City of Winston-Salem reaches out to community through GO Expo

The Office of Sustainability participated in the first-ever GOExpo on September 25, 2010 at the Benton Convention Center in downtown Winston-Salem. Representatives from industry, education and community advocacy, from around the Piedmont, joined together to share resources and promote community education for sustainability.

The event was coordinated by the City of Winston-Salem’s sustainability committee, with the able guidance of recently appointed sustainability coordinator Wendell Hardin. The day-long expo, which was free and open to the public, featured several educational panels and many exhibitors from fields such as education, community service, local food systems, and design and construction. Modern Automotive was on hand to allow visitors to test drive hybrid vehicles and Frank L. Blum Construction exhibited on the sustainable features of Wake Forest’s new LEED-designed residence hall.

Wake Forest’s sustainability director, Dedee DeLongpré Johnston represented the university sustainability movement with help from members of the 2010-2011 intern class at a booth in the “GO to School” section of the exhibit hall.

“The convention center was full of a diverse crowd – all with enthusiasm and a bright outlook for the future, which inspired me more to make a difference at Wake Forest and beyond into the greater community,” Carrie Stokes, WFU Green Guide intern said of her experience at the Expo.

The City of Winston-Salem is seeking feedback from anyone who participated in or attended the 2010 GOExpo. Fill out their brief survey so that next year’s event will be even more successful.

By Caitlin Brooks, Communications and Outreach Intern