Back to News Front

BE Green South Sound, Pecha Kucha and Shift Happens

Three events with one general theme on Jan. 31

Email Article Print Article Share on Facebook Share on Reddit Share on StumbleUpon

FULL DISCLOSURE: Volcano freelance writer Paul Schrag and freelance designer Mary K Johnson were involved with the planning and implementation of this event.

I'm lazy when it comes to supporting my local environment and community. Sure, I take the bus instead of driving my car whenever I can. Sure, I'll shell out a tad more dough for local produce. And yes, I preach all those idioms like "go green" and "support your local. ..." But at the end of the day how much thought do I really put into the health of my community and environment? Honestly, not much.

Thankfully, local businesses and community members are ramping up efforts to educate the public on matters of sustainability and community development.

Monday, Jan. 31, the Greater Tacoma Convention and Trade Center will be home to an event aiming to help businesses, individuals and communities discover ways to aid sustainably and promote healthy business practices. The day-long, three-part event is intended to help community members step past the standard "buy local," "go green" mindset. Because if a flourishing community and healthy environment is the end goal, there's a lot more to be done than just buying and going.

The event on Jan. 31 can be categorized into three main parts. First, it kicks off at noon with BE Green South Sound, a sustainability conference geared toward business owners. Six speakers will discuss a variety of topics, ranging from marketing strategies for green companies to ideas on how businesses can accurately measure their carbon footprint.

Following BE Green South Sound is Pecha Kucha Tacoma, Vol. 9. Originally designed as a fast-paced presentation format for architects and designers to meet, exchange ideas and network, Pecha Kucha allows individuals an opportunity to present 20 slides, with an allotted talking time of 20 seconds per slide. This quick format keeps Pecha Kucha exciting and entertaining. On Jan. 31, 12 Pecha-Kucha presenters will discuss a variety topics related to sustainability, giving spectators a unique glimpse into an important issue.    

The final stage of the event on Jan. 31 is called Shift Happens. Shift Happens will feature booths from 48 local businesses. Attendees will have the opportunity to eat and drink local products, as well as tour booths representing each business. Shift Happens will conclude with Tacoma mayor, Marilyn Strickland, giving the first State of the City address. 

Patricia Lecy-Davis is the president of Go Local Tacoma, the group behind Shift Happens, and connects local independent businesses to consumers and resources in an effort to build a more prosperous community. She sees Shift Happens as the icing on the cake for all of the day's events. 

"Shift Happens is really the after party, or the culmination, of a big conversation about sustainability," says Lecy-Davis.

Lecy-Davis explains that the title "Shift Happens" is meant to express the shift from the idea that big box stores support the local economy and community. She says Shift Happens is a vehicle for people to be introduced to local businesses, because these types of businesses overwhelmingly support the communities in which we live. "Two to three times the amount of a dollar stays in the community from a local, independent than from any other type of business model," she says.

Lecy-Davis wants to make it clear that all of the day's events - Shift Happens in particular - extend beyond "buying local" and "going green". She says sustainability is about more than reducing carbon emissions. She also says that while buying local is important, a shift towards thinking locally is the main objective.

"More small businesses support your local sports teams. More small businesses employ someone you know," Lecy-Davis explains. "It's so much more about building community than it is about the actual dollar."

BE Green South Sound, Pecha Kucha Tacoma Vol. 9, Shift Happens


Monday, Jan. 31, Noon to 8 p.m., $10
Greater Tacoma Convention and Trade Center
1500 Broadway, Tacoma

253.830.6601

Read next close

Reviews

Pros and cons

comments powered by Disqus