New event puts sustainability at center stage

Sustainability Slam to promote innovative enviro, workplace initiatives

The inaugural Sustainability Slam, a fast-paced event designed as the latest initiative in NH Businesses for Social Responsibility’s ongoing Just One Thing campaign, will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 15 at LaBelle Winery in Amherst.

The event, presented by NHBSR and the Velcro Companies will recognize businesses and organizations for their environmental, community and workplace initiatives, while encouraging more businesses to get involved with Just One Thing.

Slam attendees will hear 12 winning stories, selected by an independent judging panel of sustainability experts, each in 90 seconds or less. Attendees will select the winning stories using their phones to access a polling app with live results identifying the winner.

“The Sustainability Slam is not your typical awards event”, said Lisa Landry, President of Savvy Workshop, creative director for the event. “We’re making this a great event to expand your networks and have fun while learning about innovative approaches benefitting the environment, our communities and our workplaces.”

Finalists were selected by a panel of sustainability experts – Lisa Drake, director of sustainability innovation at Stonyfield Farm, Matt Gardner, principal of Sustainserv, and Fiona Wilson, co-director of the Center for Social Innovation and Enterprise at UNH’s Paul College of Business and Economics.

Stories were selected in each of the following three categories, identifying finalists in the large and small organization category for each.

 • Environmental initiatives, large company: Hannaford’s and Coca Cola Bottling of Northern New England

 • Environmental initiatives, small company: Grappone Conference Center and Sequoya Technologies

 • Community initiatives, large company: Monadnock Paper Mills and Keene State College

 • Community initiatives, small company: Brown & Company and LifeWise Community Projects

 • Workplace initiatives, large company: Timberland and Goodwill Industries of Northern New England

 • Workplace initiatives, small company: W.S. Badger and Image 4

“Sustainable business practices help create amazing connections, which is what Velcro Companies is all about,” said Scott Filion, president, Americas, for Velcro Companies. The Sustainability Slam provides great examples for other companies to follow.”

In addition to Velcro Companies’ presenting sponsorship, the Sustainability Slam is also supported by Media Sponsors NH Business Review and NH Public Television, Slam Award Sponsors Coca-Cola Bottling of Northern New England, Wire Belt and ReVision Energy, Creative Director Sponsor Savvy Workshop, Signage Sponsor Image 4, Printing Sponsor The RAM Companies and Silent Auction Sponsor Normandeau Associates.

For more information or to register for the event, visit nhbsr.org/jot.