Green Entrepreneur Small Business Forum

When: Friday, August 19th
Time: 10:00 am to 12:00 pm
Where: Boston City Hall Plaza, EcoTent


Keynote Speaker 1:  Mr. Vincent DeVito

What Small Business Opportunities Exist in the Green Sector?

Mr. DeVito currently serves as Director of the Institute for Energy and Sustainability in Central Massachusetts, sits on the Board of Directors for the Northeast Midwest Institute in Washington, DC, is a member of the Worcester City Manager's Energy Task Force, and sits on the Advisory Board of Greenopolis.com. He is a partner at the law firm, Bowditch and Dewey.

Frequent television commentator, speaker and author on issues regarding energy and climate change, Mr DeVito has delivered numerous regulatory and policy addresses before such organizations as The World Energy Council, the International Atomic Energy Agency, the International Energy Agency, the Western Hemispheric Energy Ministerial, the Asian Pacific Economic Council, the Chatham House of London, the Center for Strategic International Studies, the International Energy Forum, and the Council for Environmental Cooperation. Mr. DeVito also issues a newsletter that currently focuses on renewable energy, clean technologies and the opportunities, challenges, and business solutions presented by modern market policies.

Mr. Craddock is currently the President of the Craddock Group and former Vice President of Finance at MassDevelopment. He is currently in the process of starting his own small green business. A Harvard graduate, he has experience with several small businesses and with large corporations. Mr. Craddock has a wealth of experience to draw from and will provide tips and practical advice.


Discussants Already Confirmed:

Greg Watson,
Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs

Christine Dunn, President, Savoir Media

Ms. Christine Dunn founded Savoir Media on the belief that in today's global, technology-driven economy, companies must develop a strategic communications program that provides a consistent voice both within their company, and externally across all platforms – from print to broadcast to the Internet.

Prior to starting Savoir Media, Ms. Dunn spent more than a decade at Bloomberg News as a reporter, editor and then team leader of several North America industry teams, including Consumer/Retail, Mutual Funds and Education. She also served as Bureau Chief in Boston, Bloomberg's second-largest market in North America after New York.

Beth Zonis, Principal, Eco Marketing

In 2009, Ms. Zonis founded Eco Marketing. She has over 25 years of experience in sales, marketing and business development. Ms. Zonis worked at IBM for 10 years, where she led global marketing of IBM's "Green Data Center" services. She grew the mid market business 125% year to year, and secured an unprecedented 70% of clients as references. She also provided significant input to Green IT: Why mid-size companies are investing now. Prior to her work at IBM she put several startups on the map – helping to grow one company from 10 to 1000 employees in five years.

Ms. Beth Zonis is an active member of several clean tech and ecological organizations: mentor in CleanTech Open competition since 2009; member of Lexington Energy Conservation Committee; member of Lexington Global Warming Action Coalition; member of Massachusetts Audubon Society; and founding member of Green Trade Association. She will serve as the moderator for today's discussion as well as panelist.


Participating Organizations:

Accion USA
TD Bank
US Small Business Administration
City of Boston's Small and Local Business Enterprise Office

(This program is not finalized...more to come!)

Pre-registration:
Due to limited seating space, pre-registered participants will be given seating preference. The event is free.
Click here to register.

If you have any questions or suggestions, please contact Mr. Owen Toney, Coordinator.

The Green Entrepreneur Small Business Forum
is organized by Mr. Owen Toney, Director of Green Neighbors Education Committee and by the Boston GreenFest 2011 Planning Team.