Hopefully you’ve heard by now that  on August 23 and 24 Greenroofs.com is hosting the first:

PEOPLE: Creative thinkers, innovators, and trailblazers sharing project-focused organic “vegitecture”

PROJECTS: International icons of sustainability:  early successes + current & visionary profiles of excellence in design

DESIGN: Proven standards of diverse green technologies + dynamic and cutting edge designs for greening the planet with building integrated greenery:  bioclimatic, biodiversity, biomimicry & chic sustainability

We are so excited so be venturing into the virtual arena!  This is the first virtual conference and expo experience specifically designed for the greenroof and greenwall industry … and really, who better than Greenroofs.com – the greenroof industry resource portal?  With all the domestic and international travelling that we do, we always have a blast seeing our friends and colleagues and listening to amazing people sharing stories and experiences about important and equally astounding  projects.

So why not offer a similar experience that’s available to the whole world on a grand, yet affordable, scale?  You have to admit, the Internet is the great equalizer, and the 6Connex platform we selected is huge on the Social Collaboration Network (SCN) component, so you can participate live in many ways at the comfort of your computer/laptop/iPad.

Interact in real time by:

* Watching highlighted presentations and join in for live Q & A sessions;
* Visiting exhibitor booth reps in both the International Pavilion and the North American Pavilion using video/audio and/or text;
* Chatting with friends using the SCN – choose a private one on one chat or have up to four people on video, or join a public chat;
* Meeting new colleagues using the SCN – just introduce yourself and invite a new colleague to start a new chat!
* Swapping your Virtual Badge at any time to request additional information from a vendor!

We’ve lined up some awesome keynotes, at right, and favorite expert speakers doing individual presentations as well as several panel sessions – and look for all of Greenroofs.com’s Contributing Editors here, too!

Another cool aspect is that in addition to your admission on both August 23 and 24, you can continue coming back as often as you want for the next 30 days, when all the presentations, panel sessions, and Expo Pavilion booths will be available archived on demand!  You certainly can’t beat that for the very low prices below – make sure to get your discount:

Registration fee is $99 for the 2 live days plus 30 days of archived content, with the following discounts:

* $49 equals a 50% discount for Early Bird Registration (which ends on August 10, 2011)  and for participating non-profit organizations, professional association members, and government entities;

* $25 for students/faculty and government professionals;

* Free to accredited media.   See details here.

We open up Pre-Registration tonight at midnight, July 20, 2011. Pre-Register by August 10, 2011 and receive the 50% off Early Bird Registration rate AND qualify to win an Apple iPad2!  Actually, we’re giving away two iPad2’s.

See the official Rules & Regulations here, but basically, we’ll choose one random winner from the Early Bird Registrations and one from attendees who have been the most active using the SCN, including visiting our very important sponsor and exhibitor booths at the Expo Pavilions!  Swipe your Virtual Badge at each exhibitor booth you visit to increase your chances.

Speaking of sponsors, we’re very happy to have TREMCO  on board  as our top dog, the Rare Earth Sponsor!

We’re just starting to encourage sponsor and exhibitor participation, and many opportunities exist at very affordable pricing.  If you’re interested – and if you’re a manufacturer, supplier, or provider of professional services within our industry you should be – just contact Aramis for a Sponsor/Exhibitor Prospectus at: virtual@greenroofs.com.  Setting up your booth is pretty easy, and we’ll handle everything.

Are you an industry related non-profit, professional association, or government entity promoting greenroofs & walls?  You can exhibit for free in the Expo’s “Associates Pavilion!”  Associates’ booths are not manned live, but are available on demand to inform visitors of everything these very important organizations do.  Find out what they are doing by downloading their videos, PDF’s, website info and more.

AND, as a participating Associate, you can offer your membership/readers/constituents 50% off the $99 Registration Fee, too.  Contact me for an Associates Prospectus at: Linda@greenroofs.com.

Are you a member of the media?  One representative per company can register for free, see all the presentations, visit all the Expo Pavilion booths, and join in the SCN activities in the Media Lounge.  This is specifically for the media to hang out and for exhibitors, speakers and attendees to visit, too.  You can post info about your company, interview/chat with people, and blog away.  Just let me know if you’re interested.

Stay up to date with our social media sites where you can help us get the word out:

Follow us on our Twitter page and we encourage you to tweet to your followers using our event hashtag, #virtualsummit2011.

Visit our  LinkedIn Event page and share the event info with your connections and networks.

Like our Facebook page and help us promote it to your fans.

Subscribe to our YouTube GreenroofsTV Channel.

And, feel free to visit our Downloads page with Event Banner Ads for you to post and share, too.

I’ll be blogging a lot in the next few weeks telling you more about our fantastic speakers and the various features of the Virtual Summit, and how you can specifically make the most of your virtual experience here with what to expect,  tips, and best practices.  Visit the Greenroofs & Walls of the World™ Virtual Summit 2011 website  here.

The virtual platform will never replace the meet and greet or  the wonderful tours aspect  of physical conferences, but it’s a great, inexpensive, and fun way to connect and interact with far-flung associates from around the world!  And come on, people, video chatting is becoming the way of the world!

See you on August 23rd!

~ Linda V.