The Speakers
Alongside the two big political stars delivering keynote addresses – former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and statistician Nate Silver – the Greenbuild’s Master Series of lectures will feature architect Ed Mazria, who will announce the official launch of 2030palette.org. The website, which provides a wealth of sustainable building information as well as links to outside sources, approaches green architecture at every scale, from single building to entire region.

The Products
Greenbuild consistently delivers a host of eco-friendly product launches. Roughly 1,000 exhibitors in 37 product categories – from ceilings to electrical to signage – will pack the showroom floor, with special pavilions dedicated to concrete, wood, maximizing the smart grid, and “500 mile” construction, which features manufacturers located close to the host city. Look for environmentally friendly products like Velux‘s Sun Tunnels, an easily-installed light tube; and USG‘s Logix integrated ceiling system, a sleek, high-performance drop ceiling for contract spaces.

Green Industry News
When it comes to impacting architecture and construction, perhaps the biggest event of this year’s expo will be the release of LEED version 4, the first update since 2009 to the USGBC’s protocol for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. It will introduce more rigorous technical standards, and streamline the certification process. At Greenbuild, it will be explored throughout several days of educational programming, including at the show’s summits – seminars that focus on international construction, affordable housing, and materials and human health.