If you have responsibility for any piece of the sustainability puzzle for a retail or consumer product company, you will benefit from attending RILA's event. Executives in corporate social responsibility, energy management, marketing and branding, product management, environmental project management, sustainable supply chains, operations, legal and regulatory compliance and related disciplines will gain the knowledge and connections they need to make 2009 a success by attending this event -- the one event designed by retailers, for retailers, on environmental sustainability & compliance. 

                                                            

Our 2008 was attended by the "who's who" of retail sustainability experts, with virtually every large retail company sending representation. The companies/titles of those who attended in 2008 included:

See below for the 2009 program. Planning for 2010 is underway!

Monday, October 5

2:30pm-5:00pm: Green Store Tours
Join attendees on a tour of either Walmart's high efficiency superstore or JCPenney's Fairview store that is designed and registered to receive LEED certification. Click here to learn more about the store tours.

6:00pm-7:30pm: Welcome Reception, to be held in the Exhibit Hall

Tuesday, October 6

8:00am-9:00am: Sustainability is a Team Sport, Sally Jewell, President & CEO, REI
Today, leading companies like REI are implementing social and environmental strategies that go beyond compliance, and deliver business benefits such as cost reductions, employee and customer engagement, and reputation enhancement. Sally will share REI’s experiences and pitfalls in its effort to move from “do less bad” to “do more good,” highlighting how collaboration inside and outside the company has been critical and how partnerships can help tackle some of society’s most pressing problems.

9:15am-10:15am: Red Goes Green: Target’s Sustainability Story, Tony Heredia, Vice President, Corporate Risk & Responsibility, Target
Sustainability is nothing new for this Minneapolis-based retailer – it’s been a part of the way they do business for decades. Join Tony Heredia, Target’s vice president of corporate risk and responsibility, as he shares the company’s sustainability story – how “doing what’s right” evolved into an integrated business strategy.

10:30am-11:30am: Breakout Sessions
A. RCRA Waste Minimization & Management, Teresa Pruitt, Wal-Mart; Tom Carney, StrongPak & Scott Danner, StrongPak
Over the past two years, StrongPak™ has collected data on hazardous waste generated from a variety of retail establishment types. In this session, the results of trial programs conducted at grocery stores, chain drug stores, auto supply stores and big box discounters are summarized, analyzed and presented in a digestible format. Other topics covered in this session will include best management practices for waste minimization, minimizing waste storage space requirements, optimal service visit cycles, utilizing on-line information services and properly managing pharmacy wastes.

B: Green Power Procurement: Comparing Retailers' Approaches, John Fojut, Kohl's; Joe Lopez, H-E-B; David Ozment, Wal-Mart; Dick Pastor, Shaw Environmental (moderator) 
Wal-Mart, Kohl’s, and H-E-B are three of the top 10 green energy users in the retail sector.  Find out how these three retailers approached the idea of green power and the various methods they evaluated before moving forward. Hear how they actually finalized their green power procurement decisions and what the benefits of green power have meant to them.

C: New Strategies to Educate Consumers, Kevin Tuerff, EnviroMedia & Gene Kahn, General Mills
The Federal Trade Commission is working on a major update to its environmental marketing standards. EnviroMedia co-founder Kevin Tuerff will discuss strategies for replacing greenwashing with authentic green marketing. You’ll hear research and trends on how consumers verify claims, plus suggested tactics to leverage new and existing marketing channels.
 
D: Greenhouse Gas Regulations, Susan Wickwire, Chief, Energy Supply and Industry Branch, Climate Protection Partnerships Division, EPA & Andre de Fontaine, Pew Center on Global Climate Change
Major legislation on energy and climate change has already moved through the House and is making its way through the Senate. This session will provide an update on EPA’s Mandatory Reporting Rule, the latest news on Capitol Hill and the potential implications for the retail sector.

11:30am-1:15pm: Lunch, to be served in the Exhibit Hall

1:30pm-2:30pm: Closing the Loop: Product Stewardship and the Retailer’s Role, Leo Raudys, Best Buy; Michael Chenard, Lowe's; W. Richard Gartman, Texas Instruments & Bob Sorvillo, Shaw Environmental (moderator)
As environmental questions around the products we buy increase, everyone involved in the lifespan of the product is called upon to take a shared responsibility for environmental stewardship. Over the past years, retailers have raised their profile regarding their role in product stewardship initiatives. Retailers are being asked to sell environmentally preferable products, educate consumers on the need to buy green products, collect products at end-of-life and properly manage those they no longer want. This interactive session, moderated by Bob Sorvillo of the Shaw Group, will explore innovative approaches to product stewardship and address questions from participants.

