SPECIAL EVENTS DURING GREENBUILD

NBC’s Chief congressional correspondent Lisa Myers talks about the nation’s political climate.

Greenbuild Legacy Project
Zenger Urban Agricultural Park

The USGBC has selected the Zenger Urban Agricultural Park to be the 2004 Greenbuild International Conference and Expo Legacy Project.  The Legacy Project supports a local Portland, Oregon non-profit organization implementing green building practices and using the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Green Building Rating System.  The Zenger Urban Agricultural Park is a 16-acre urban farm and wetland in southeast Portland.  This farm-based learning center, operated by non-profit group Friends of Zenger Farm, provides opportunities for area students to learn about environmental stewardship in a hands-on way.  The farm also plays an important role in the community as a provider of fresh organic produce to local families and by providing business development opportunities for immigrant families. Click here to read a recent article on the project.

The USGBC Legacy Project will be the focus of a LEED Charrette on USGBC Day, Tuesday, November 9, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., and will include a tour to Zenger Farm.  On USGBC Day, members will get a look inside a LEED design charrette during interactive workshops.  Design teams will simulate an actual charrette on a LEED-CI project and the Zenger Farms project.  The design teams will participate in plenary discussions and break out in smaller groups to cover individual topic areas related to each project.  These sessions are open to USGBC members only.

Potlatch - A Cascadia Celebration
Wednesday, 6:30-10:00 PM
Wieden & Kennedy Headquarters, 224 NW 13th Ave.

Potlatch - Definition:  A) n. Among some North American Indians of the Pacific coast, an extravagant and competitive ceremonial feast at which a person, esp. a chief, gives presents and gives away or destroys possesions in order to enhance his or her status B) colloq. A wild party.

Celebrate our take on this regional tradition, a festive evening of local storytelling, performance art, music, and seasonal cuisine and drink.  Honoring Portland as a center of "Salmon Nation," a reference to the watersheds and geography that define the Pacific Northwest, Cascadia Potlatch will be held in the Wieden & Kennedy world headquarters, one of Portland's most architecturally important buildings.  This exquisitely rennovated five-story, heavy timber warehouse is located in the heart of Portland's creative and art center, the Pearl District. 

Nights-on-the-Town

At your leisure, eat.shop.Portland by choosing some of the most interesting eating and drinking experiences in the city’s unique neighborhood restaurants, breweries, pubs and hip night spots – all within reach of Portland’s award-winning public transportation system (light rail, streetcar or bus available from the convention center). Stop by the Cascade booth to pick up your free self-guided map highlighting each local establishment.

The Outdoor Experience – Lunchtime Activities

Throughout the week of the Greenbuild conference, the Host committee has organized a variety of fun lunchtime activities that will get you out of Convention Center and into the heart of Portland’s colorful, natural neighborhoods.

Eco-River Tour during lunch - hosted through Willamette Riverkeepers.
Walks on the Riverbank Esplanade, with maps and signs available to attendees.
Waterfront Bicycle Rentals will give Greenbuild Expo registrants a special bicycle rental rate of $60 for the week. All rentals include a helmet and lock. They will deliver the bike to your downtown-area hotel for an additional $5. To insure availability, and get this rate, reservations need to be made in advance of the event, subject to availability. There is no cancellation fee if reservations are cancelled one week before the scheduled rental date. Any cancellations less than one week before the rental time will be charged the full rental rate. Bikes are due back the afternoon of Thursday November 11th. Call 503.227.1719, email Waterfront Bicycle Rentals, or visit their website, to reserve your bike for the week. Make sure to mention you are attending Greenbuild.

Run, Walk, Bike the Esplanade

Just a hop, skip and jump from the convention center.

The Eastbank Esplanade provides visitors with a unique and distinctively urban experience. Tucked between Interstate 5 and the Willamette River, the Esplanade is a 1.5-mile pedestrian/cycling trail that offers a great view of the city skyline and features a 1,200 foot floating walkway as well as easy access to four of the bridges that cross the Willamette River.  The Esplanade offers unparalleled views of downtown Portland and leaves visitors with a whole new perspective of the river and the city.

Bicycles will be available to rent over the lunch hour at the Convention Center.  Ride the east-side esplanade & Waterfront Park loop with great river and downtown views, all in a car-free zone! No advanced reservations are needed, but to guarantee availability, reserve a bike by calling 503.227.1719,  email Waterfront Bicycle Rentals, or visit their website.

Maps of the Esplanade and Bicycle rentals will be available to conference attendees at the Cascade Booth.

River Renaissance: Willamette River EcoTour
Wednesday and Thursday, 12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Enjoy your lunch break with an informative tour of the Willamette River that explores its rich history, diverse ecology, and varied environmental challenges.  Highlights will include visits to Portland's working harbor, urban habitat and Salmon restoration sites, catalytic riverside development, and Portland's "Big Pipe," a 10 year $1 billion effort to clean up Oregon's largest and most impacted watershed. 

The Cascade Booth (Local Host Committee)

The Cascade booth will be the staging ground for packet pickup and questions for local activities including: Northwest Cultural Potlatch Dinner, Green Building Tours, Outdoor Experiences, River EcoTour, Local Initiatives Poster Display and the Convention Center Tours.