Advancing sustainable schools for all

March 2-4, 2020 | Portland, Oregon
Hilton Portland Downtown

The Green Schools Conference & Expo is the only national event to bring together all the players involved in making green schools a reality: people who lead, operate, build and teach in U.S. schools.

Three days of programming will offer inspiring keynote speakers, informative workshops and breakout sessions and the chance to network with colleagues from across the country.

For general questions please email us at help@greenschoolsconference.org

Latest news

10/15/2019

Danni Washington, TV Host and Ocean Explorer, Announced as Keynote Speaker for Green Schools Conference & Expo
10/15/2019

Explore what GSCE 2020 has to offer
06/19/2019

5 tips for putting together GSCE session proposals

Sustainability

Sustainability was the foundation of GSCE. The GSCE sustainability program addressed environmental impact through seven objectives:

Move toward a zero-waste event
Increase stakeholder education and engagement
Improve sustainable sourcing
Improve performance tracking
Reduce greenhouse gas emissions
Positively impact communities
Catalyze the advancement of green building initiatives and sustainable operations within the hospitality industry

Getting to Portland, OR: Green Travel Tips

Where possible, choose a non-stop flight over a flight with one or more stops. Taking off, landing, and taxiing are the most carbon-intensive portions of air travel. Fewer stops, less greenhouse gas!
Choose to fly coach. Due to the greater number of passengers that can sit in coach as compared to business class or first class, the carbon footprint of a coach seat is smaller.
If you fly, we encourage you to budget to offset the greenhouse gas emissions associated with your flight: https://thegoodtraveler.org/buy/
Walk or bike to and from the event whenever possible.
Going somewhere too far to walk or bike? Make sure to utilize Portland’s vast public transportation options. Plan your trip at https://trimet.org/#/planner
If you must drive, arrange a carpool with fellow attendees or use the ‘carpool’ feature in a rideshare app.

Inspiring speakers, dynamic sessions & how-to workshops

At GSCE 2020, attendees will discover strategies and solutions that strengthen our schools and communities. Education, environmental, and business leaders will share current challenges, set future goals and shared best practices to advance green schools for all.

GSCE provides an unmatched opportunity for green school advocates nationwide to collaborate and learn from one another — all with a vested interest in making a positive difference in our children’s futures.

For questions regarding the GSCE Program, please email program@greenschoolsconference.org.

Keynote Speaker

Danni Washington

Founder, Big Blue & You

GSCE 2020 Schedule at a Glance

Monday, March 2, 2020
7:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.	Registration
8:30 – 9:30 a.m.	Opening Plenary
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.	Education Sessions
12:30 – 2:00 p.m.	Green Schools Awards Luncheon
2:30 – 3:30 p.m.	Education Sessions
4:00 – 5:00 p.m.	Education Sessions
5:00 – 7:00 p.m.	Welcome Reception in the Expo Hall
Tuesday, March 3, 2020
7:15 – 8:45 a.m.	Women in Green Breakfast*
7:30 – 9:00 a.m.	Breakfast in the Expo Hall
7:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.	Expo Hall Opens
9:00 – 10:00 a.m.	Education Sessions
10:00 – 11:00 a.m.	Expo Hall
11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.	Education Sessions
12:30 – 1:45 p.m.	Closing Plenary Luncheon
1:45 – 3:00 p.m.	Expo Hall
3:00 – 4:00 p.m.	Education Sessions
Wednesday, March 4, 2020
8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.	Workshops*

*Additional registration required

Education Sessions

GSCE offers engaging educational sessions, case studies, hands-on workshops and lectures from today's green school experts. Use the dropdown filters below to explore the program.

