Conferences

Project Example: Sustainable Steel – The International Conference on Steel in Green Building Construction

SWA staff worked with the giants in the steel industry to conceptualize and create the first Sustainable Steel International Conference on Steel in Green Building Construction, held in March, 1998 in Orlando, Florida. The conference explored the life cycle principles of environmentally responsible construction and the role that steel could play. More than a dozen sponsors, 350 participants, 28 technical sessions from the ‘call for presenters,’ four plenary sessions, LCA training and software reviews, an exhibition and poster sessions along with an awards banquet were organized and managed under SWA’s direction. Both the subject matter and the execution of the conference were deemed outstanding and follow on conferences have been held overseas in subsequent years.

Project Example: Home Energy Rating Systems Guidelines

SWA managed The Home Energy Rating Systems Council (HERSC) from 1994 until its sunset in 1999. The work of the Council has had a major impact on energy-efficient home construction through the HERSC Guidelines, required under the Federal Energy Policy Act of 19 92. SWA used its facilitation skills to gain consensus from a diverse group of stakeholders, some of whom had diametrically opposed agendas. Meeting monthly over a two-year period, the HERSC Technical Committee developed by consensus a set of uniform national criteria for home energy rating systems. The Guidelines were subsequently approved by the Board of Directors, which was comprised of representatives from Fannie Mae, NAHB, the Appraisal Institute, National Association of Realtors, state energy offices, electric and gas utility associations, and product manufacturers.

The HERS Guidelines developed by the Council were unique in their methodology in being the first that did not use an ar bitrary reference building, but compared the same home with and without energy improvements.

It should be noted that the HERS rating has been used by US EPA in its ENERGY STAR Homes Program, and has also become an integral part of the the USGBC LEED for Homes® methodology.