I’d originally thought I’d be working these notes into an article. But two weeks after the event, I have to face the reality that I have more pressing priorities. So let me share the raw, unedited notes from the Green America/Global Exchange Green Festival of
April 2013 as a quick snapshot of the green consumer universe:

 

Hot product categories: Fair-trade handicrafts from recycled/reused materials (necklaces from magazines and newspapers, flip-flops from tires—Mushana.com; purses from tires—Aria; rainbarrels that used to be olive barrels (Hudson River Rainbarrels)…

By far the most ethnically and racially diverse green event I’ve ever been to: lots of blacks and Latinos especially, both exhibiting/performing and attending

Less in the building trades than in previous large urban green fairs I’ve been to—I did see a solar tube skylight and a very few solar panel vendors, much more in home, fashion, food. Food aisle is mobbed, especially Sunday. Lots of free samples: hemp seeds, chocolate (Theo and Equal Exchange), nutrition bars (Clif Bar, Raw Revolution, crunchy snacks including not just kale chips but arugula and cabbage. Lots of attention to gluten-free, GMO-free, organic. Much on reusable/compostable alternatives to throwaways: Kleen Kanteen (reusable water bottles), Susty Party (compostable plates, straws, napkins, etc.). One vendor had rewashable glass straws. Great concept but I’d worry about breakage, especially with kids.

Gardening products included a few different vertical small-space garden kits, a manufacturer of polypropylene breathable flowerpots and compost bags, business cards with embedded herb seeds.

Several local green retailers, relatively few environmental organizations.

Very few books other than speaker books.

Facebooktwitterpinterestlinkedinmail

I’ve written a great roundup of the cool Green trends I discovered walking the floor of the Green America/Global Exchange Green Festival in Washington, DC this weekend. some amazing stuff in fashion, transportation, shelter, food, and more. They’re doing another one in San Francisco November 6-7.

This will be the lead article in November’s Clean and Green newsletter, which will be published next week. If you’re not a subscriber yet, visit https://www.guerrillamarketinggoesgreen.com/ to sign up, so that you’ll see this coverage (no charge–just put your e-mail in the space at the upper right). You’ll also get eight freebies: Seven Tips to Gain Marketing Traction as a Green Guerrilla–and a series of seven action tipsheets covering:

  • Green printing (eight specific steps)
  • Saving energy (six steps)
  • Reducing waste (ten ideas)
  • Conserving water (five ideas)
  • Green transportation (six steps)
  • Deep-Green measures (six steps)
  • Effective Green marketing (six ideas)

So what are you waiting for? Just visit <a href=”https://www.guerrillamarketinggoesgreen.com/”>https://www.guerrillamarketinggoesgreen.com/ and leave your e-mail in the form at the upper right.

Facebooktwitterpinterestlinkedinmail