Note: This schedule is subject to change without notice

Sponsors & Expo

Be a part of the expanding green schools movement as a sponsor or exhibitor at GSCE. Every year, hundreds of educators and decision-makers gather at GSCE for inspiring programming networking and an energetic exhibit hall. GSCE is the only conference uniting three groups vital to the success of green schools:

Academic: school leaders, teachers and parents
Operations: general school or district administrators, facilities operations management
Building design & construction: architects, engineers, product suppliers

GSCE sponsors enjoy prominent branding onsite throughout the Exhibit Hall, conference sessions, special events and online. As a GSCE sponsor, you can engage with sustainability leaders and demonstrate your support for healthy, high-performing schools all while empowering the green leaders of tomorrow.

For more information, contact Lisa Bowers at lbowers@usgbc.org or 202-742-3766.

View the 2020 Prospectus

View our 2019 Sponsors

Platinum Sponsors

Auburn Online/Green Schools National Network

Gold Sponsors

Silver Sponsors

Green sponsors

Captain Planet Foundation

Gausman & Moore

Exhibitors

The GSCE x IMPACT Expo Hall was a highlight of the 2019 conference, with a sold-out floor. Please fill out the exhibitor interest form below to be notified about the Green Schools Conference & Expo's exhibitor application process. Contact Lisa Bowers at lbowers@usgbc.org to discuss ways to enhance your exhibit.

2020 Exhibitors

Interested in exhibiting at GSCE 2020?

Fill out the Exhibitor Interest Form

Partners

GSCE thrives on the collaboration and partnership of supporting organizations nationwide. GSCE is produced by the Center for Green Schools at USGBC in partnership with Green Schools National Network.

View our 2019 partners

Registration

Attend GSCE for up to three days of invaluable education and networking opportunities. Conference Passes and Women in Green passes are available now. Workshop registration will open later this fall.

Early Bird Deadline: December 20, 2019

Conference Pass (March 2-3)
Member	Early Bird: $320 Standard: $395
Nonmember	Early Bird: $395 Standard: $470
PreK-12 School or District/Government/Nonprofit Employee	Early Bird: $295 Standard: $370
Student or Emerging Professional	Early Bird: $200 Standard: $225

Daily Conference Pass
Member	Early Bird: $170 Standard: $245
Nonmember	Early Bird: $210 Standard: $285
PreK-12 School or District/Government/Nonprofit Employee	Early Bird: $160 Standard: $235
Student or Emerging Professional	Early Bird: $110 Standard: $125

Special Events
Women in Green	Early Bird: $55 Standard: $65
Workshops	Early Bird: $75 Standard: $100

Justification Toolkit

Attending GSCE is an investment that will benefit not only you, but your school, district or company. The materials below offer a greater understanding of GSCE and how to communicate the value it provides. Please feel free to customize and use them to request approval to attend the conference.

GSCE Volunteer Program

Benefits: Volunteers will receive a complimentary GSCE conference registration in exchange for five hours of volunteer work.

Volunteer roles: Shift preferences will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis.

Registration & Check-in: volunteers will assist at the registration counter and check attendees in for the conference. This includes distributing name badges and answering general conference questions.
Room Monitors/Scanners: volunteers will assist in the education session rooms by scanning attendees as they enter and exit to track attendance. Volunteers may also assist with providing time cues to speakers and resetting the room between sessions.
Volunteers may also be asked to support in other areas as the need arises onsite.

Requirements:

Volunteers must be a minimum of 18 years of age. Priority is given to full time students or emerging professionals. Full time students are considered 12 credits undergraduate or 9 credits graduate. Emerging professionals are those who are new to the field of green building, green schools or the sustainability movement.
Volunteers must complete a minimum of five hours of conference support on either Monday, March 2 or Tuesday, March 3. The hours must be worked consecutively.
Volunteers are responsible for their own accommodations and travel expenses.

Apply to Volunteer

Travel

GSCE will be hosted at the Hilton Portland Downtown. Special discounted room rates are available until February 17, 2020 and are valid for stays from March 1- March 4, 2020. Book your room online, or contact the hotel directly by phone (1-800-HILTONS). Make sure to reference the promotional code “USB” when making a reservation by phone.

Room rates start at $164/night (plus taxes and fees).

Book Your Hotel Room