This year, leaders, experts and professionals will join together at the Greenbuild International Conference and Expo held at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles, California, and continue to generate buzz and discussion around forward-thinking building designs and sustainable solutions.

Over the course of three days, Greenbuild will offer passionate speakers, invaluable networking opportunities, industry showcases, LEED workshops and a chance to tour some of the city’s most innovative green buildings. This don’t-miss experience takes place October 5 – 7.

This year’s theme, “Iconic Green,” represents the movers and change-makers standing in line and leading the way toward a greener future. These are the people who make Greenbuild what is.

Greenbuild offers continuing education credits for all core education sessions. Most courses are approved for credit for multiple credentials. Greenbuild organizers have separated educational sessions into tracks so that attendees can mix and match sessions according to their interests and needs. Tracks include: California, Community, Energy Efficiency, Financing and Implementing Green, Health and Well Being, Iconic Market and People and Partnerships, Success Stories, Thriving Communities and USGBC Updates. 

There is also the Master Series, which highlights a few green building champions who serve to inspire and motivate. Speakers include: Elora Hardy, founder and creative director, IBUKU; Sebastian Copeland, polar explorer and environmental advocate; Scot Horst and Mahesh Ramanujam, U.S. Green Building Council; Antwi Akom, co-founder and CEO, Streetwyze; and Dr. Lucy Jones, The Lucy Jones Center for Science and Society.

There is a whole host of Residential offerings, which have been designed to reach those in the residential building and construction communities. Greenbuild has chosen to expand these offerings to continue to allow for a future where homebuyers and builders are recognized for their efforts toward energy efficiency. According to a Dodge Data and Analytics 2015 SmartMarket Report, there was a 10 percent increase from 2014 in attendance by those primarily in the residential sector. 

For the seventh year, Greenbuild offers Special Sets, which reinvent breakout sessions and feature unique stages, creative seating, lighting and interactive presentation styles in order to take being an audience member to the next level.

Greenbuild kicks off bright and early with educational sessions followed by the opening of the Expo Hall. The Expo Hall is the hub of all things energy and showcases over 600 companies that feature sustainable products and services. Pavilions stretch across the entire layout of the Los Angeles Convention Center. Pavilions include: 500 mile, Interior and Design, Health and Wellness, Lighting Solutions, Net Zero Energy Zone, Non-Profit, Residential, Technology, Water and Wood. Each special area is designated for each particular area of focus. New this year is the Health and Wellness pavilion, which spotlights companies that focus on the human health element of sustainable building.

The second day of Greenbuild 2016 snaps into action bright and early with the 5th Annual Women in Green Power Breakfast, which is sponsored by the Sustainable Forestry Initiative. This breakfast serves as a platform for leaders to harness their voices as well as to connect with other professional she-beasts and change agents who are driven to create an impact beyond business. 

Attendees can look forward to the USGBC Leadership Awards Luncheon, which commemorates outstanding individuals and organizations committed to advancing green building design, construction and operations.

Finally, Day two ends on a note of inspiration followed by the celebration. Greenbuild Plenary, sponsored by the International WELL Building Institute, will take place from 6:30 – 8 p.m. at the Microsoft Theater. Attendees will get a chance to hear Lieutenant Governor Gavin Newsom, USGBC’s CEO Rick Fedrizzi and others talk about the most pressing issues of our time including climate change, social equity and the need for environmental focus.

Attendees can also tune in to award-winning author, Sebastian Junger.

The last day of Greenbuild continues its educational sessions and green building tours, and ends with the question: “What’s Next?” During the Closing Plenary, Ramanujam will discuss how USGBC will help accelerate the adoption sustainable ideals across geographic borders. Ramanujam will be joined on stage by BIG Founder Bjarke Ingels, who will shed light on how to create a world that’s more responsive to contemporary life.

For updated information leading up to Greenbuild 2016, including information on travel, pricing, summits, workshops and more, visit www.greenbuildexpo.com.