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From Home Furnishing Business

EPA’s Jones To Keynote Inaugural SFC Next

May 13, 2014  by in Green, Industry, Special Events   

SFC Next is a first-of-kind education and networking event from the Sustainable Furnishings Council.

Jones, the assistant administrator for the EPA’s Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention, will discuss what his agency is doing now to protect people and the planet, including their management of programs under the Toxic Substances Control Act, and what’s next in regulations of formaldehyde in wood products.

In a conference curated to help companies succeed in the new low-carbon economy, SFC Next brings a range of insightful speakers from both inside and outside the home furnishings industry. SFC Next topics will explore the future of urban life and how key trends will shape the home in the coming months and years; a circular economy and the estimated $700 billion savings it could bring the global consumer goods industry; how to create a healthy, non-toxic and resource efficient home. The upshot of the gathering will be a clear path for any home furnishings operation, whether retail, manufacturing or design, to generate profits while saving the planet.

“The time for sustainability is now,” said Susan Inglis, executive director of the Sustainable Furnishings Council. “Any business that wants to be successful in the post-Great Recession economy must adopt sustainable practices in order to connect meaningfully with consumers and be profitable. The SFC Next agenda spells out how. Retailers, manufacturers and designers will leave the conference with implementable strategies for adapting and thriving in a low-carbon economy.” 

In addition to Jones’ keynote, new SFC Next programming will include a series of master classes, including ones led by World Wildlife Federation. Sayduck will bring its virtual showroom platform to the SFC Next Innovation Hub.

Rates begin at $395 for SFC members and $595 for non-members; discounts for multiple registrations from a single business or company are available. The registration fee includes admission to all sessions, receptions, workshops, continental breakfast and networking luncheons on Friday, June 13; and Saturday, June 14.

The W Hotel, 515 15th Street NW, Washington, D.C., is the official conference hotel for SFC Next. The discounted group rate is $259 per night for a standard single or double room,  plus all applicable state and local taxes (currently 14.5 percent). There are a limited number of rooms available.

Find more registration information, details about sponsorships opportunities, speaker bios and a full conference agenda here.