The 2013 CaGBC National Conference and Expo is taking place June 4-6, 2013 in Vancouver, and this year is featuring its first-ever Legacy Project. Interface, the modular carpet tile manufacturer that is looked to globally as a sustainability trailblazer in the contract furnishings industry and is a veteran of such programs, is leading this pre-conference activity. The Legacy Project is a concept
strongly aligned with the culture of sustainability – an initiative that contributes to the well-being of a community and demonstrates a sense of social responsibility. To that end, registered conference attendees will have the opportunity to participate in a “green makeover” of a Vancouver Native Housing Society (VNHS) senior residence facility.
According to Thomas Mueller, CaGBC president and CEO, “Globally, Interface has made a tradition of prefacing all of its corporate meetings with these types of roll-up-your sleeves and give-back-to-the-community initiatives, making it the perfect partner for our first Legacy Project. We’d like to encourage local CaGBC members and conference attendees to lend us a hand for this project and make a difference in our host community.”
As beneficiary of the CaGBC’s day long Legacy Project, VNHS, which is distinguished for providing safe, secure affordable housing for Aboriginal individuals and families in the Metro Vancouver area, has designated The Pendera for sprucing up. It is one of the 15 housing complexes operated by the organization that services more than 1,000 residents, and the location in downtown Vancouver at 133 West Pender Street, has 114 units primarily occupied by single residents.
“The Legacy Project participants will be helping with interior upgrades – painting, installing new flooring provided by Interface – and then also working on exterior improvements, such as weeding, planting and other landscaping needs,” said Nadine Gudz, director of sustainability strategy for Interface, who helped in guiding the CaGBC with this first-ever project. “Home Depot Canada Foundation also is providing support for the project so that we can fully spiff up the spaces and make a difference.”
For more information on registering for this program, CaGBC members and conference attendees can visit CaGBC’s Legacy page. The annual CaGBC National Conference brings together sustainably-minded businesses, organizations and individuals, and encourages them to look beyond their day to day work and embrace the bigger picture.
For more information on the conference and to register, please visit www.cagbc.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=National_Events.