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Media Release 17 September

Suzanne McNamara

Visitors can take a tour through a sustainable pop-up city to view and interact with the latest designs, products and technology at the Sustainable City Showcase on 22-24 November at The Cloud on Queen’s Wharf, Auckland.

The Showcase, which is organised by the Sustainable Business Network (SBN), and supported by Waterfront Auckland, is open to the public and entry is free.

CEO of the SBN Rachel Brown says that the Sustainable City Showcase is a unique opportunity to experience the latest thinking in sustainable living.

“120 businesses and innovators will come together under one roof to create a buzzing marketplace, cleverly arranged into zones of a sustainable city,” she says.

“We’re really excited about being able to inspire and educate visitors with the large number of very practical and inspirational solutions that already exist. Together the exhibitors, which include business solution providers, Council and community organisations, show that sustainable cities are a practical option for New Zealand. Whether you’re interested in travel, food, fashion, homes or workplaces, come and check out these exciting sustainable options.”

Businesses that are at the forefront of environmentally aware and sustainable practices will showcase their products and services in different zones of a ‘pop-up’ city. The zones range from transport and commuting to workplace and business solutions, and from home and lifestyle to fashion and entertainment.  Cafés and bars will serve a variety of delicious organic and fairtrade food and drink.

In addition, interactive workshops and seminars from thought leaders will take place throughout the three-day event. The Showcase on Thursday 22 November will focus specifically on business, with a series of short presentations covering a range of topics targeting CEOs, CFOs and key influencers in business.

Ms Brown says that while the SBN organised a similar event last year, this year’s Showcase is much bigger and is expected to attract 8000 visitors.

The SBN helps businesses move to more resilient and responsible profit by providing practical support, charting trends and sharing success stories.
“Our network connects companies committed to reshaping profit into something we can all be proud of,” says Ms Brown.

Pop-up City Zones

Transport

On arrival visitors will find themselves in the Transport and Commute zone, where a cluster of the latest hybrid and electric car options from major car brands will be on display.
Of course sustainable transport is about much more than cars and a bike shop will present visitors with a range of options to get from A to B in the cleanest way possible. From the hipster fixie to the urban commuter and everything in between you’ll also learn about the emerging technologies and initiatives that will make New Zealand cities cleaner and easier to get around.

Lifestyle

Moving into the Lifestyle Zone, learn how to be sustainable at home and make the most of your comfortable surroundings. Experience what it would be like to live in a truly sustainable house. Take a walk through the lounge and bedroom and be inspired by sustainable couches, beds, lights and other furnishings. Learn the best way to paint sustainably, how to source your own solar energy, and choose insulation options that will keep you warm. Pick up many more tips to create a more sustainable and smarter home to live in.

Fashion & Beauty

Sustainable fashion finds its own spotlight at the heart of the sustainable city. Visitors can buy the latest fashions for summer made with minimal impact on the environment using the latest organic textiles. Make-up on sale uses exclusively natural products.

Workplace

The Business Solutions & Workplace Zone is an innovative area for service-related business covering systems design, office products, and everything from ICT solutions to green walls – everything that is at the centre of the sustainable workplace and smarter business.
There is also a relaxed meeting space provided with seating and desks and a business seminar area that will host a range of workshops on topics ranging from ethical investment to effective marketing of your sustainability credentials. There will be opportunities for individuals and businesses to host their own workshop.

Food

The food section opens up into a Farmers’ Market/ Café environment where visitors can discover organic and sustainable cuisine. The Sustainable City team have handpicked a great selection of artisan food and drink producers for visitors to enjoy. Sit down in a relaxed café setting and have a break in between taking in the rest of the pop-up city. This is also a great opportunity to stock up for summer and Christmas with the very best socially and environmentally-friendly boutique products.

There will be a number of other social enterprises and organisations on-site that are working towards social good or are involved in creating and implementing systems that positively impact the environment.

Sponsors of the event include Green Ideas, George FM, Waterfront Auckland and Element magazine.

Key facts:

Sustainable City Showcase 2012, November 22-24

Website: http://sustainablecity.org.nz

Where: The Cloud, Queen’s Wharf, Auckland

Admission: Free public event

Organised by: Sustainable Business Network in partnership with Waterfront Auckland

Thursday 22 November: 12pm – 4pm
• Opening of the Showcase – Business engagement day
• The Sustainable Business Sessions – 30 minute business to business workshops
• NZI National SBN Awards Evening 6pm – 9:30pm
Friday 23 November: 10:30am – 5:30pm
• Open to business and the public
• Interactive workshops, inspiring talks from thought leaders and featured showcasing of emerging technologies
Saturday 24 November: 10am – 4.30pm
• Open to the public
• Interactive workshops and inspiring talks in the seminar zone.

For media queries, contact: Suzanne McNamara, Convergence, mobile 021 933331, e [email protected]. Images are available on request.

For event details and sponsorship, contact:

SBN event manager Alex Williams, mobile 021 655 853, e [email protected] or see www.sustainablecity.org.nz

Tags: Sustainability