Report: Mia Green Expo and Conference

The Mia Green Expo and Conference took place in Miami, Florida at the Beach Convention Center on February 27th and 28th of 2014.

The Mia Green Expo and Conference took place in Miami, Florida at the Beach Convention Center on February 27th and 28th of 2014. The conference celebrated its 6th edition this year and is set for its 7th on February 11th and 12th of 2015.

The Mia Green Conference addresses the ever-expanding need for solid information on the green building, solar, energy saving, and clean tech industries for all of the Americas. The conference has broken new ground in presenting sustainable products and practices and has often been referred to as โ€œThe Green Conference of the Americas.โ€ The key note address, โ€œWearable Technology and the New Way to Interact with Users through Google Glassโ€, was delivered by Ouali Benmeziane at the conference. Ouali is a Google Glass explorer and founder of the website.

In the program portion of the event, Pamela Lanier gave a presentation on โ€œWhat Consumers are Most Interested and Most Willing to Pay for in Green Design.โ€ Attendees from nine different countries participated, and a lively dialogue ensued about environmental practices developing in each of their regions. Energy Smart Home Design, the only residential design firm named a research partner by the U.S. Department of Energy, gave an impressive presentation on their customizable plans of exciting designs, many of which with a tropical, coastal or Mediterranean influence. These plans have been developed to be readily modified while providing a dramatically reduced carbon footprint.

Some exciting new products debuted, including the ORCA System, an on-site waste processor which converts organic waste using microorganisms into earth-friendly water within 24 hours. The ORCA System can be enlarged to service large-scale hospitality applications as well as hospitals and stadiums, such as the system at the Dallas Cowboys stadium, and the Toronto Convention Center.

Eric Corey Freed in his presentation โ€œDesigning for Post-Carbon Economy: Itโ€™s Zero or Nothing,โ€ outlined the monumental changes happening in design from his perspective as one of the โ€œmost influential green architects in the USA.โ€ The National Fenestration Rating Council had a booth with detailed information to help builders and developers to utilize daylight and new lighting technology that reduces heat, significantly reducing energy expenditure. The Walalight: Neo-Natural LED Lighting showcases a breakthrough in LED lighting technology that promotes health by mimicking circadian rhythm by emitting a variety of lighting levels from simulated daylight to softer light. Leonardo Academy Sustainability Services provides training on sustainability, LEED, and emissions via webinar, on-site and on-demand. Other ongoing educational courses were provided on-site including LEED, IgCC and AIA Sustainable Projects Contract Documents. There is also a bilingual class in โ€œApproaching LEED in Latin America and the Caribbean a Practical Overview.โ€

Jose Garcia, the founder and convener of the conference, has reported so much growth that next yearโ€™s conference will be held at the Miami Airport Convention Center (MACC). The recently renovated as a state-of-the-art convention center features easy accessibility into the center of Miami, near main expressways and to the Miami International Airport. The new Mia Solar Event will simultaneously debut during Mia Green 2015.

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Linda Hohnholz

Editor in chief for eTurboNews based in the eTN HQ.

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