Last chance for local sustainable businesses

Last chance for local sustainable businesses to register for Expo

Businesses of the Queenstown Lakes District that are interested in, or inspired by, sustainable practice are set to gather on Friday 5 November for an Expo which showcases and supports sustainable practices, products and services in the region.

And businesses and community organizations interested in registering to showcase their products or sustainable practice stories need to do so by the end of this week (Friday, October 22).

‘Showcasing Sustainable Practice’ takes place from 9am to 4pm at Queenstown Memorial Hall, hosted by the Centre for Sustainable Practice in collaboration with the Queenstown Lakes Sustainable Business Programmes. While there is a nominal exhibitor’s fee ($80) for businesses, there is no charge for community organisations to exhibit. The expo is free for all businesses and public to attend.

The event will include exhibitors showcasing products and practices that are sustainable, inspirational keynote speakers and a discussion panel. Several organisations are already confirmed to exhibit ranging from activity and accommodation operators in the tourism sector; companies from the construction and design industries and community organisations.

Director of Otago Polytechnic’s Centre for Sustainable Practice Steve Henry said he was delighted with the response to the Expo and that the event was shaping up to be “a unique and compelling gathering of local leaders in sustainability.”

“The Expo brings together many businesses in the Southern Lakes who are either committed to sustainability or interested in becoming so,” he said.

“It gives those with a like-minded focus towards sustainability the opportunity to network, learn more, become inspired and share their ideas with their fellow attendees on what it has taken for them to become more sustainable.”

Aside from the exhibition hall, the Expo includes introductions from the Queenstown Lakes Sustainable Business Programmes partners - Otago Polytechnic, Queenstown Lakes District Council, Destination Queenstown, Queenstown Chamber of Commerce and Lake Wanaka Tourism.

Expert presentations from International Business Journalist, Sunday Star Times and Good Magazine Columnist Rod Oram, Rachel Vaughan of the Green Globe Certified Kaikoura Community, and CEO of Envirocomp Ltd Karen Upston will be broadcast by Skype and Paula McCallum GM of Qualmark will deliver a keynote speech in person.

Other activities include an interactive forum that enables participants to share successes, challenges and offer insights around best practice.

“The event aims to support and showcase businesses and community organisations that deliver sustainable practice in the Queenstown Lakes District through their products and services,” said Mr Henry.

To view the full Showcasing Sustainable Practice agenda visit the Centre for Sustainable Practice website.

ENDS

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