Ei Connects

Hickory Grove Farm | The Commons

On June 17, Ei orchestrated introductions for long-time comrade in sustainability Georgia Tech to Kennesaw State University (KSU) Hickory Grove Farm (HGF) and KSU Dining Services. Georgia Tech Director of Waste & Recycling Cindy Jackson was joined by Sustainability Coordinator Sarah Neville and Senior Sustainability Manager Malte Weiland. KSU Sustainability Manager Jennifer Wilson joined the farm tour and meeting and KSU Dining Service Culinary Director Brian Jones hosted the introductory meeting at The Commons campus-dining hall.

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Mercedes-Benz Stadium

Ei Connects Success!

Back in January 2018, Ei Founder Holly Elmore introduced Mercedes-Benz Stadium GM Scott Jenkins and Kellogg Garden Products Director of Sustainability Kathryn Kellogg Johnson in post-U.S. Composting Council Conference meeting. It was delightful to witness KGP the soil of choice for the new MBS raised-bed gardens.

Georgia World Congress Center Authority

On May 9, 2019 Ei orchestrated sustainability tours of the Mercedes-Benz Stadium and Georgia World Congress Center Authority (GWCCA) for Pattie Baker, alias “Sustainable Pattie.” The tours were research for Pattie’s recently announced Sustainability-in-Action bicycle tours in partnership with Bicycle Tours of Atlanta.

As the group walked the GWCCA campus, Director of Sustainability Tim Trefzer shared the GWCCA’s long-term sustainability commitment. In February 2009 the GWCCA hosted the acclaimed Zero Waste Zones press conference. Thanks to Tim’s diligent efforts, the GWCCA is the world’s largest LEED-certified conference center. read more…

Atlanta, GA

On May 9, 2019 Ei orchestrated sustainability tours of the Mercedes-Benz Stadium (MBS) and Georgia World Congress Center Authority for Pattie Baker, alias “Sustainable Pattie.” The tours were research for Pattie’s recently announced Sustainability-in-Action bicycle tours in partnership with Bicycle Tours of Atlanta.

At the MBS, Operations Manager – Tours Dawn Brown hosted the impressive tour with General Manager Scott Jenkins joining the first half. After an education of the state-of-the-art design and construction that earned MBS LEED Platinum Certification, the tour focused on the waste-reduction practices in-place within back-of-the-house operations. The tour ended at the recently planted raised-bed gardens along the Northside Drive administration entrance.

The RiA Magazine article, Sustainability in ACTION garners a new life, at the speed of bike, gives an overview of the MBS tour. An Ei Connects FB album section includes a pictorial recap of the Sustainability in Action Bicycle Tours.

Southface, Atlanta, GA

A POCACITO delegation from Croatia and Munich, Germany visited Atlanta September 17 and 18 for two whirlwind days of meetings, tours, and vibrant dialogue.

Funded by the European Union, Ecologic Institute US (EIUS) orchestrates delegations of European industry leaders on visits to select U.S. cities. Delegates represent a diverse cross-section of government stewards, activists, entrepreneurs, and non-profit executives from the European Union. For a POCACITO visit, EIUS organizes a series of meetings, tours, workshops, lectures, and town hall meetings designed for interactive sharing of in-place circular-economy practices. read more…

Piedmont Park
Atlanta, GA

In mid-April, the Institute for Local Self-Reliance (ILSR), an Ei Strategic Ally, traveled to Atlanta to develop best management practices for community composting via an EPA Region 4 grant.

Ei orchestrated two meetings with Piedmont Park Conservancy (PPC). On Mon April 23, PPC Board Member Ken Haldin hosted Brenda Platt & Linda Bilsens with the ILSR for a park tour along with an education on park history including recent enhancements and future plans. The following day park staff educated on past and current composting practices at the community garden. Ei Advisor G. Boyd Leake of Community Environmental Management joined the meetings and shared his expertise.

The Ei FB album, Ei Connects, includes a pictorial recap of the introductory tours.

Atlanta, GA

Ei Strategic Ally Kiss The Ground Co-Founder Finian Makepeace arrived a day early for the 2018 U.S. Composting Council Conference hosted in Atlanta for an empowering series of Ei-hosted introductory meetings focused on regenerative-agriculture | landscaping practices.

