Event Description

Building Clean 2019 is a summit that looks at the power of procurement in the built environment to bring better health, jobs, and equity to communities.  A top Summit goal is to demonstrate innovative practices across sectors government, construction, manufacturing that could be adapted by other stakeholders. Sustainable procurement is about much more than recycled paper. It reaches into every aspect of buildings, which is what all businesses, government, and communities have in common.

While focusing on the built environment, we will look at both those who implement buy local and buy healthy principles and those impacted by them. We will have participants and speakers from many different arenas, including higher education, government, procurement, utilities, corporations, manufacturing, housing, construction, architecture, and more. 

This is an opportunity  to learn how others within and outside your industry are approaching the procurement of locally made and/or healthier materials. You'll also hear about free resources to help locate the products you need. And, there will be plenty of time for networking during breaks and a reception following the program.

Workshops will include:

• It’s Not So Academic: Understanding the learning curve in making new procurement commitments.

• Build It Clean and They Will Come: Pathways to follow on your quest for your project to contribute to a more sustainable community.

• A Clean Build of Health: Finding safer products without a degree in toxicology.

• A Toolbox for Actionable Procurement Policies: Where you can turn for help in meeting local and healthier goals.

• Utilities Power Buy Local Buy Healthy Initiatives: How and why utilities are marrying energy efficiency with local and healthy principles.

• Building Up Underserved Communities: How to ensure that the clean energy economy brings its benefits to low-income communities.

Additional Activity: Pre-Summit Tour

As an added bonus, participants can register for a tour of the Perkins Eastman offices in Chicago’s historic Rookery Building, which is considered Chicago’s oldest standing highrise building and boasts a lobby designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. The architectural offices are one of the city’s first WELL v2 Gold certified spaces. Participants will meet at Convene at 9:00 a.m. to leave for the tour. Further logistical details will be sent to registrants shortly before the event.