RBA business to business expo promotes green business practices

Annual Bridging Borders B-to-B Expo Goes Green

September 25 , 2007
By Rebekah Binger

The Rockland Business Association in association with the Mahwah Regional Chamber of Commerce will host the “Bridging Borders—2007 B-to-B Expo,” on October 18, at the Park Ridge Marriott Park Ridge, NJ. Brunch will begin at 10:30am and the ribbon cutting for the Expo booth exhibits will be at 12 noon. The exhibit hours will run until 5:00pm, after which there will be an “after-hours” cocktail party for exhibitors and attendees until 7:30pm.

Reduce, reuse, recycle—once the mantra of the environmental community, is now being embraced by business choosing to go green. This change will be highlighted at the Rockland Business Association’s annual Business-to-Business EXPO, held in conjunction with the Mahwah Regional Chamber, which for the first time will feature a “Green Aisle” showcasing businesses in the green field and those who incorporate environmentally conscious programs into their practices.

“There’s business in green,” RBA Vice President, Development Roger Scheiber said. “It’s getting bigger and bigger and we need to let businesses know that there are green resources in our county, so that they can use them.”

Scheiber emphasized the important role business will play in creating a greener region. “Without the business community participating, it’s not going to get done,” he said. “We want to show people how they can market green in their own business.”

Green aisle exhibitors like MetroPool, who are also sponsoring the aisle, will share practical approaches with businesses on steps they can take to improve the environment. “We provide bus schedules and information on employee car pooling. We can also help facilitate vans for commuting,” MetroPool Regional Manager Carol Ryan said. Ryan said the small changes businesses make lead to major improvements. “For each vehicle with a single-occupant commuter we get off the road that’s a lot less air pollution,” she said.

Brendan Hughes, a project coordinator for NYSERDA, said he’s seen more and more companies choosing to go green. “It’s like following the leader, once a few people start to pick up solar panels, and talk about how great it is and how it’s helping their businesses, others will pick them up.”

Businesses who visit the NYSERDA booth at the EXPO can learn about their many approaches to fostering greener business. One option they provide is their Energy Audit Program, which targets companies considering renovating their facilities.

“Someone comes in and does a walk through to their facility and give them recommendations on how to improve their energy efficiency throughout their building,” Hughes said. “This could mean new lighting, heating, ventilation and air conditioning, to reduce the costs of their utilities and energy costs.”

Hughes said the quickest and easiest first step a business could take in terms of going green is to change their lighting. “Switch to an energy efficient bulb that will last longer. It may cost more now, but it will save you money in the long run,” he said.

The RBA hopes the green aisle further establishes the relationship between the business and environmental communities. “We see a great opportunity for us to work together,” Scheiber said.

There are still booths available in the green aisle, which is open to all businesses that are making strides towards going green. The aisle will be centrally located. To sign up for a booth in the aisle, simply call the RBA office at 845-735-2100.