Experiences & Activities
Experiences at GreenBiz
Find more experiences on the Whova App! Looking for a group run, a chance to spot local critters, meditation sessions and other activities? While at GreenBiz 24, check out the Whova App for more experiences brought to you by GreenBiz and your fellow attendees.
Field Trip: Lessons From the Rio Salado: Investing in Watershed and Community Resilience, Sponsored by the Walton Family Foundation
Date/Time: Monday, February 12, 2024, 8:15AM-12PM
Location: Departing from the Ballroom entrance located adjacent to the Sunset Lawn, transportation will be provided.
Witness the power of nature-based solutions firsthand at the Nina Mason Pulliam Rio Salado Audubon Center, a LEED Platinum nature center in the heart of Phoenix's Rio Salado Habitat Restoration Area. Located less than two miles from downtown Phoenix, the Center is a gateway to a lush Sonoran riparian habitat used by more than 200 species of birds and other wildlife. Enjoy a short walk through the 600-acre park and discover how your company can support community-focused watershed resilience projects.
Photo credit: Luke Franke/Audubon
Sign up sheet : Here
Morning Yoga
Date/Time: Tuesday, February 13, 6:15-7:15 AM // Wednesday, February 14, 6:15-7:15 AM
Location: Grand Canyon 7
Wake up and get grounded by joining morning yoga practice on-site at GreenBiz 24.
Limited to 50 participants. First come, first served.
After Dark Party
Date/Time: Tuesday, February 13th, 2024, 8:30PM-12:00AM
Location: JW Marriott, Desert Ridge, Phoenix AZ - Meritage
Enjoy a fun-filled evening with drinks and more opportunities to connect with fellow attendees!
Field Trip: True Garden Vertical Aeroponic Food Farm with Stephen Ritz of Green Bronx Machine
Date/Time: Monday, February 12, 2024, 8:15AM - 11:30AM
Location: Departing from the Ballroom entrance located adjacent to the Sunset Lawn, transportation will be provided.
Join your host Stephen Ritz, founder of Green Bronx Machine, for a tour of True Garden, a solar-powered, water-conserving vertical aeroponic food farm that is the first of its kind. Located near the JW Marriott Desert Ridge in Mesa, AZ, this 4,500 sq. ft. greenhouse — smaller than an NBA basketball court — grows 220,000 lbs of vegetables per year, more food than 10 acres of land. See the 70,000 plants True Garden grows on 328 vertical tower gardens at any given moment and learn how you can get involved on a corporate, community, school or home level to grow healthy food. Come hungry, pick your own morning snack, and taste the difference.
Photo credit: Green Bronx Machine
Sign up sheet: Here
Who wants to garden?
Location: Alcove at the top of the escalators
Come meet Stephen and Lizette of Green Bronx Machine and learn all about their work and how you can tower garden at home, in the office, support schools, and get involved further! This demo will feature Tower Garden - an indoor / outdoor aeroponic garden unit that uses 95% less water and enables you to garden ANYWHERE, all year long! You can even order your own tower garden or sign up to sponsor a school, club, or non-profit on site. Stephen and Lizette will be on site daily, before and after the event, and during lunch hours to answer all questions, give gardening tips, and help you grow something greater!
Live Stand-Up with Climate Comedian, Stuart Goldsmith
Date/Time: Tuesday, February 13, 2024, 7PM-8PM
Location: JW Marriott, Meritage Restaurant
Stand-up comedian Stuart Goldsmith is terrified of the climate crisis, but no one he knows ever mentions it, so it must be fine. Hilarious, optimistic, and vaguely educational, join him for a slightly abridged version of his one-man show about hope, horror, hypocrisy and how to feel OK. As seen and heard on TBS’ Conan, The Comedian’s Comedian Podcast, You’re Dead to Me and Trusty Hogs.
Capacity: 120
Sign up sheet: Here
*Sign-up requested but not required. We look forward to seeing you there!
Climate Fresk: Gamifying the Basics of Climate Science
Date/Time: Monday, February 12, 2024, 9AM-12PM
Location: Wildflower C
What? You haven’t played the Climate Fresk? With more than 1 million participants in 130 countries, the Climate Fresk is ushering in a fresh wave of gamification to teach entire workforces about the fundamentals of climate science. Through a series of collaborative and creative exercises, groups build a shared understanding of the mechanisms behind climate change. Do the fresk and experience how companies are using it to embed agents of change across their organizations. Led by trained Climate Fresk facilitators Megan Yousef and Allison Whitaker.
Photo credit: climatefresk.org
Limited to 40 participants. First come, first served.
Hike the Apache Wash, Sponsored by One Tree Planted
Date/Time: Monday, February 12, 2024, 8:45AM-12PM
Location: Departing from the Ballroom entrance located adjacent to the Sunset Lawn, transportation will be provided.
Get some fresh air on a morning hike through the beautiful Arizona desert. During the hike, expert guides share anecdotes and observations about the Sonoran Desert and its signature piece of flora, the magical Saguaro cactus. Experience breathtaking beauty, desert landscapes and learn about regional geology. Sponsored by One Tree Planted.
Sign up sheet: Here
10th Annual Women in Sustainability Leadership Awards Cocktail Party and Dinner
Date/Time: February 14th 2024, 6:00PM – 8:30PM
Location: The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa in Scottsdale, Arizona
Join the WSLA Alumnae Group and the usual sell-out crowd for the annual cocktail party, dinner, lively discussion, and entertainment - as it honors the most powerful women at the forefront of sustainability during the 10th annual Women in Sustainability Leadership Awards program! The awards advance, honor and connect women who are making a difference in the world by initiating lasting change and shaping the future of sustainability. The WSLA Alumnae Group's 105+ winners are a powerful force in the profession, and its mentorship opportunities are paving the way in sustainability and for future leaders in the field.