2:45pm-3:45pm: Breakout Sessions 
A. Best Practices in Product Chemicals Management in the Retail Industry, Yve Torrie, Lowell Center for Sustainable Management; John Leyenberger, Wal-Mart; Roger McFadden, Staples
At this session, the Lowell Center for Sustainable Production at the University of Massachusetts Lowell will release a report, produced in partnership with the Green Chemistry and Commerce Council (GC3), titled “Best Practices in Product Chemicals Management in the Retail Industry.” The report features case studies of innovative retailers, which look at the drivers of product chemicals management systems, structure of the different systems, obstacles encountered, benefits recognized, information low with consumers and lessons learned. The session will also highlight the innovative work of some retailers in addressing the issue of product chemicals management and to provide options for other retailers who are pursuing more sustainable business practices. A copy of the case studies will be available for session attendees.
 
B. Measure Before You Manage: Finding New Opportunities Through Improved Energy Management, Rob Keller, J.C. Penney, Michael Hewett, Publix, Mike Harris, Johnson Controls
Looking for a way to improve energy efficiency, lower costs, increase production productivity and reduce environmental impacts? Attend this session to learn how executing a successful energy efficiency program can provide opportunities that boost environmental performance and improve your bottom line.

C. Green Marketing: Articulating your Company's Sustainable Practices, Chet Chaffee, Scientific Certification Systems (SCS), Jim Thomas, J.C. Penney, Kevin Myette, REI 
As “sustainability” and “green” claims gain traction in the marketplace, product manufacturers are increasingly coming face-to-face with the complexities behind these claims. This session will delve into these complexities: ferreting out the hidden trade-offs behind apparent benefits, avoiding greenwashing, responding to retailer information requests, ensuring compliance with government regulations, deciding whether claims should be certified and communicating ac-accurately and transparently to consumers and shareholders.

D. Hazardous Materials Management: Compliance Throughout the Product Life Cycle, Isaac Powell, 3E & Ryan Williams, The Home Depot
Retailers are challenged with managing regulatory requirements for multiple agencies, as OSHA, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), and the EPA all enforce regulations related to hazardous materials for the entire retail industry. Most recently, following incidents involving hazardous materials and security, the DOT in particular has prioritized enforcement of regulations governing the packaging, shipping and handling of hazardous materials. In this session, attendees will learn about the top issues related to the management and transportation of hazardous materials, as well as tips for properly managing the regulatory information and the Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs) associated with these products.

4:00pm-5:00pm: The Evolving Consumer: Expectations and Insights in Green Retailing, Scott Bearse, Director, Deloitte Consulting
How do sustainable, “green,” considerations impact a consumer’s shopping behavior? What are the market opportunities for companies targeting these consumers? Hear this and more as Scott Bearse, a leader in Deloitte’s US Retail Practice, provides insights from a recent study that addressed essential questions about how shoppers integrate social and environmental values into their purchasing behaviors. Scott will present an overview of the insights gained from the study and the actions that retailers can take to attract the emerging sustainable shopper.

5:00pm-7:00pm: Cocktails and Hors D'oeuvres, to be served in the Exhibit Hall

Wednesday, October 7

8:00am-9:00am: Breakfast, to be served in the Exhibit Hall

9:15am-10:15am: A New Environmental Landscape for Retail, Roger Martella, Partner, Sidley Austin LLP
With major changes this year in the political and social conversation, Americans are preparing for major changes. From the increased push for a climate change strategy to greater focus on tactical issues such as transportation, air quality and water conservation, retailers are preparing for the changing environmental landscape. In the coming years, retailers will only have increased incentives to implement new and innovative strategies for environmental stewardship and compliance. This session, led by former EPA General Counsel and current Partner at Sidley Austin LLP Roger Martella, will explore exciting new opportunities for environmental sustainability.

10:30am-11:30am: Breakout Sessions
A. The Outdoor Industry Eco Index: Driving Innovation in Product Development, Amy Roberts, Outdoor Industry Association; Kevin Myette, REI; Colleen Kohlsaat, Levi Strauss & Co.; Kevin Hagen, REI (moderator)
The outdoor industry has many brands famous for their environmental leadership and has been a leader in product innovation. Over the past two years the industry has banded together, putting short term competitive advantage aside, to share information and collaborate on a common framework for evaluating product sustainability based on a life cycle assessment approach. The group now has more than 180 brands and organizations working with the Zero Waste Alliance, the EPA and others to launch a technically rigorous methodology for evaluating products. The hope is that this process will help design teams improve the environmental and social impacts of products from raw materials to end-of-life. In this session, key players from the program will talk about the index, the challenges of developing a common framework and how this work is driving innovation in the outdoor industry.

