Lakeshore Climate Forum

Michigan Sustainable Business Forum will host its Fourth Annual Lakeshore Climate Forum for business and community leaders in Muskegon and Ottawa counties on Wednesday, September 17 from 9 am to 12 pm at the Muskegon Innovation Hub at Grand Valley State University.

This year’s forum will feature two sessions of presentations and discussions highlighting climate initiatives in the Holland, Grand Haven and Muskegon metro areas.  The program will demonstrate how the public and private sectors are both accelerating investments despite shifting federal priorities and economic uncertainty, and detail near-term opportunities for local communities and businesses.  

• How the State of Michigan is forwarding climate action on the Lakeshore through its Mi Healthy Climate Plan,
• What’s in the climate action plans for the cities of Holland, Grand Haven, Muskegon and Ottawa County, and the latest greenhouse gas inventory and municipal solid waste composition for West Michigan, Ottawa and Muskegon counties, 
• How local businesses are pursuing greenhouse gas reduction initiatives and related sustainability commitments, including small businesses, B Corps, and manufacturers with science-based initiatives, 
• How shifting federal priorities have created uncertainty for key Lakeshore developments, including the retirement of coal-fired power plants, 
• And what incentives and opportunities are currently available to local communities and businesses for energy efficiency and clean energy, food loss and waste reduction, recycling improvements, and other sustainability improvements.

Registration limited to 80 attendees.  Free to Forum members and guests with registration. 

Speakers

• Mayor Ken Johnson, City of Muskegon
• Julia Field, Deputy Climate and Energy Advisor, Office of Climate and Energy, Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy
• Damaris Potter, Climate Action Planner, Grand Valley Metro Council
• Peter Wills, Director of Government Relations & Strategic Operations, City of Muskegon
• John Kinch, Executive Director, Michigan Energy Options
• Andrew Reynolds, Efficiency Programs Manager, Holland Board of Public Works
• Garry Boyd, Owner, The Unicorn Tavern
• Brittany Goode, Sustainability Manager, Aldea Coffee 
• Greta Jost, Senior Sustainability Specialist, Haworth
• Scott Charon, Sustainable Strategy and Reporting Sr. Manager, MIllerKnoll
• Kari Bliss, Principal Sustainability, PADNOS
• Emily Prehoda, Chief Operating Officer, Chart House Energy

Agenda

• Registration and networking – 8:30 am 
• Public Sector Program – 9 am
• Break – 10:30 am  
• Private Sector Program – 10:45 am
• Adjourn – Noon