Green Schools Conference

The Green Schools Conference (GSC) is the only event to bring together all the players involved in making green schools a reality: people who lead, operate, build and teach in schools. Designed to educate, connect and inspire, attendees of the three-day in person conference will explore interdisciplinary content during general sessions, while also having dedicated time with peers to work through specific challenges, share best practices, and generate momentum to further green school actions across the country.


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Program

The Green Schools Conference (GSC) will convene the green schools community over three days for a deep dive into topics with like-minded peers, inspiring general sessions, and interdisciplinary education sessions.

Content is designed for each stakeholder group that makes green schools a reality: educators and school leaders, school district capital and facilities staff, non-school-based professionals interested in school design and construction, and green school advocates, government and community partners. Attendees will select ONE track based on their professional role. Each track is designed to meet the unique needs of the attendees with focused time to connect meaningfully with peers and fully develop ideas and strategies.

Green Schools Advocates, Government & Community Partners

This track is designed for non-profit, local, state and federal governmental organizations, and general community advocates supporting green schools.

Learn more

School District Capital & Facilities Staff

This track is designed for PreK-12 school and district-level staff who are the point people responsible for sustainability, environmental health, and capital planning.

A valid school email address and appropriate job title or position will be required for registration.

Learn more

School Design & Construction Professionals
(non-school based)

This track is designed for green building professionals in design, construction, engineering, manufacturing, technical or consultant roles, or those studying in these fields.

Learn more

Educator & School Leaders

This track is designed for formal educators, school and district leaders, and school district staff interested in strategic planning for whole school/district sustainability.

A valid school email address and appropriate job title or position will be required for registration.

Learn more

All new this year at GSC! On February 28, participate in a Peer Cohort Networking Reception, an evening dining and networking opportunity designed to connect you with fellow educators and school leaders, school district capital and facilities staff, government and community partners, and more over a delicious menu of New Orleans-inspired food and drink.

The final day will be full of interdisciplinary content on a variety of green school topics accepted during the Spring 2022 Call for Proposals. Sessions will highlight topics such as: improving indoor air quality, reducing waste, advancing decarbonization, cultivating environmental literacy, improving district-wide partnerships, implementing social and emotional health strategies, and amplifying student-led climate action initiatives.

Speakers

February 28 Panelists

March 1

Schedule at a Glance

February 27
8:30 - 10:30 am Pre-Conference Workshop: Measuring, Monitoring & Communicating for Zero Waste in Schools
12:00 - 1:00 pm Registration, networking & lunch
1:00 - 5:00 pm Afternoon education
6:00 - 7:30 pm Friends and Family Event (hosted offsite by show partner, GSNN)
February 28
8:00 - 9:00 am Registration, networking & breakfast
9:00 - 10:00 am General session
10:15 - 11:15 am Morning education
11:30 - 1:00 pm Lunch
1:15 - 5:00 pm Afternoon education
5:30 - 6:30 pm Peer Cohort Networking Reception
March 1
8:00 - 9:00 am Registration, networking & light breakfast
9:00 - 10:15 am Keynote / General session
10:15 - 10:30 am Wellness break
10:30 - 11:30 am Morning education (01)
11:45 - 1:00 pm Best of Green Schools Award luncheon
1:15 - 2:15 pm Afternoon education (02)
2:15 - 2:45 pm Wellness break
2:45 - 3:45 pm Afternoon education (03)
3:45 - 4:15 pm Wellness break
4:15 - 5:00 pm Hosted Expert Panels
5:00 - 6:30 pm Closing reception


View all the sessions

Sponsors

Demonstrate your support for healthy, high-performing schools, all while empowering the green leaders of tomorrow: the 2023 sponsorship program offers a variety of touchpoints designed to help attendees navigate specific challenges, share best practices, and generate momentum around sustainable schools.

This is the only conference uniting three groups vital to the success of green schools:

  • Academic (School Leaders, Teachers, Parents and Non-profit Partners)
  • Operations (General School or District Administrators, Facilities Operations Management)
  • Building design & construction (Architects, Engineers, Contractors, Product Suppliers)

Our sponsors enjoy unique opportunities to engage with our exclusive audience as they emerge stronger and more strategic post-pandemic. Download the prospectus and schedule a meeting to find out how you can enjoy prominent branding, engage with sustainability leaders, and elevate your organization’s thought leadership.

Silver Sponsors

Chem Insights
Shaw
NRMCA
Nelnet

Green Sponsors

Bassetti
PDplay
PDplay
Force of nature
Clean River
Stantec
IES
Delos
Nudura
Safe Traces
Trust for Public Land/WRI
Diversey
Attune
CEC
CEC
SGS

Partners

The Green Schools Conference thrives on the collaboration and partnership of supporting organizations nationwide. GSC is produced by the Center for Green Schools at USGBC in partnership with Green Schools National Network.

