Spencer Attends First Annual
2009 NAA Green Conference
It seems "Green" is
THE Buzzword. Green appears in the news, on commercials, and is an integral
part of President Obama's long-term initiatives. The real estate industry has
embraced this enterprise in full force. Real estate professionals from around
the U.S. met at the Phoenix Convention Center, a LEED® Certified Building, for the first
annual NAA
Green Conference & Exposition to discuss the development of
greener communities. Excitement was buzzing around the conference as this 2
day
event got underway. A panel of expert speakers shared their knowledge beginning
with the opening session: "Does Green Make Sense for You?"
Building green means incorporating environmental
considerations and resource efficiency into every step of the building and land
development process to minimize environmental impact. This means the building's
impact on the environment is considered during all aspects of its design,
construction, and operation. This consideration often results in:
- Fast-track permits and reduced permitting fees
-
Energy efficient builder tax credits
-
Using fewer materials and generating less waste,
so costs can be minimized and offset
-
Increased consumer perception of value
-
Younger Generation "Y" renters who actively seek out
green apartment homes and are, in some cases, willing to pay additional rent
for those apartments
Spencer's president, Kathy Hansen says, "I believe it's
important to stay abreast of the latest topics in the real estate industry. We
are working with our corporate clients throughout the country to develop a
sustainability strategy that moves their company to a higher level of social
responsibility. We are also supporting building owners by providing them with comprehensive LEED® Certification services. The Green conference provided me with
some updated information on this important issue."
Included in the agenda were important topics such as
Understanding the National Green Builder Landscape, Incentives and Mandates for
Builders and Developers, Discovery of Federal Green Programs, EPA and HUD, and
Changing the Paradigm - Pioneering Green Apartment Communities just to name a
few.
For more information on Spencer's LEED® Gap Analysis,
please contact Kathy Hansen, LEED® AP.