The industrious day began at Georgia Tech with Hyacinth Ide, Landscaping Services Manager, where water retention was established as the day’s theme. Next on the agenda was a meeting with Sustainable Food Court Initiative (SFI) Chair Tim Trefzer, Georgia World Congress Center Authority (GWCCA) Director of Sustainability, and GWCCA Grounds-Maintenance Manager Steve Ware. Southern Farm & Garden Publisher Nancy Suttles traveled to the GWCCA for a meeting with Finian. read more…

The EcoManor, Atlanta, GA

On August 22 Laura Turner Seydel hosted a Sustainable Soils luncheon at the EcoManor, her LEED Certified home. An impressive cross section of industry professional ranging from associates representing the USDA Forest Service, The Conservation Fund, U.S. Composting Council, Turner Foundation, Captain Planet Foundation, Park Pride, Emory University, Ei, Growing a GreenerWorld, and Kellogg Garden Organics attended the empowering luncheon.

The luncheon was in honor of industry icon Kathy Kellogg Johnson’s Atlanta visit. When Ei introduced Kathy and Laura in the spring, a lovely friendship blossomed.

Atlanta, GA

In late July 2017, Ei hosted U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) Global Zero Waste Director Stephanie Barger on a whirlwind Atlanta zero waste-focused visit. For three days, Stephanie met with Atlanta’s sustainability leadership to educate on the USGBC Zero Waste Certification and their commitment to building a Zero Waste Economy. 

The ZWA Blog article, Building a Zero Waste Economy, one city, one step at a time, gives the history of the strong relationship dating back to the U.S. Zero Waste Business Council time frame along with details on the whirlwind visit.

Atlanta | Washington D.C. | London

On March 28, 2017 the Ellen MacArthur Foundation (EMF) issued the Urban Biocycles scoping paper to a global audience. During the preliminary research phase, Ei Founder Holly Elmore educated EMF Project Manager Doug Walker on the U.S. organics-recycling landscape and facilitated a series of introductions. Ei Strategic Ally Brenda Platt, Institute for Local Self-Reliance co-director, was an introduction and most helpful with regards to community garden composting and soil rebuilding initiatives featured in the paper. Brenda and Holly, along with their respective organizations, were listed as Expert Input and Case Study Contributors in the paper.

The ZWA Blog article, A Circular Economy Approach for Urban Nutrient Cycles, announces the EMF scoping paper.

Atlanta, GA

On March 8, 2017 Ei orchestrated a powerful meeting of Atlanta’s sustainability leadership hosted by Affairs to Remember Caterers. The overt meeting purpose was to introduce City of Atlanta Director of Sustainability John Rutherford Seydel to Affairs with an overview of their in-depth sustainability commitment.

In addition, Mercedes-Benz Stadium General Manager Scott Jenkins and Ray C. Anderson Foundation Executive Director John Lanier joined the lunch meeting. It was an inspiring lunch filled with empowering conversation and delicious cuisine.

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Atlanta, GA

At the invitation of Ei Founder Holly Elmore, Mercedes-Benz Stadium (MBS) General Manager Scott Jenkins gave an empowering Sustainability: an economic driver presentation at the February 15, 2017 LAI Atlanta Chapter luncheon meeting.

As Scott is a close Ei friend, a strong Ei entourage attended the LAI meeting to show their support: LAI member Wayne King (U.S. Composting Council
| ERTHProducts), Boyd Leake (City of Atlanta, Office of Sustainability), Jim Harrell (Renaissance Technology) and Tim Trefzer (Georgia World Congress
Center).

Atlanta Federal Center

Due to Ei’s strong, longstanding relationship with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 4, Public Relations Specialist Davina Marraccini called Ei to recommend a chef for the Wednesday, April 20, 2016 Atlanta Federal Center Earth Day Farmer’s Market.

Thanks to Georgia World Congress Center Director of Sustainability Tim Trefzer’s quick action, Levy Restaurants Chef Juliet educated students and attendees at the well attended event. Levy Restaurants provides the foodservice for the GWCCA, including the GWCC, The Georgia Dome & Centennial Olympic Park. The Ei FB page Ei Connects post includes a photo of Chef Juliet in her element with the students.

It is an honor for Ei to serve as the conduit between our prominent industry friends.

Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce

Ei General Council Greg Chafee, Energy & Corporate Securities Partner @ Thompson Hine, brought together an excellent program for the March 24, 2016 Technology Association of Georgia Smart Energy Advancing Sustainability in Sport Facilities.

Greg met Keynote Speaker Scott Jenkins, Mercedes-Benz Stadium GM, and Panelist Tim Trefzer, Georgia World Congress Center Sustainability Director, at Annual Ei Partner Meetings.

