SFC Next

Where the home furnishings industry gathers to think smarter about sustainability!

#SFCNEXT

The Sustainable Furnishings Council is proud to present a one day virtual conference with a focus on healthy and environmentally smart choices for the industry and our consumers in their homes. A different kind of conference, the event features an impressive roster of speakers from innovative companies, organizations, and governmental programs in a day-long series of online conversations HERE at www.sustainablefurnishings.org 

Topics include:

11:00-11:45am EDT - How Will the Exploding Green Building Market Affect Demand for Certified Sustainable Products?

Mike Italiano, President & CEO, Institute for Market Transformation to Sustainability

As a founder of the U.S. Green Building Council, Mike pushed the building industry to go green. Now he is focused on pushing the capital markets in the same direction. Learn how the issuance of green mortgage backed securities will become a major driver of consumer demand for certifiably sustainable home furnishings.

12:00-12:45pm EDT - Driving Change and Creating Value Through Wood Sourcing

Amy Smith, World Wildlife Fund, Bob Johnston, Executive Director, Tropical Forest Foundation, Corey Brinkema, Chief Executive Officer, Forest Stewardship Council, Moderator: Mark Comolli, Director of Markets, Forest Division, Rainforest Alliance

This panel will discuss options for companies to source wood and explore how wood sourcing can be used to create value and to connect with customers.

1:00-1:45pm EDT - Moving Towards Safer Chemicals in Home Furnishings

Donald Lucas, Consultant, Green Science Policy Institute, Nneka Leiba, Dep. Dir. of Research, Environmental Working Group, Moderator: Bryan McGannon, Deputy Director of Policy and Engagement, American Sustainable Business Council

How can we promote innovative chemical technologies that reduce or eliminate the use of hazardous substances in the design and manufacture of home furnishings? How can we advocate for policies and regulations that promote the health of the planet and companies' bottom lines? Learn from the panel insights on the green chemistry revolution and the current state of policy and regulation regarding toxins.

2:00-2:45pm EDT - Innovations in Materials

Gavin McIntyre, Co-Founder and Chief Scientist, Ecovative, Joe Stapley, Business Development, Noble Environmental Technologies

Looking to Nature to Grow (Not Manufacture) the Next Generation of High Performance Materials  As a society, we are addicted to the plastics and foams that are poisoning our planet. What if you could delight your customers with environmentally friendly packaging that is cost effective? Gavin will share how Ecovative, a bio materials company, is developing innovative materials from natural growth processes.

Turning Low/No Value Materials Into High Value Products  Imagine your crinkled up wrapping paper, leftover cardboard boxes and other recyclable materials all used to make furniture for your home. Well, it’s being done by Noble Environmental Technologies with their ECOR-branded products. Learn how low value materials are being transformed into high style.

3:00-3:45pm EDT - Why and How to Green Your Textile Choices

Karla Magruder, Textile Exchange Ambassador, Founder and President of Fabrikology International,  Patty Grossman, Founder, O Ecotextiles

Discuss with the experts what textiles are Preferred and why.  Learn what distinguishes Organic fibers, Natural Fibers, Regenerated Fibers, Synthetic Fibers, Artifical Recycled Fibers.  Plus learn the story of what happened when one Seattle woman decided to reupholster her sofa - the founding and journey of O Ecotextiles, to create fabrics that are "indulgent yet responsible."

4:00-4:45pm EDT - Creating a Home that is Healthy, Non-Toxic and Resource Efficient 

Jillian Pritchard Cooke, Founder, Wellness Within Your Walls , Navneet Magon Anand, Founder, Design Veritas, Moderator: Robin Wilson, CEO, Robin Wilson Home

A vibrant dialog with expert designers to imagine your home being the best space for you and your family, now and in the future. One that is fulfilling and inspires you to live your best lives. This panel will share their commitment to designing such spaces, and share ideas you can implement immediately.

Register and send in your questions today! Then join other forward thinking executives, brand strategists, supply chain managers, and product innovators as well as retail and marketing leaders in the home furnishings industry for these live chats. You will gain inspiration and practical support for developing the plans that will make you successful in the new low-carbon economy.

Sustainable business practices offer the biggest source of competitive advantage in the 21st century. When companies choose to address environmental, social, and ethical issues, they open up opportunities to innovate, differentiate, create more value, and attract more customers. SFC NEXT is a one day virtual learning experience that will help those doing business in and around the home furnishings industry broaden and accelerate their sustainability initiatives.

Join us for SFC NEXT to expand your sense of what’s possible.

#SFCNEXT

PLUS:

Based on the award-winning 2012 Chicago Tribune series “Playing with Fire,” Toxic Hot Seat details how a handful of large chemical companies convinced fire safety officials to back a standard that, in effect, requires all furniture to be filled with toxic flame-retardants. Filmmakers James Redford and Kirby Walker will be available for Q&A following the screening.

GET YOUR TICKET HERE FOR THIS FREE EVENT!

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