Event Description

Asthma and allergy prevalence has doubled in America over the past 30 years, and is now a Top 5 Hazard to Human Health Worldwide. It is the leading cause of ER visits and school absenteeism among children, and contributes to rising healthcare costs by improper management of the indoor environment. Additionally, the EPA estimates that we spend up to 90% of our time indoors, yet the FTC, NIH, and FDA are all silent on the issues around the use of the word ‘hypoallergenic.’ By reducing triggers and choosing healthier products, homeowners can optimize their indoor environment for health. Builders, architects, and industry leaders will learn about the breakthroughs in human-friendly building products, why it is important to choose safer products and materials, and how to use Certified Products as a marketing platform to raise awareness.

This course will dive into the demand for transparency and healthier materials, with information about how building products can be tested, certified, and incorporated into projects. It will discuss the rigorousness of standard development and testing protocols and how Certified asthma & allergy friendly® products contribute to healthier environments.

Dr. John McKeon, CEO of Allergy Standards and Courtney Sunna, MBA, will be available to answer any questions related to this program.

Lessons Learned

- The prevalence of asthma and allergies in America and how to capture this growing consumer market

- How to use a combination of science and education to raise awareness and demand

- The importance of an independent scientific program in this area and why it is necessary

- Builders and architects will learn how to influence their clients to purchase certified products to keep their homes healthy.

Continuing Education Units (CEUS)
1 hour in:

GBCI
AIA(HSW)
Certified Green Professional (NARI & CGP)
AIBD
Certified GreenHome Professional (CGHP)
State Architect / Builder License may be applicable
Instructors

Courtney Sunna, MBA, is the VP of Sales for U.S. Asthma and Allergy Friendly® Certification run by the international scientific standards body Allergy Standards Ltd. and the patient advocacy group The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA). In this role, she focuses on brand partnerships and strategic growth with the heads of major corporations including Procter & Gamble, 3M, Tarkett, Owens Corning, Ingersoll Rand, and Benjamin Moore, as well as managing executive relations with retail stores such as Bed Bath & Beyond, Macys, Home Depot, and Best Buy. Courtney received her MBA from the University of Pisa, Italy, and continues her executive education at Harvard Business School. She is also Chair of the Future Leaders Board with IIBN, an Irish nonprofit organization aimed at building relationships, trade, and investment between the U.S. and Ireland.

Dr John McKeon is the CEO and co-founder of international standards body Allergy Standards Ltd. He is a medical doctor, a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, and holds a number of business development qualifications. He is the Entrepreneur in Residence at Trinity College Dublin. His company, Allergy Standards Ltd., develops the scientific standards behind the asthma & allergy friendly® Certification Program, which allows consumers to identify products which have been proven through rigorous testing to be more suitable for asthma and allergy sufferers. Dr McKeon is a regular contributor at conferences, in print and other media articles, and at seminars, on the subjects of asthma, allergy, and consumer products. He maintains a keen interest in clinical medicine and has been published in medical journals.