Red Deer is set to host the 2011 Pathways 2 Sustainability conference in February when more than 200 professionals, decision makers, innovators and investors aim to define sustainable community with a focus on food, fuel and finance.
The conference runs from Feb. 23 through the 25 at Red Deer College and includes a community café, sustainability showcase, keynote speakers and panelists.
“This is shaping up to be Alberta’s conference of the year,” said Rene Michalak, conference coordinator.
The sustainability showcase will feature over 40 exhibitors highlighting renewable energy technologies, sustainable agriculture business, sustainable community concepts and plans, investment brokers and community finance as well as organizations that support sustainability for Alberta.
Michalak said the conference will be a marketplace of ideas, innovations, technologies and solutions for motivating Alberta’s sustainable communities into action.
“This is a great way to get everyone at the same table, thinking, talking and finding ways to put sustainability into action,” said Mayor Morris Flewwelling. “Sustainability is a concept that includes everything from good governance to finance to the environment and the social and economic culture of our community.
“Sustainability is a commitment to ensuring our quality of life in Red Deer can be maintained for the long term – for today and for generations to come. Each of us has a part to play.”
Conference participants will have opportunities to engage with a number of keynote speakers including Mark Anielski, author of the Economics of Happiness and Chris Turner, author of The Geography of Hope.
In addition to these Alberta sustainability experts, the conference also offers a lineup of 12 panel presentations on food, fuel, finance and municipalities showcasing sustainability plans.
“This conference is about building momentum for sustainable and resilient communities,” said Michalak.
For more information visit www.pathways2sustainability.ca.
-Fawcett
