Boston, MA — This November two trade shows – Greenbuild and Build Boston – will act as a beacon in the heart of Boston for some 41,000 design and construction professionals looking for the latest innovations in sustainable design and green building technologies.

Build Boston, the Boston Society of Architects’ (BSA) convention and trade show, is the regional event for the design and construction industry, with some 350 exhibits and 240 workshops, tours and other professional development opportunities. Now in its 24th year, Build Boston is expected to draw 16,000 attendees, and will take place November 18-20, 2008 at the Seaport World Trade Center.

The U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC) annual Greenbuild International Conference and Expo will come to the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center November 19-21, 2008. Greenbuild’s expected 25,000 attendees are hoping to connect with their green building peers, industry experts and influential leaders as they share insights on the green building movement and its diverse specialties. Greenbuild will also host Archbishop Desmond Tutu as opening keynote speaker.

Greenbuild offers full or one-day conference registration options. Build Boston has multiple registration options including one-, two- and three-day packages, special symposium pricing, a la carte options and a free exhibit hall pass. Build Boston offers a multi-track, 240 workshop schedule from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm daily, Nov. 18-20.

“Green building policy is the cornerstone of what makes Boston one of the greenest cities in the U.S.,” remarked James Hunt, Boston's chief of environment and energy. “These two signature events will bring leading international design professionals right here to Boston to experience firsthand the transformation taking place in our city, as well as to share the latest innovations from around the globe. Combined, these events will have more than a $32 million economic impact, a different kind of green that’s also good for our local economy.”

Attending either conference affords a great two-for-one opportunity. The BSA and the USGBC are partnering to offer attendees of one show free registration for the other show's exhibit hall. A registration counter for Build Boston at Greenbuild and one for Greenbuild at Build Boston will also feature each other's show hours and event highlights.

“It was very clear to us at USGBC that Boston was a city of growing importance to those who live and build ‘green,’” said Kimberly Lewis, USGBC v.p./conferences and events. “The fact that attendees to one show will be able to visit the expo floor of the other free of charge is a great opportunity. We think that some of the tours Build Boston is offering - like the walking tour of the Big Dig, for instance, which the rest of the country has been hearing about for years – will provide real insights into the design and construction industry in Boston. Likewise, Build Boston attendees who want to delve even deeper into the world of sustainable materials and technologies will benefit immensely from attending Greenbuild.”

“Build Boston has been a ‘must-attend’ event for the design community in New England for more than 24 years because of its education tracks and trade show exhibits," noted Diane Georgopulos FAIA, an architect at MassHousing and 2008 president of the BSA. “The conference program includes many sessions on green design and a comprehensive track of workshops that focuses on the ‘other kind of green,’ such as strategies for running a profitable business and successful business development. Build Boston also boasts a symposium on green, in a literal sense: sustainable landscape architecture.”

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