James Cameron Announced as Opening Plenary Speaker at Greenbuild

Informa Exhibitions U.S. and USGBC announce acclaimed filmmaker James Cameron as the opening plenary speaker at Greenbuild 2015, with moderator Mika Brzezinski, host, author and journalist.

Greenbuild, a conference and expo dedicated to green building, will hold its opening plenary on Wednesday, Nov. 18 from 8 to 10 a.m. at the Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C. The session will focus on what it will take to get meaningful action on climate change leading up to the United Nations COP21 Climate Negotiations in Paris this December.

“As one of the most highly anticipated events during Greenbuild, the opening plenary is the perfect forum for this relevant, timely discussion around climate change,” says Lindsay Roberts, Greenbuild show director, Informa Exhibitions. “Cameron’s critical acclaim and passion for sustainable living will set the tone for the week as global leaders gather for another year of Greenbuild.”

“Many of the world’s largest economies are gearing up for the United Nations climate negotiations this December, and Greenbuild is the perfect opportunity to engage the green building community around these conversations to reduce waste and carbon emissions while simultaneously improving health and well-being,” says Kate Hurst, vice president, community, conferences and events, USGBC. “James Cameron and Mika Brzezinski’s experience and viewpoints will make for a dynamic discussion around these important issues.”

Cameron is an acclaimed filmmaker and explorer. As director, writer and producer, he is responsible for some of the most memorable films of the past three decades: The Terminator, Aliens, The Abyss, Terminator 2: Judgment Day, True Lies, Titanic and Avatar.

Cameron has led multiple deep ocean expeditions to some of the deepest trenches in the world. His engineering team spent seven years building a unique manned submersible, the Deepsea Challenger, capable of diving to the ocean’s greatest depths. In 2012, Cameron made a record-breaking solo dive to the earth’s deepest point in the Challenger Deep (in the Mariana Trench), successfully setting a depth record of 35,787 feet, or nearly 7 miles (11 kilometers).

Cameron is also passionately involved in sustainability issues, working with several NGOs on climate change, energy policy, deforestation, indigenous rights, ocean conservation, sustainable agriculture and the impact of our food choices on the environment.

Mika Brzezinski is an American host, author and journalist. She is the co-host of MSNBC’s Morning Joe. Prior to rejoining MSNBC in January 2007, Brzezinski was an anchor of the CBS Evening News Weekend Edition and a CBS News correspondent who frequently contributed to CBS Sunday Morning and 60 Minutes. Mika Brzezinski is the daughter of Zbigniew Brzezinski, who was the National Security Director for President Jimmy Carter.

Greenbuild registration options include Expo Hall Passes and educational one-day, three-day or four-day passes. Additional offerings include summits, LEED workshops, tours and special events. Online attendee registration is available on the Greenbuild website. Visit greenbuildexpo.com for additional details. Follow @Greenbuild on Twitter and tweet hashtag #Greenbuild to join the conversation.

Greenbuild, owned and operated by Informa Exhibitions U.S., Construction & Real Estate and presented by USGBC, is the world’s largest conference and expo dedicated to green building. The three-day conference attracts more than 20,000 attendees and 600 exhibitors annually from across the green building sector, spanning commercial and residential professionals, architects, building owners and operators, students, advocates and educators. This year’s conference takes place at the Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C., Nov. 18–20.