Promotional Partners

Cloud Institute
National Wildlife Federation
Need Project
Project Learning Tree
UndauntedK12
California Green Ribbon Schools Award Program
The Collaborative for High Performance Schools
Go Green Initiative
Earth Force Logo
Energy Coalition
USGBC MO
USGBC MO
Energy Coalition
USGBC MO
USGBC MO
Energy Coalition
USGBC MO
Chem Insights
Shaw
Naesco
Chem Insights
Shaw
True
Aft



Registration

The 2023 Green Schools Conference is an entirely new experience designed by and for the leaders who make green schools a reality. For the first time, enjoy a peer-to-peer learning experience over two days of industry sector specific programming February 27-28. Then, on March 1 round out your experience with a day of interdisciplinary education sessions, mainstage moments like the keynote presentation and Green Schools Awards Luncheon, and the closing reception.

Early bird rates have been extended through January 17, 2023. Review the pricing and peer-cohort roles below to ensure you select the right pass and conference track!

Select your GSC Peer Cohort Learning Experience

Review the descriptions below and choose ONE peer cohort track to attend based on your role.

Green Schools Advocates, Government & Community Partners

This track is designed for non-profit, local, state and federal governmental organizations, and general community advocates supporting green schools.

Learn more

School District Capital & Facilities Staff

This track is designed for PreK-12 school and district-level staff who are the point people responsible for sustainability, environmental health, and capital planning.

A valid school email address and appropriate job title or position will be required for registration.

Learn more

School Design & Construction Professionals
(non-school based)

This track is designed for green building professionals in design, construction, engineering, manufacturing, technical or consultant roles, or those studying in these fields.

Learn more

Educator & School Leaders

This track is designed for formal educators, school and district leaders, and school district staff interested in strategic planning for whole school/district sustainability.

A valid school email address and appropriate job title or position will be required for registration.

Learn more


GSC Pass - 3 Day Experience (Feb 27 – Mar 1)

Access to Peer Cohort learning experiences, networking opportunities, luncheons and evening dining activities scheduled Feb 27-28, and all activities taking place March 1, including interdisciplinary education sessions, keynote presentation, thought leader moments, Best of Green Schools Awards Luncheon and Closing Reception.

Early Bird Standard
Member $400 $450
Nonmember $450 $500
Pre K-12 School or District/Government/Nonprofit Employee $350 $400
Student or Emerging Professional $200 $225

GSC Pass - 2 Day Experience (Feb 27 –⁠ 28)

Access to Peer Cohort learning experiences, networking opportunities, luncheons and evening dining activities scheduled Feb 27-28 only.

Early Bird Standard
Member $350 $400
Nonmember $400 $450
Pre K-12 School or District/Government/Nonprofit Employee $300 $350
Student or Emerging Professional $150 $175

Measuring, Monitoring & Communicating for Zero Waste in Schools Pre-Conference Workshop

Register for an additional off-site experience for learning and networking the morning before the conference kicks off from 8:30 -10:30 am on Mon, Feb 27. This interactive workshop for K-12 and higher education green leadership will inspire teams to strengthen their training, reuse, recycling, composting and purchasing programs through TRUE certification for zero waste, with targeted data collection, analysis, and reporting.

2 GBCI CE's provided.

                    Early Bird                     Standard
Everyone $50 $50



GSC Pass - Interdisciplinary Experience (Mar 1)


Justification Toolkit

Attending the Green Schools Conference is an investment that will benefit not only you but your school, district, or company. The materials below offer a greater understanding of GSC and how to communicate the value it provides. Please feel free to customize and use them to request approval to attend the conference.

Interested in group rates? Contact help@greenschoolsconference.org to receive a 10% discount for your group of 5 or more.

Scholarships

Thanks to Green Sponsor Kamehameha Schools for their generosity and commitment to equitable access to the Green Schools Conference, the Center for Green Schools at USGBC and the Green Schools National Network (GSNN) are currently reviewing applications for the Green Schools Conference scholarship program.




Eligibility requirements

  • Be 18 years or older
  • Guarantee attendance in-person at the live event taking place February 27 – March 1 in New Orleans, LA
  • Not be GSNN, USGBC or GBCI staff or contractor, or hold a volunteer leadership position with GSNN, USGBC or GBCI
  • Demonstrate a valid and reasonable need for the scholarship as evidenced by the inability to attend the GSC without one due to financial, location, and/or professional constraints
  • Demonstrate how one's background merits receipt of a scholarship
  • Commitment to share a 150 word or :30 second video testimonial sharing impact of scholarship on current or future work.

Travel

The 2023 Green Schools Conference will be held at the Sheraton New Orleans located at 500 Canal Street. Discounted room rates are available at the conference host hotel, the Sheraton New Orleans. Room rates start at $229 (plus applicable taxes and fees). The discount is available for Green Schools Conference attendees until Monday, February 6, 2023. Don’t miss out - reserve your room today using the unique conference link below!

Reserve your room

Sustainability

Big Easy Green Guide

  • Bring a reusable water bottle and coffee mug
  • Choose a non-stop flight over a flight with one or more stops. Taking off, landing, and taxiing are the most carbon-intensive portions of air travel. Fewer stops, less greenhouse gas!
  • Choose to fly coach. Due to the greater number of passengers that can sit in coach as compared to business class or first class, the carbon footprint of a coach seat is smaller.
  • Budget to offset the greenhouse gas emissions associated with your flight: https://thegoodtraveler.org/buy/
  • Take public transportation (NORTA), walk or rent a bike through the City of New Orleans Bike Share program to travel to and from the event and around town whenever possible.