B. State Energy Programs and Green Tax Incentives, George Malek, ComEd Energy; Jon Dierking, Shaw Environmental; Barry Matchett, Environmental Law & Policy Center (ELPC) & Bob Sorvillo, Shaw Environmental (moderator) 
This session will focus on the current State Energy and Green Tax Incentives available to retailers throughout the US. The speakers will provide valuable input on funding available from State and Utilities Energy Efficiency Programs. They will also provide an overview of the ARRA and EECBG funding by State. Attendees will leave this session with a better understanding of state programs for energy efficiency and learn how to leverage them to reduce energy consumption and save money.

C. Water 2.0: Conservation Through Sustainable Operations, Mike Smith, Hy-Vee & Steve Van Duzen, Raintrapper
Many water-conscious retailers know about innovative water practices such as toilet flushing with harvested rainwater, greywater, and storm water for energy conservation, and other multi-point uses. In this session, Steve Van Duzen of the American Rainwater Catchment Systems Association (ARCSA) will take us beyond these practices to Water 2.0: water can be used to reduce storm water retention on properties, make solar more efficient, remove heat from buildings, irrigate and maintain green-roofs, and much more. Also, Mike Smith will bring in the retailer’s perspective by describing measures Hy-Vee has taken to reduce water consumption and to improve the quality of storm water exiting facilities. These measures include changes in building and site design and operational changes. This session will help attendees learn how to break the hydro-illogical cycle and start to use water wisely.
  
D. A Dialogue on Environmental Science and California's Regulations, Peggy Harris, California Department of Toxic Substances Control; Roger Bernstein, American Chemistry Council; Michael Chenard, Lowe's (moderator)
In September of 2008, Governor Schwarzenegger signed into law AB 1879 and SB 509, which together set California on a path to reduce pollution, encourage safer product formulations, stimulate research and inform consumers about the hazards associated with chemicals in products in everyday use. Called “benign by design,” the effort is designed to place decisions regarding chemical use in the hands of regulatory agencies and away from legislators – removing politics from science. Experience with having product emissions standards set below detectable levels and concepts such as the “Precautionary Principle” have some in industry concerned with how the program could impact products available for sale. Questions also exist around the availability of public and private money to support the research and education necessary to ensure the initiative’s success. In this session, we’ll dig into the issues and address any concerns or questions with two leading experts.

11:30am-1:00pm: Luncheon Session - Water Stewardship: The Coca-Cola Story, Bruce Karas, Director, Sustainability, Safety & Environmental Services, Coca-Cola
Awareness is growing among retailers and product manufacturers that the world’s water supply is in danger, threatened constantly by waste, contamination and aquifer depletion. In response to this threat, the Coca-Cola Company has set a goal to move towards replenishing water to replace the water used in products via its four core focus areas: plant performance, watershed protection, community initiatives, and global awareness and action. Bruce Karas, director of sustainability, will tell the story of Coca-Cola’s journey towards becoming a water-sustainable business, sharing best practices and lessons learned that will help retailers and product manufacturers looking to decrease the impact of their operations on the global water supply.

1:15pm-2:15pm: Breakout Sessions
A. Packaging: Reduction, Recyclability & Innovation, Laura Rowell, MeadWestvaco; Karen Raines, Costco; Jennifer Verrine, Estee Lauder
This session will explore how innovative design and material choices can positively impact the sustainability aspects of your packaging from manufacture to the ultimate consumer experience. Laura Rowell of MeadWestvaco will use two innovative new packaging designs by MWV, Natralock and MWare, as examples. This session will also discuss how some companies and industry groups are working to quantify sustainability and how, at some point, this may become greenwashing. For example, what do LCAs and carbon footprints really tell you – and your customer?
     
B. Sustainability Measurements Throughout the Product Life Cycle, Rand Waddoups, Senior Director, Business Sustainability, Wal-Mart; Jon Johnson, Co-Director of Sustaianbility Consortium, Walton College Professor of Sustainability
On July 16, Walmart asked the retail industry to join an effort to create a worldwide sustainability product index. The goal of this Sustainability Index is to gather data about products in order to evaluate their sustainability. he Sustainability Consortium was set up to further this mission and to work with retail and consumer products to develop the necessary data. Come hear more about what both Walmart and the Sustainability Consortium hope for.