Sunrise Bird Walk
Date/Time: Tuesday, February 13th, 7:15AM-8:15AM
Location: Starbucks at the JW Marriott Hotel Lobby
Join avid birder and biodiversity expert David Jeffrey Ringer, Founding Partner, Green Jay Strategies, on a pre-breakfast bird stroll on the grounds of the JW Marriott Desert Ridge. Seek out local Sonoran Desert birds and learn about their habits and migratory patterns — and pick up observational tips and skills you can use in any environment.
Limited to 40 participants. First come, first served.
Wellness Program
Check out GreenBiz 24's wellness program! Our offerings include:
- Yoga, Pranayama/Hatha breathing
- Breathwork workshop
- Guided Meditation - Eco Anxiety
- Short wildlife hike around the resort with a focus on birds and reptiles
- Nature photography in the resort's botanical garden (using phone cameras)
- Yoga, Pranayama breathing, sound bath
- Desert run
- Intention setting/ guided journaling
View more details of the Wellness Program on our program page.
Coaching
Speed Coaching with Shannon Houde: Skills for the Next Generation of Change Leaders
Sign-up: Sessions offered on a first come, first served basis here. Meeting place will be confirmed in the event invite.
Description: Market-leading ICF certified coach Shannon Houde hosts a one-to-one coaching corner focused on change-leaders’ skills for sustainable impact. Drawing on insights from her recent book, Good Work, and 20+ years of leadership coaching in the sustainability space, Shannon Houde will coach you on how to focus on your competencies to thrive in shaping scalable impact.
Personal Coaching for World-Changers with Laurie McGinley
Sign-up: Sessions offered on a first come, first served basis here. Meeting place will be confirmed in the event invite.
Description: Laurie McGinley is an executive coach focused on supporting climate entrepreneurs and visionaries to use all their gifts and work with greater ease, joy and speed. She uses a unique process to reveal blind spots and works with clients to overcome internal barriers and tap into their intuition, strengths and authentic voice. You’ll leave your complimentary 30-minute one-on-one coaching session feeling lighter and with a renewed sense of possibility. This opportunity is best for those who are open and ready to change in a meaningful way.
“Walk & Talk” Coaching Session with Mica Crouse: Aligning Action with Values
Sign-up: Sessions offered on a first come, first served basis basis here. Meeting place will be confirmed in the event invite.
Description: Take a restorative nature break to breathe in some fresh air, take in the beauty of the desert and join ICF-certified professional coach, Mica Crouse, for a 15-minute, “walk and talk” coaching session. Drawing from more than 15 years of experience working in the sustainability sector, Mica will help you reflect on your definition of “success,” so you can align action with values to live out your purpose and lead with intention.
Guided Networking
Say goodbye to the awkward moments of inserting yourself into a conversation! Networking shouldn't be nerve-wracking; it should be an enjoyable and meaningful experience. Join us for our curated guided networking sessions, where you can engage in intimate conversations, explore guided questions designed to foster deeper connections, and participate in unique icebreakers and activities! Our hosts are experts in their respective fields, and they have carefully curated exciting new ways to facilitate connections. Check out the guided networking sessions below and elevate your networking experience with us!
Guided Networking for First Time GreenBiz Attendees
Date/Time: Monday, February 12, 2024, 8AM-9AM
Location: Grand Saguaro North
Are you new to GreenBiz and interested in meeting new people and forging genuine connections across this dynamic community? Join this guided networking session to participate in facilitated activities that spark new connections and spur new ways of thinking and opportunities for partnership. This guided session aims to lower the barriers of spontaneous networking.
LGBTQIA Morning Networking
Date: Tuesday, February 13th, 2024, 8AM-9AM
Location: Ballroom Lawn
Do you want to meet new people and forge genuine connections across the LGBTQ+ sustainability community? Join this guided networking breakfast for queer-identifying folks to spark new connections and find ways to partner. Look for the two reserved tables marked with signage. The event is hosted by Adrian Silver from Out in Climate. It's a great opportunity to connect and build meaningful professional relationships. See you there!
Guided Networking for Women
Date/Time: Tuesday, February 13, 2024, 9AM - 10AM
Location: Grand Saguaro North
Do you want to meet new people and forge genuine connections across the GreenBiz community? Join this guided networking session for women to participate in facilitated activities that spark new connections and spur new ways of thinking and opportunities for partnership. This guided session aims to lower the barriers of spontaneous networking.
Guided Networking for BIPOC Professionals
Date/Time: Tuesday, February 13, 2024, 1:30PM - 2:30PM
Location: Grand Saguaro North
Do you want to meet new people and forge genuine connections across the GreenBiz community? Join this guided networking session for BIPOC professionals to participate in facilitated activities that spark new connections and spur new ways of thinking and opportunities for partnership. This guided session aims to lower the barriers of spontaneous networking.
Guided Networking for Communications
Date/Time: Tuesday, February 13, 2024, 2:45PM - 3:45PM
Location: Grand Saguaro North
Are you a communications professional interested in meeting new people and forging genuine connections across the GreenBiz community? Join this guided networking session for comms professionals to participate in facilitated activities that spark new connections and spur new ways of thinking and opportunities for partnership. This guided session aims to lower the barriers of spontaneous networking.
Getting Grounded in the Foundations of Corporate Sustainability
Date/Time: Tuesday, February 13, 2024, 4:15PM - 5:15PM
Location: Grand Saguaro North
Do you want to meet new people and forge genuine connections across the GreenBiz community? Join this guided networking session to participate in facilitated activities that spark new connections and spur new ways of thinking and opportunities for partnership. This guided session aims to lower the barriers of spontaneous networking.