The Sustainable Business Council of Los Angeles (SBCLA), a non-profit organization which provides a professional networking and education forum for Southern California businesses and individuals working with sustainable products, services, and processes, will host “Electric Vehicle Roundtable and Drive-a-thon.” The panel features six key players in this fast-emerging and competitive industry who will help guide the audience through a topic that is especially integral to the fabric and future of Los Angeles. The event will take place on Thursday, September 30, 2010, from 7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. at Valcucine’s showroom in Beverly Hills. The distinctive presentation reinforces SBCLA’s commitment to showcasing environmentally-conscious businesses, and spotlighting cutting-edge sustainability trends and best practices across a broad range of industry sectors.
Moderated by Plug In America’s (http://www.pluginamerica.org) VP, Paul Scott, who is also President of the Electric Vehicle Association of Southern California, “Electric Vehicle Roundtable and Drive-a-thon” presents:
** Paul Wilbur, President and CEO, Aptera (http://www.aptera.com)
** K. Forest Beanum, VP of Public Affairs & Communications, CODA Automotive (http://www.codaautomotive.com)
** Richard Steinberg, Manager, Electric Vehicle Operations and Strategy, BMW of North America, LLC (http://www.bmwusa.com/ActiveE)
** Eric Shieh, Account Executive, Coulomb Technologies (http://www.coulombtech.com)
** Mike Sullivan, Owner and President, LAcarGUY (http://www.lacarguy.com/green)
This distinguished group of professionals–representing the cycle of invention to delivery and consumer use–will address the value proposition of these businesses and California’s leading role in the sector’s growth. “We will explain why this technology will improve our environment, strengthen our economy and increase our national security,” states Paul Scott, VP, Plug In America. “With the new era of electric vehicles mere months away, this is information vital to anyone who cares about these issues,” Scott added. Specific topics may include:
** Why is the timing for electric vehicles more ideal now than when “Who Killed the Electric Car” was released in 2006? What has changed? Or has it?
** What are the sustainable aspects of the vehicle industry vs. other forms of mobility, especially in Los Angeles?
** What are the economic implications of millions of Californians switching from 60% foreign oil to 100% domestic renewable electricity?
** What do national security experts say about the need to switch from oil to electricity as the energy source for our transportation fleet?
** What plug-in vehicles are available today and what will be available in the near future?
** How many charging stations are there, and how many are really needed?
** What companies are opening electric vehicle showrooms in L.A.?
** How important is the L.A. market as a model for electric vehicle adoption?
** What are the predictions for the future of electric vehicle adoption? What will be future trends?
“On behalf of the SBCLA board, I am thrilled to welcome such a strong representation of this vibrant, rapidly-expanding industry to the Valcucine showroom,” said Laura Berland-Shane, member of the SBCLA board of directors, and business development manager of Alternative Energy at SIEMENS Industry. “We anticipate a lively discourse that will inform and hopefully inspire creative thinking and planning in light of the current electric vehicle renaissance. We are particularly excited to note that many of the companies we will hear from are California-based.”
Event Registration
Advance registration is required to attend SBCLA’s “Electric Vehicle Roundtable and Drive-a-thon” panel discussion and drive-a-thon. To RSVP, please visit http://www.sustainablebc.org.
General admission price of $25 includes:
** Admission to “Electric Vehicle Roundtable and Drive-a-thon” mixer and panel discussion.
** Electric Vehicle driving demo, first come first served.
** Tour of Valcucine’s showroom featuring sustainable kitchen furnishings.
** Light refreshments
Event Sponsors:
The event is sponsored by Stonefield Josephson, Inc. LAcarGUY, Valcucine, “Dom,” Luna & Larry’s Organic Coconut Bliss, Summa Marketing Communications, New Belgium Brewing, Evenson Design Group and dubroWorks Public Relations/Marketing/ Project Management.
Media Attendance and Interview Requests
Attendance of “Electric Vehicle Roundtable and Drive-a-thon” is also open to accredited print, online, and broadcast journalists who register with SBCLA in advance. To register, media members should contact Program Director Molly Lavik by phone at (310) 488-4401, or by e-mail at molly.lavik@sustainablebc.org. In addition, Berland-Shane and all panelists and moderator are most likely available for media interviews before and after the event. To schedule an interview, please contact Lavik.
Driving Directions and Parking Information
“Electric Vehicle Roundtable and Drive-a-thon” will be held at Valcucine, located at 9030 Wilshire Boulevard in Beverly Hills, on the corner of Wilshire Boulevard and South Wetherly Drive. Attendees may park with payment in the lot situated at 140 South Doheny Drive until the lot is full, or on the street in available metered spaces.
About the Sustainable Business Council of Los Angeles
The Sustainable Business Council of Los Angeles (SBCLA) is a non-profit organization acting as a professional networking and education forum for California businesses and individuals working with sustainable products, services, and processes. The Council’s goal is to assist members with improving their profits, enhancing their communities, and protecting the environment through the education of business professionals about the opportunities represented by technologies and management philosophies that reduce negative and unsustainable ecological impacts. For more information, please visit http://www.sustainablebc.org.