C. Embedded Water: Examining the Supply Chain, Jon Taylor, WSP Environment & Energy; Kim Marotta, MillerCoors; Linda Hwang, Business for Social Responsibility (BSR); Will Teichman, Target (moderator)
In this session, the panel will focus on water-related issues at play in the global supply chain, including quantity and quality concerns. The panelists will identify issues of relevance to retailers, and will share some of the approaches that are being adopted to assess product-related water impacts and facilitate improved sourcing decision-making.

D. IT as an Enabler of Retail Sustainability Strategies, Jim Sullivan, SAP & Kevin Hagen, REI
Retailers are increasingly being pressured by expanding sustainability-driven regulations, volatile commodity prices, and consumer pressure on environmental and societal concerns. Faced with the challenge of implementing the governance and processes required to turn sustainability goals into reality, management is increasingly looking for IT to sustain their existing business processes. The session will focus on the Sustainability Map for future operations, and IT’s ability to close the strategy-to-execution gap through enterprise-wide sustainability performance management, operational carbon management and emerging environmental product foot printing.

2:30pm-3:30pm: The Economics and Business of Sustainability, Emma Duncan, Deputy Editor, The Economist
Emma Duncan is deputy editor of the Economist, and is one of today’s most insightful writers and thinkers on the economics and business of sustainability. This session will explore how our increasing awareness of the environmental impacts of doing business is changing the way retailers operate in Europe, the U.S. and world-wide. 

Check back often for speaker and session updates!

ESCC 2009 was a huge success! With record breaking attendence for both retailers/product manufacturers, ESCC 2009 was a huge success. Reserve your booth at next year's conference by filling out the letter of interest. Next year's event will again feature major retailers and industry leaders with firsthand experience integrating green practices into their respective companies.

Sponsorship:
RILA offers a variety of sponsorship packages from $5,000 to $50,000. The ESCC 2010 Sponsor/Exhibitor Prospectus will be available soon. Click here to download the ESCC 2009 Sponsor/Exhibitor Prospectus.

Why exhibit? 

As an exhibitor, you will:

• Gain direct access to the top executives of retail’s largest and most successful companies, and their consumer goods partners, all focused on environmental sustainability & compliance
• Speak directly to decision makers
• Educate customers and prospects about your company's latest innovations
• Meet with current customers and reinforce existing relationships
• Strengthen your company's brand among sustainability leaders
• Hear your customers concerns and challenges in substantive educational sessions
• Receive contact information for all participants in pre- and post-event attendee lists

RILA’s ESCC 2010 provides these great benefits:

• Dedicated exhibit hall hours with no conflicting events
• Limited booth sizes and numbers of exhibitors to ensure great customer ratios
• Monday and Tuesday night receptions with hors d'oeuvres and open bars intermixed with exhibits
• Breakfast and Lunch table settings intermingled with exhibits
• Educational sessions open to all exhibitors
• Match-a-Badge game that ensures fun, relaxed interaction
• Great Dallas/Frisco location and all events & hotel rooms under one roof

Who will attend?
Senior executives from retail and consumer goods companies with responsibility for:  

• environmental sustainability strategy & execution
• sustainable supply chains 
• store operations 
• internal & external communications
• real estate and store development
• environmental compliance 
• corporate and government affairs 
• corporate social responsibility

Who will exhibit?
Companies interested in promoting their products and services to the broad retail community in the areas of:

• environmental sustainability consulting 
• sustainable supply chains, including transportation, distribution, warehousing, etc. 
• waste management & recycling
• energy management, usage & conservation
• environmental compliance
• packaging
• carbon footprinting

General Exhibit Package*:
Exhibitors are limited to one 10x10 booth at the rate of $4000. Sponsorship packages are available to expand your space to a 10x20.
· 10x10 booth, 8’ backwall drape, 3’ siderail drape, and a uniform identification sign showing company name
· Full registration for 2 people
· Opportunity to purchase up to 1 additional registrations at a RILA member rate ($395) and non-member rate ($595).
· Pre- and post-conference list of attendees, each for one-time use
*See full contract for payment and registration requirements.

Contact us:

Tripp Taylor
(703) 600-2023
tripp.taylor@rila.org

-or-

Ashley De Boer
(703) 600- 2039
ashley.deboer@rila.org

With its cutting-edge educational sessions, prime networking opportunities and informative speakers, ESCC 2009 was a great example of the work RILA is doing to showcase the retail industry’s commitment to sustainability. Attendees were able to experience firsthand the quality of industry leaders spearheading this effort. We hope you will also have the opportunity to learn more about what RILA is doing in this area and decide to join us in our efforts.
 
