Count-Down to The Ethical Sourcing Forum this week!
New York: March 31-April 1, Focusing on Maximizing Sustainability Impact and Business Value
(3BL Media / theCSRfeed) New York, NY - Tuesday, March 29h, 2011- Those in the ethical sourcing/ sustainability community, and lucky enough to be in the tri-state area, are poised to exchange ideas, good practice and their latest insights at the 11th annual Ethical Sourcing Forum on March 31st and April 1st, at New York City’s Sentry Center (mid-town). Intertek Sustainability Solutions (ISS), host of the event, has brought in a wide variety of speakers to address the issue of “Maximizing Sustainability Impact and Business Value.”
“Today we are at a cross-road” said Kathrin Bohr, Director of Advisory Services at Intertek Sustainability Solutions. “The last ten years have been a time of great innovation and experimentation in the sustainability sector, however incremental progress won’t serve us anymore. Now is the time for business to find that ‘sweet spot’ of maximizing both sustainability impact and business value.” The Ethical Sourcing Forum organizers note that the Forum is “not just another conference.” The Forum, always innovation-driven is distinguished by a unique solutions-focused, hybrid formatconsisting of motivational sessions, “Insight Plenaries,” mini-labs (focusing on specific best practices and tools), round-table discussions, panels, along with a number of networking opportunities. The Forum’s program this year includes a “Sustaining Innovation” keynote to be delivered by Mitch Ditkoff, of Idea Champions – aimed at helping sustainability practitioners in attendance “think big and deliver big” when it comes to realizing their sustainability goals. Other sessions will feature presentations by: The Network for Business Sustainability, Polo Ralph Lauren, International Trade Centre, Responsible Sourcing Network/As You Sow, RJM McCarthy, Canadian Appliance Manufacturers Association, SAI, New Era Cap, CREA (Center for Reflection, Education and Action), IBM, The Cahn Group, New Earth, MeadWestvaco Corporation (MWV), Think Green Initiative, Sedex, PepsiCo, Electronics Industry Citizenship Coalition – among others. The ESF this year will also feature a two important panel discussions – one focused on “Tackling the Compliance World’s Bribery Problem Head-On” with Nancy Boswell, President and CEO of Transparency International USA, the other addressing Collaboration 2.0- updating delegates onthe innovative Eco Index . This second panel will be moderated by Nate Herman, Vice President of International Trade, American Apparel & Footwear Association who will be joined by Betsy Blaisdell, Senior Manager of Environmental Stewardship, The Timberland Company and Karin Bogaers, Coordinator Social Compliance, Royal Ahold. Intertek’s own Kathrin Bohr will be joined by Christina O’Connell, President, Credit360 Americas and David Abrahamson of China Center for Labor & Environment for a special GRI Workshop geared towards “Reporting with IMPACT” and effective integration of the Global Reporting Initiative’s soon-to-be formalized in the GRI’s G3 Guidelines. Intertek is pleased to have brought on board the following media and sustainability partners: CSRWire, Canadian Business for Social Responsibility (CBSR), The Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility (ICCR), Ethical Performance, Transparency International USA, The Fashion Institute of Technology, The Global Environmental Management Initiative (GEMI) and 3BL Media. Registration will remain open through Wednesday, March 30th. Register online for the Ethical Sourcing Forum/ North America while there is still time!About Intertek Sustainability Solutions (ISS)
Intertek Sustainability Solutions (ISS) works with businesses to seamlessly integrate CSR and Sustainability with their brand and operations. We are proficient in delivering solutions dealing with immediate environmental and social concerns, but our ultimate value for clients has proved to be our ability to develop a portfolio of initiatives (such as stakeholder engagement programs and ethical supply chain management tools) that align social and environmental performance with business imperatives for maximum Return on Sustainability Investment (RSI).
For more information, please call ISS New York offices: +01.212.803.5300
About Intertek
Intertek (ITRK.L) is a leading provider of quality and safety solutions serving a wide range of industries around the world. From auditing and inspection, to testing, quality assurance and certification, Intertek people are dedicated to adding value to customers' products and processes, supporting their success in the global marketplace. Intertek has the expertise, resources and global reach to support its customers through its network of more than 1,000 laboratories and offices and over 23,000 people in 110 countries around the world.
For more information, visit www.intertek.com
For more information please contact: Bela Fonseca, Events+1.212.803.5304 Christopher Foss, Communications
+1.212.803-5314 INTER12696
