Ecobuild America® Announces Support by Green Building Initiative™ -- GBI Presenting Educational Workshops and Panel Discussions at Green an

Centerville, MA (PRWeb) March 22, 2007 -- The Green Building Initiative (GBI) has announced its support for Ecobuild America® --Sustainable, Green and High-Performance Solutions for the Built Environment, which will take place May 15-17, 2007, in Anaheim, CA. A non-profit education initiative, the GBI will lend its expertise on green building and sustainable design with three training workshops focusing on Green GlobesTM for New Construction, Green Globes for Continual Improvement of Existing Buildings, and the National Association of Home Builder's (NAHB) Model Green Home Building Guidelines. In addition, Ward Hubbell, executive director of the GBI, will lead a panel discussion on "Bridging the Gap Between Sustainable Design and Actual Building Performance."

George Borkovich, an Ecobuild America principal, notes "the GBI is a leading force in accelerating the adoption of green building practices throughout the design and construction industry. Their Green Globes rating system is rapidly gaining interest, thanks in part to its practicality and cost-effectiveness, and has helped to facilitate an increased focus on sustainable practices among mainstream design and building professionals. This is a goal we all share."

"Ecobuild America offers a perfect venue for exploration of the issues surrounding the design and maintenance of energy-efficient, healthier, and environmentally sustainable buildings," said Hubbell. "It's an ideal annual meeting place for our supporters and members, and provides an excellent opportunity to educate the industry about the tools we promote--including the NAHB Model Green Home Building Guidelines and the Green Globes system."

Green Globes is America's first web-based assessment protocol, rating system and guide for integrating environmentally-friendly design into commercial structures. Once complete, it facilitates recognition of the project through a rigorous third-party verification process. It's also the only green building rating system that integrates the Department of Energy's CBECS data, which is widely considered to be the most accurate and reliable source of energy benchmarking information and was the basis for Architecture 2030's recent recommendation for climate change legislation.

The three-hour training programs have been designed to provide insights and strategies from building science experts for utilizing the Green Globes modules to improve the environmental design and performance of new and existing buildings. Both commercial sessions are taught by Jiri Skopek, architect, planner, environmental consultant, and technical consultant to the GBI, and Harvey Bryan, Ph.D., professor of building sciences at Arizona State University, and a member of the GBI Board. The residential training program will be taught by Jim Knutson, technical consultant for the GBI, who will discuss costs associated with homes that utilize the NAHB Model Green Home Building Guidelines compared to homes that do not.

To register or for more information, please visit: www.ecobuildamerica.com or call 1-800-996-3863.

About the Green Building Initiative
The mission of the Green Building Initiative is to accelerate the adoption of building practices that result in energy-efficient, healthier and environmentally sustainable buildings by promoting credible and practical green building approaches. A not-for-profit education initiative, the GBI is supported by a cross section of organizations and individuals with an interest in residential and commercial construction. To learn more about the GBI or the Green Globes environmental assessment and rating system, visit www.thegbi.org.

About Ecobuild America®, LLC
Ecobuild America®, LLC (Centerville, MA) under the leadership of principals Richard C. Vendola, Jr., and George Borkovich manages and produces Ecobuild America®, Ecobuild® Fall, AEC-ST®, and AEC-ST® Fall. Together they have a depth of experience in technology and event planning, for the AEC industry, including creating and managing the former A/E/C SYSTEMS International conference and exhibition.

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