Thanks To Lance Orton from CenterPoint Energy for his fantastic presentation on "Reducing Energy and Recieving Rebates While Increasing Restaurant Profit." Lance provided a great deal of insight not only into the rebate programs available, but also simple steps restaurants can take in order to be more efficient. Some truly outstanding information. Lance has shared his presentation with us and it is posted here. I would encourage anyone with any questions or interest to reach out to Lance and CenterPoint Energy. Thanks Lance!

RestaurantFoodservicePowerPoint Final Draft.ppt (2.06 mb)

Our final quarterly networking event for the year 2010 was held on Tuesday, November 16 at The Green Corner Store and was a wonderful success. The Green Corner Store was a fantastic host and provided a basket weaving demonstration from Native Works, delicious locally-made food, refreshing beverages, and sustainably grown coffee from Mountain Bird Coffee Company.  Check out the coverage on the Clean & Green segment of Talk Busness with Roby Brock.  Thank you to The Green Corner Store and all of the participants.

Our much anticipated quarterly networking event on Tuesday, September 28 at Polk Stanley Wilcox Architects was a wonderful success. Polk Stanley Wilcox Architects were fantastic hosts, and provided a great presentation concerning green building. They also provided delicious food, refreshing beverages, and a picturesque setting by the river. Thank you to Polk Stanley Wilcox Architects and all of the participants.
 

Check out some of our photos of the SBNCA Quarterly Networking event at Polk Stanley Wilcox Architects.

 

Our much anticipated quarterly networking event will be held on Tuesday, September 28 from 5:30-7:30pm at Polk Stanley Wilcox Architects, right off of Riverfront Drive in Little Rock.

Our last networking event was a full house and this is an event you won't want to miss!  You'll have an opportunity to meet and network with other sustainability-minded professionals, enjoy food and beverages, learn more about Polk Stanley Wilcox Architects, and enjoy the beautiful view and breeze of the river.
 
Mark your calendar and RSVP to events@sbnca.org; suggested donation to SBNCA is $10/person.

Come to this workshop to learn an innovative way to “Save Energy & Money for Your Business & Employees.”  Learn how Addison Shoe Factory saved money following an energy audit.  The savings were used to create a revolving loan fund for employees to implement energy efficiency measures at home.  As an employee benefit, the company provides free home energy audits and employees can borrow no-interest loans from the company-created revolving loan fund to implement recommendations from the audit.  Loans are repaid to the fund from the energy savings employees experience as a result of more energy-efficient homes.  This program is being piloted at other businesses around the state of Arkansas.  Could your business start its own program?  Come to this workhopsCfree

This workshop is scheduled for Tuesday, September 14 from 12-1pm at the Arkansas Studies Institute (401 President Clinton Avenue, Little Rock).  The presenters will be Martha Jane Murray (Clinton Foundation and HEAL AR) and Ashley Davis. 

Paid parking is available in the River Market parking deck, Library parking lot, River Market parking lot, private lots, or street parking.  Space is limited and reservations and pre-payment are required.  The workshop costs $10/person and you can RSVP to info@sbnca.org.  Don't forget to bring your lunch. 

This workshop is co-sponsored by the SBNCA and the Little Rock Regional Chamber of Commerce.

You are cordially invited to our next professional networking event on Tuesday, June 22 from 5:30-7:00 pm at Williams & Anderson PLC (111 Center Street, Little Rock).  You will enjoy finger foods, beverages, networking with other sustainability-minded professionals, and an incredible bird's eye view of the city from the offices of Williams & Anderson PLC, an SBNCA Charter Member.  Cost is $10 per person and you can RSVP to info@sbnca.org.

Are you interested in conserving water at your business and reducing your water bills?  Then you need to know “How to Conduct a Water Audit.”  Come to this workshop to learn to analyze water consumption, identify problems, and implement conservation measures. 

The workshop is Tuesday, June 8 from 12-1pm at the Arkansas Studies Institute (401 President Clinton Avenue, Little Rock).  The presenter will be Val Henry of Central Arkansas Water.  Paid parking is available in the River Market parking deck, Library parking lot, River Market parking lot, private lots, or street parking.  The workshop costs $10/person and you can RSVP to info@sbnca.org.  Space is limited and reservations and pre-payment are required.  Don't forget to bring your lunch.The workshop is co-sponsored by the Little Rock Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Sustainable Business Network of Central Arkansas (SBNCA). 

Are you interested in reducing your business’ energy usage and electric bills?  Then you need to know “How to Conduct an Energy Audit.”  Come to this workshop to learn the top 10 energy conservation projects with the greatest return on investment, how to conduct a rate analysis and utility bill analysis, how to benchmark, how to determine the simple payback period of a project, where to find funding for energy efficiency projects, and information on how to present an energy-focused capital improvement project. 

The workshop is Tuesday, May 11 from 12-1pm at the Arkansas Studies Institute (401 President Clinton Avenue, Little Rock).  The presenter will be Jeffrey Richards of CLEAResult Consulting and the Program Manager for Entergy Arkansas Large Commercial and Industrial programs.  Paid parking is available in the River Market parking deck, Library parking lot, River Market parking lot, private lots, or street parking.  The workshop costs $10/person and you can RSVP to info@sbnca.org.  Space is limited and reservations and pre-payment are required.  Don't forget to bring your lunch.

Are you interested in reducing your waste, reducing your haul fees, and increasing (or starting) recycling?  Then you need to know “How to Conduct a Waste Audit” in order to determine how much waste you have, what type of waste you have, what types of recyclables you are discarding, and to set goals for improvement.  Come to this workshop to learn 10 easy steps for conducting a waste audit of your business.  You've heard of dumpster diving?  We promise there will be no dumpster and no diving required! 

The workshop is Tuesday, April 13 from 12-1pm at the Arkansas Studies Institute (401 President Clinton Avenue, Little Rock).  The presenter will be Robert Hunter of the Recycling Branch of the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality.  Paid parking is available in the River Market parking deck, Library parking lot, River Market parking lot, private lots, or street parking.  The workshop costs $10/person and you can RSVP to info@sbnca.org.  Space is limited and reservations and pre-payment are required.  Don't forget to bring your lunch.

We had a terrific turnout at our first networking event on Feb. 23.  There was an estimated crowd of approximately 40 business leaders from Central Arkansas, all interested in one thing...green and sustainable business!  How exciting that everyone could join us at Dizzy's Gypsy Bistro and meet other sustainability-minded business persons.  We can't wait for our next quarterly networking event!  We hope you'll join us in June.