Sweden eco-municipalities. This workshop is designed for individuals in existing eco-municipalities or potential new ones. Course Cost: $40.00 Instructor: Torbjorn Lahti, author of The Natural Step for Communities. Course Prerequisite: The Natural Step for Communities, which can be purchased through the MREA Marketplace online or at the Energy Fair.

4) Eco-Municipality Primer for Officials: Sunday, June 22, 9 am-12 noon
The MREA will host a special session on eco-municipalities for elected officials or other municipal government staff . This session will be held on the same day of Torbjorn Lahti's keynote presentation, and will build on the concepts presented. Don’t miss this chance to get a fun, in-depth study of sustainable community initiatives that can be implemented in everyday governmental decisions and policies. Course Cost: $30.00 Course Prerequisite: The Natural Step for Communities, which can be purchased through the MREA Marketplace online or at the Energy Fair.