USGBC L.A. Chapter's Green Gala to feature Jason McLennan as keynote speaker

The Los Angeles Chapter of the nonprofit U.S. Green Building Council will launch its Sustainable Innovation Awards this year during the chapter's 7th Annual Green Gala on Thursday, November 3, 2011, from 5:30 - 9:30pm at the LEED Certified JW Marriott at L.A. Live (900 West Olympic Blvd, Los Angeles, CA). The Green Gala has become recognized throughout the region as the single largest annual vehicle for communication, celebration and bridge-building among those who think, act, design and build greener throughout the County of Los Angeles and its metropolitan areas.

The significance of this year's Gala is further cemented in the selection of the Keynote Speaker, Jason McLennan. Author of the Living Building Challenge (click here to view BD+C's feature article on the Living Building Challenge), international speaker and CEO of the Cascadia Green Building Council. He is considered one of the founders of the green design movement in the United States. Never one to shy away from any topic, he credits USGBC for laying the original groundwork in identifying and encouraging green design, while simultaneously challenging and inspiring the organization to continually push the envelope in the advancement of sustainable design and construction. From his unique perspective, McLennan will address the Gala's theme of "Branching Out" and how that concept is key to the Chapter's growth and empowerment as it heads into its second decade.

USGBC-LA's Inaugural Sustainable Innovation Awards will recognize exceptional achievement and innovation in each LEED category for countywide certified projects from the past two years. The awards program offers prestige, notoriety and affirmation of a project team's commitment to a sustainable built environment. The submissions-judged for innovation, community impact and team collaboration-will attract members throughout the Los Angeles County's sustainable community and be awarded regardless of LEED certification achieved. The call for submissions resides at http://usgbc-la.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/CallforEntries1.pdf, with the deadline set for Sept. 30, 2011.

The theme of the 2011 Green Gala is "Branching Out," reflecting the Chapter's broadened focus on engaging new members and communities beyond the building industry who have sustainable initiatives, as well as information and goals that are parallel to that of USGBC-LA. Additionally, due to the size and diversity of land and population issues that the Los Angeles Chapter faces, the Chapter engages its constituents on a hyper-local level via "branches" which include San Gabriel Valley, Long Beach, Westside and the anticipated newest branch, South Bay.

The annual Gala annually attracts over 400 influential guests across its industry, including architectural designers, landscapers, builders, local and regional governments, nonprofits, utility companies and those interested in collaborative sustainable initiatives that affect communities. BD+C