Listen to David Gottfried's forum.

Global transformational change in how we conduct business and make products is undergoing explosive growth. This societal cultural change is fueled by understanding and embracing the principles of sustainability and life-cycle value. The core of value includes efficient use of precious resources, environmental restoration and protecting our health. The results are tremendous: increased profitability for our businesses, personal lives and the planet.

The building industry is leading the charge towards sustainability through creation of green buildings. The catalyst of this leadership is the nation's fastest growing industry coalition, the U.S. and World Green Building Councils. Now with 6,000 organizational members in ten countries, the green building council network has defined green building with its building rating systems and integrated organizational approach. The U.S. Green Building Council's LEED Rating System for new construction is now being used by over 200 million square feet. Even though less than 5 years old, it has captured over 5 percent of the U.S. market. LEED's various products are becoming an industry for green building. USGBC now has 20,000 LEED Accredited Professionals.

The greening movement is also being adopted by corporations, as they embrace the principles of life cycle assessment in materials and product research, development of sustainable products and services, companywide procurement, transportation and transparent reporting. Wall Street and industry evaluation of companies is now incorporating environmental screening. A company's relative level of green is now impacting its bottom line and market valuation.

David Gottfried will share insight, stories and experience from his personal "greening" journey on these life-changing trends of sustainability -- as he progressed from a real estate developer in the booming 1980s to founder of the U.S. and World Green Building Councils, and a pioneering green management consultant.

Bio:
David Gottfried has over two decades of multidisciplinary real estate, consulting and non-profit organizational experience in the building industry: as a real estate developer, construction manager, sustainable development management consultant, and founder of the U.S. and World Green Building Councils. Gottfried is the President of WorldBuild Technologies Inc., founded in 1994. The firm works exclusively with clients that strive to lessen our reliance on limited natural resources and wasteful practices, while boosting lifecycle-based economics and quality of life. WorldBuild has served as the sustainable development consultant for many of the leading and award-winning sustainable organizations and projects in the United States.

Mr. Gottfried received his degree in Engineering and Resource Management from Stanford University and is a regular lecturer for Stanford's Civil Engineering Department. He has published dozens of articles and conducted hundreds of speeches worldwide. Gottfried is the recipient of the Environmental Enterprise Award from Acterra Business Environmental Network. He is the founding Chairman of ASTM's Green Building Committee, and the Managing Editor of the U.S. DOE- and EPA- funded Sustainable Building Technical Manual. He is the author of Greed to Green: the transformation of an industry and a life, published in 2004.