2010 Living Green Expo

Summary and highlights of the 2008 Expo

As Minnesota’s largest annual environmental event, the Living Green Expo provides practical solutions for sustainable living. Featuring interactive experiences for attendees, the Expo offers something for every shade of green.

While the influence and outcome of an event such as this stretch far beyond the numbers listed, consider the following:

• Over 25,000 people attended: A record high
• 250 exhibitors (sold out), reporting increased sales and a more diverse audience
• 47 workshops, with over 2,000 people attending (25% increase from 2007)
• Over 300 volunteers contributing to make the event a success

Media coverage/promotion

• Total media impressions of 26 million, with an ad value of $4.67 million
• Internet presence through web ads and coverage on CityPages.com, Twin Cities Daily Planet, and popular blogs
• Live TV coverage on KARE-11, WCCO-4, KMSP-5
• Articles in Star Tribune, Pioneer Press, and local papers
• Bilingual posters and advertising (English/Spanish)
• Partnership with MetroTransit put extensive advertising on buses and trains
• Radio ads on MPR, Air America, FM 107, WLTE 102.9 FM, Jack FM (104.1 FM), Jazz 88 FM
• 130,000 brochures and 1,000 posters distributed to exhibitors, sponsors, and local community events and outlets

New in 2008

• MetroTransit's Go Greener campaign allowed 2,000 Expo visitors with a Go Greener pass to travel for free to and from the event (and reduce greenhouse gases at the same time)
• Extensive display of green vehicles and new transportation technologies
• Reusable bag booth gave away thousands of reusable shopping bags, and let visitors show their commitment to using them with an online photo gallery.
• More wind and solar demonstrations
• More green building options on display

Environmental outcomes

• The new reusable bag campaign generated over 2,500 commitments to use reusable shopping bags
• Recycled materials were used for all Expo banners and promotions
• 95% of the waste generated from the Expo was recycled or composted: 7,928 lbs.
• CO2 emissions from the event's electricity use and visitor travel were offset with purchases of wind-generated power and tree plantings. Additional tree plantings were bought to offset the event's paper use.
• Thanks to sponsor Great River Energy, over 1000 used compact fluorescent bulbs were collected for free recycling.
• 275 visitors committed to buy "green power" for their home use.
• 2,873 visitors took the MetroTransit Commuter Challenge
  

Other great stuff

Music, food, food demonstrations, eco-fashion show, Community Food and Farm Festival

2008 Sponsors

Presenting sponsors

• AVEDA
• Chipotle Mexican Grill
• Goodwill/Easter Seals Minnesota
• Great River Energy
• Metro Transit
• Xcel Energy - ConservationSmart

Media partners

• Minnesota Monthly
• Minnesota Public Radio

Major sponsors

• Alliance for Sustainability
• Green Guardian
• Minnesota Grown Program, Minnesota Department of Agriculture
• Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
• Morgan Creek Trees
• Office of Energy Security, Minnesota Department of Commerce
• Organic Valley Family of Farms
• Sunrise Community Banks (Franklin Bank, Park Midway Bank, & University Bank)
• Target
• Tree Trust
• Twin Cities Natural Food Co-ops
• Watkins, Incorporated
• Wells Fargo

Sponsors

• Blue Thumb - Planting for Clean Water
• Clorox Green Works
• Dem-Con Companies
• Do It Green!
• Minnesota Edible Twin Cities
• freEner-g
• Friends School of Minnesota
• Hub Bike Co-op
• Jazz88 KBEM
• Land Stewardship Project
• Minneapolis & Saint Paul Home Tour
• Minnesota Environmental Partnership
• Minnesota Food Association
• Minnesota Women's Press
• Nature's Gate
• The Purman Group LLC
• Resource Recovery Technologies