If you want to connect with other green business leaders but conferences aren’t your style, why not plan on attending on of the Green Innovation in Business Unconferences (GIBU) scheduled for 2010? In 2009, the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) and Ashoka joined forces to hold four unconferences across the nation. These four were a success, and now EDF is hoping to expand to at least 10 cities for the 2010 unconference schedule.

 

So, what exactly is an unconference? An unconference is simply a place where people can get together and brainstorm, share ideas, etc. on topics that attendees choose. Instead of conference organizers setting the stage, attendees are in control. To get a better idea of how an unconference flows, read about the Washington, D.C., 2009 Unconference, hosted by Google.

 

While the EDF is still finalizing the calendar for 2010, registration is open for the first unconference of the year. Although the unconferences were called GIBUs in 2009, the EDF has decided to call these events Solutions Labs for 2010. The Duke University Fuqua School of Business will host the first Solutions Lab 2010 event on Thursday, Jan. 28, 2010. Early bird registration is only $50 and is valid for registrations through Jan. 15, 2010.

 

In addition to the Research Triangle Solutions Lab, the EDF is working to finalize plans to host Solutions Labs in the following cities:

For more information on how you can be involved in one of these events, visit the EDF Innovation Exchange blog.