Atlanta Civic and Business Leaders Tout Responsibility,
Sustainability of Water Resources at July Ethics Seminar

State of Georgia's New Water Plan Presented at Seminar

WHO: GSU's Robinson College of Business' Center for Ethics and Corporate Responsibility

WHAT: A full-day of interactive sessions led by environmental experts, top executives from Atlanta's most environmentally-conscious companies, as well as Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin. Participants will explore corporate responsibility as it pertains to water...a natural resource in peril.

The program will be directed by Linda DiSantis, the Center's Executive in Residence and former Atlanta City Attorney, who states, "Business has come to recognize that water sustainability can no longer be assumed. Planning for and managing this precious resource must be an integral component of all business strategies. This 1-day conference will highlight the myriad of challenges that the water supply faces today and will also present creative solutions being developed by local and regional industry and business leaders."

WHEN: Thursday, July 17, 2008 | 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
            Registration deadline: Friday, July 11

WHERE: Georgia Aquarium | 225 Baker St. | Directions

• Opening Remarks and Welcome
  
• Opening Keynote—Water Resources in a Sustainable World
  Led by David Orr, senior advisor to the Oberlin College president, the Paul Sears Distinguished Professor of Environmental Studies and Policies at Oberlin College and a James Marsh Professor at Large at the University of Vermont
  
• Water Stewardship by the Private Sector: Challenges and Practices
  Led by Jason Morrison, Director, Globalization Program; Project Coordinator, U.N. Global Compact, CEO Water Mandate 
  
• Business/Industry Solutions and Best Practices—A Panel Discussion
  Led by Greg Koch, Managing Director, Global Water Stewardship, Environment and Water Resources, The Cola-Cola Company; Jeff Carrier, Sustainability Manager, The Carpet and Rug Institute; and Gary Black, President, Georgia Agribusiness Council
  
• Sustainability and the Marine Environment—What does business need to know?
  Led by Elliott Norse, President, Marine Conservation Biology Institute
  >Lunch included<
  
• The Georgia State Water Plan—What do business and industry need to know?
  Led by Gail Cowie, Georgia Environmental Protection Division
  
• What is the role of business in the challenge of water infrastructure and supply?
  Led by the Honorable Shirley Franklin, Mayor of Atlanta
  
• Water Challenges for Utilities & Customers, and Power Generation & the Sustainable Water Supply
  Led by Don Cope, President and CEO, Dalton Utilities, and a representative from the Electric Power Research Institute
  
• Business/Industry Solutions and Best Practices Panel
  Led by Ciannat Howett, Director of Sustainability, Emory University; Trey Gibbs, Project Leader, ERS-Global; and Randy Childers, Chief Engineer, Hyatt Regency Hotel
  
• Closing remarks and adjournment

MEDIA ACCESS: Open with pre-approved credentials. RSVP needed by July 11.

Take-away materials provided. Continental breakfast and lunch will be served.

More information>>

The largest business school in the South and part of a major research institution, the J. Mack Robinson College of Business at Georgia State University is located in Atlanta, an epicenter of business and a gateway to the world. With programs on four continents and students from 150 countries, the College is both worldwide and world class. Its part-time MBA program is ranked number five in the nation and has been in the top 10 for 13 consecutive years. The College has 200 faculty, 7,400 students and 65,000 alumni. Noted for an emphasis on educating leaders, the Robinson College and Georgia State have produced more of Georgia's top executives with graduate degrees than any other school in the nation.