Two years ago, RILA’s Board of Directors identified the importance of environmental sustainability to retail and made it a key component of our strategic plan. In answer, RILA pulled together retailers leading the charge to create an action-oriented initiative that addressed the challenges and opportunities within environmental sustainability and compliance. Together, we have put a stake in the ground, demonstrating to communities, legislators, regulators and non-governmental organizations that the retail industry is leading the way in alternatives within retail operations that do less harm to the environment and in providing innovative products and solutions that meet consumers’ needs.

Perhaps the greatest value that RILA has provided the industry is the opportunity for members to come together to discuss operational practices and concerns, and to work together to develop pragmatic solutions to challenges. As a combined voice, we have worked to advance the industry’s interests in this still growing and important area.

Read about some of the highlights of ESCC 2009:

RILA Environmental Sustainability & Compliance Conference Opens With Green Store Tours

The Economist’s Emma Duncan Closes RILA Sustainability Conference

RILA’s Environmental Sustainability and Compliance Conference Sees Record Breaking Attendance

Travel Schedule Recommendations:

To make the most out of your conference experience, we recommend the following travel schedule.
Arrive: Monday Oct 5 by 1 p.m. Ensures you don't miss the Green Store Tours
Depart: Wednesday Oct 7 after 5 p.m. Ensures you don't miss out on Emma Duncan's session

Hotel room rates reduced from $199/night to $159/night!

Hotel Information:
Embassy Suites Dallas-Frisco Hotel & Convention Center
7600 John Q. Hammons Drive
Frisco, TX 75034
Tel: 972-712-7200
Fax: 972-712-7221

RILA has reserved a block of sleeping rooms at the Embassy Suites Dallas-Frisco Hotel for conference participants. Room reservations can be made directly with the hotel. Guests can either reserve their rooms online using this link  or contact our designated group coordinator, Leah Byrd at leah.byrd@jqh.com or (972) 963-9157 to make reservations under the RILA block. Use group code RIL to receive our association rate of $159/night. This rate is available on a first-come, space available basis through September 10, 2009. Please note that if you cancel your conference registration, you will need to cancel your hotel reservation as rooms under the RILA block are for conference participants only.

The Embassy Suites Dallas-Frisco Hotel and Conference Center has a clear track record of instituting sustainable policies. Their single-stream recycling efforts have greatly reduced their carbon footprint.

Additionally Embassy Suite’s parent company, Hilton Hotels, plans to accomplish the following by 2014

• Reduce energy consumption from direct operations by 20%
• Reduce Co2 emissions by 20%
• Reduce output of waste by 20%
• Reduce water consumption by 10%

Hotel Parking:
If you are renting a car, valet parking is offered at the Embassy Suites for at the rate of $8 per day, $14 per overnight. Covered self-parking is available for $6 per day, $8 per overnight. There is no cost for curb side self parking, but availability is limited.

Hotel Concierge:
Should you wish to contact the Hotel’s Concierge prior to your arrival to make dinner reservations or other social arrangements, please call 972-712-7200 and ask to be connected to the Hotel’s Concierge.

Hotel Business Center:
The business center is located in the convention center opposite of Frisco Ballroom 3. It is open from daily from 7am - 5pm. Guests may receive faxes through the business center by using fax 972-963-9166. For more information call 972-624-7059.

Conference Attire:
Business casual clothing, which includes slacks and a collared shirt for men, and slacks or a skirt with a blouse for ladies, is appropriate for all conference activities. Average early autumn temperatures in Dallas-Frisco range from 64 - 85 degrees, and meeting rooms are often cool. 

Special Needs:
Please contact Azure O'Neil at 703-600-2034 if you have any disabilities or dietary restrictions that require special accommodation.

Other Information:
This is a non-smoking conference.
All sessions are closed to the press.

Conference Cancellation & Refund Policy:
If a cancellation is requested on or before August 11, 2009, RILA will process a refund in the same manner that the registration payment was made, less a processing fee of 10% per registration. If a cancellation is requested between August 12 and September 22, 2009, RILA will process a refund in the same manner that the registration payment was made, less a processing fee of 50% per registration. Cancellation requests received on or after September 22, 2009 are non-refundable. Registered attendees may transfer their registrations to another individual from the same company at any time. All cancellation and transfer requests must be sent in writing. Please e-mail ashley.deboer@rila.org to cancel in writing.

Disclaimer:
The RILA Environmental Sustainability & Compliance Conference has been organized by RILA and the conference steering committee. The presentations and opinions of speakers and participants are not necessarily those of RILA or its member companies.

Questions?
Call RILA's Conference Department at 703-841-2300.