Affairs to Remember Caterers

In June 2015, Ei orchestrated an introductory lunch meeting for the Affairs to Remember Caterers (ATR) Team and in-coming City of Atlanta Director of Sustainability Stephanie Benfield.

Stephanie was thrilled to meet the ATR Team and hear ATR Managing Director Patrick Cuccaro’s affirmation of support for her City sustainability policies, programs, and endeavors. The ZWA Blog article, … and the journey began with a delicious divorce from the landfill! includes the important introduction within the ATR sustainability story.

Atlanta, GA

Ei worked closely with Citizen Film for over a year facilitating introductions within the metro Atlanta community to those synergistic with Green Streets, a San Francisco-based social enterprise focused on recycling in housing projects. In January 2015, The Arthur Blank Family Foundation Film Series funded the Green Streets, a Citizen Film documentary, screening in Atlanta.

The ZWA blog article Green Streets comes to Atlanta! announces the screening. Ei was a screening co-presenter in recognition of the introductions and local guidance for the Atlanta visit. The ZWA blog article Green Streets: grass roots social enterprise gives a recap of the empowering visit and screening while the Ei FB album, Green Streets Comes to Atlanta, gives a pictorial overview.

Washington D.C.

Each December 2011 through 2014, trade association and non-profit executives from the entire sustainable food & beverage-packaging value chain met in Washington D.C. for a day of vibrant dialogue and sharing.

For the final three years, Global Green’s D.C. office hosted the meeting. Ei orchestrated the meeting administration, moderated the meeting presentations and strategy session, and documented the powerful meeting dialogue in a ZWA Blog article. read more…

Atlanta, GA

As a conference partner and media sponsor, Ei played a leading role in bringing the national conference to Atlanta along with orchestrating the local-flavor portion of the excellent program. Ei Founder Holly Elmore served as the connecting point for Ei Staff, Partners, Advisors and Strategic Allies to moderate and | or present on numerous panels and serve as plenary keynotes during the two-day conference.

The NZWBC Conference page substantiates Ei’s prominent role at the conference. In addition, the Ei FB album 2014 USZWBC Conference in Atlanta, gives a pictorial recap of the event.

Atlanta, GA | Charlotte, NC

With strong connections to foodservice industry leaders, Ei joined the EPA Food Recovery Challenge as an Endorser, committing to recruit Program Participants as well as additional endorsers. In Spring 2014, Ei founder Holly Elmore introduced Kim Charick with the EPA to the Southeast’s food-waste pioneers in a series of meetings.

The EPA Food Recovery Challenge page gives a program overview along with a list of FRC Participants | Endorsers who joined via Ei’s introduction. For a pictorial recap of the intro-meetings marathon, visit the Ei FB album, EPA Food Recovery Challenge.

California | Georgia | New York | Portugal

Strategic Ally Cork ReHarvest requested introductions to prominent journalists for their 2013 Portugal cork harvest-media tour. Ei media pals Elizabeth Royte and Pattie Baker, joined the late June cork-harvest tour via the Ei introduction. In preparation for the journey, Pattie published, Cork=Good, But Easier Said Than Done, on her popular FoodShed Planet – eclectic food-for-though for a changing world. Post adventure, the More Uses Than I Realized (and Now My Imagination Is Going Wild) FoodShed Planet article is a fantastic tour overview complete with pictures and videos.

In October 2012, Martha Stewart’s Whole Living featured Elizabeth’s Spoil Alert on Atlanta’s pioneering spirit in wasted-food reduction and rescue. The ZWA Blog post, Atlanta Wasted Food Heroes in National Spotlight, is an article overview plus commentary.

Georgia Institute of Technology

At Ei’s request, Ga Tech hosted fellow Zero Waste Zones Participant Ga World Congress Center Authority for a campus tour of their award-winning recycling program. The ZWA Blog post, ZWZ Participants Work Together, is an overview of the tour and the Ei FB album, 02-27-12 GA Tech Hosts GWCC, is the pictorial recap. Subsequent to the introduction, GA Tech and GWCC developed a close working relationship and separately thanked Ei for the introduction.

Washington D.C.

In December 2011, Ei orchestrated a Washington D.C. NRA | USCC introductory meeting with executives from the respective organizations. The October 2012, ZWA Blog post, Collaboration is Key to Success,
announces the formal Memorandum of Understanding executed between the NRA and the USCC.