ED BEGLEY, JR. TO APPEAR AT GREEN BUILDING FOCUS CONFERENCE & EXPO
Actor/environmentalist will speak and meet conference delegates
Organizers of the Green Building Focus Conference and Expo announced today that Ed Begley, Jr. has agreed to speak at the conference on July 28 at the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Center. His appearance was arranged in conjunction with ARC, an Alabama energy consulting firm that will be exhibiting their GreenSwitch product at the event, an energy saving device that is endorsed by Mr. Begley.
Alive2green, a specialized media company that operates green building events worldwide, is organizing the conference in conjunction with co-hosts Associated Builders and Contractors – Alabama Chapter, American Institute of Architects – Alabama Chapter, the United States Green Building Council – Alabama Chapter and the International Code Council. Earlier this month, Green Building Focus was rescheduled for July 28-29 to accommodate a larger speaker panel and increase the delegate capacity.
The event is designed specifically to motivate and educate the region’s leading architects, engineers, property owners, construction executives and government officials on the latest trends, techniques, technologies and materials available in the green building movement.
“I am honored to have the opportunity to speak to design and construction professionals from across the Southeast. These professionals have the opportunity to affect real change through sustainable building practices, and their interest in doing so is critical to the future of our nation,” said Begley.
Begley’s rise to fame began with his role as Dr. Victor Ehrlich on the television series “St. Elsewhere,” for which he earned six Emmy nominations. His film credits include “Pineapple Express,” “A Mighty Wind,” “Batman Forever,” “The Accidental Tourist” and “The In-Laws.” Begley currently stars in the CBS comedy series “Gary Unmarried.” This spring, he can be seen co-starring in the new Woody Allen film “Whatever Works.” He delivers his green message through the Planet Green reality series “Living With Ed” where he co-stars with his wife Rachelle Carson. Begley is also a published author, penning the green how-to book “Living Like Ed” in 2008. His second book “Ed Begley, Jr.’s Guide to Sustainable Living” will be released in September.
Begley has since leveraged his notoriety to speak out regarding environmental issues. He has devoted much of his time in service with numerous environmental organizations, including serving on the boards of the Environmental Media Association and the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy, and he has earned awards from prestigious organizations such as the Natural Resources Defense Council for his work with environmental issues. His home in Los Angeles is self-sufficient, running on solar energy.
Currently one of the most popular speakers on eco-living in America, Begley’s theme, “Live Simply So That Others Can Simply Live,” has received standing ovations at over 50 events in just the last year.
“Ed Begley, Jr. is not only a talented and accomplished actor, but also a passionate advocate for environmental issues,” said James Smith, president and CEO of Green Building Focus. “We are excited to host Mr. Begley and hear his thoughts and ideas regarding sustainability.”
Green Building Focus has drawn support from leading professional organizations and companies in the design and construction industry. In addition to its co-hosts, exhibitors and sponsors include ADECA, APC by Schneider Electric, B.L. Harbert International, Caddell Construction, Centiva, Davis Architects, Dryvit Systems, Dunn Construction, Edgefield Lumber, Ferguson Bath, Greenblock Worldwide, Icynene, International Paper, John Deere Landscapes, Marvin Windows and Doors, McWane, O’Neal Steel, Phillips, Robins & Morton, Xero Flor America and many others.
“With green building construction starts expected to triple to $60 billion by next year, the green building market is one of the only bright spots in the economy at the moment,” said Smith. “Proactive architects, engineers and construction executives realize that they can seize this opportunity to grow their business even in the declining economy. Green Building Focus is designed for built environment professionals with an aim to educate them on how they can capitalize on this growing market while at the same time making a difference in the natural environment and improving people’s lives.”
About alive2green, LLC: With offices in Cape Town, South Africa, London and Birmingham, Ala., alive2green, LLC aims to enhance architectural, engineering and environmental scholarship in design, history, built environment, cultural studies, technology, theory, and practice related to sustainable building and construction activities. The mission of alive2green is to broaden the study of sustainable building and construction (SBC) activities and to be a forum for built environment professionals and educators to exchange ideas on the many facets of sustainable building and construction.