The 2018 Charlottesville Area Better Business Challenge will officially launch on Tuesday, May 8th at City Space from 11:30am-1pm. The Challenge is a friendly points-based competition aimed at helping businesses cut energy costs, demonstrate their commitment to the environment, and gain community-wide recognition.
Last round 78 businesses participated, saved 1.5 millions of kWh of electricity and realized a collective savings of $185,000 per year for the actions they implemented.
What: Better Business Challenge Kickoff: How to Spur Energy Savings and Sustainable Practices in Your Business!
Where: City Space, 100 5th Street NE, Downtown Mall, Charlottesville, Virginia 22902
When: Tuesday, May 8th 11:30-1pm
Who: Registration link here. Businesses interested in joining the Challenge enter free with Coupon Code CCB2018; US Green Building Council Members are free. Walk-ins welcome
**Parking: First two hours of parking is FREE. Catered lunch is provided.
At the heart of the contest is the “Energy Scorecard” that lists 45 actions to choose from: low-cost actions like creating an office energy team and using “smart” power strips to investment-level actions like installing rooftop solar or upgrading your lighting to LEDs.
At the starting line, participants fill out an online survey to determine their baseline performance. Then players have 12 months to rack up points as many points as possible; attend catered luncheons on trending topics; and in some cases get one-on-one “coaching” support to help the assess, measure and track success.
In 2019, the “green” carpet will be rolled out to award top performers in an Oscars Style Awards Night ceremony.
“Businesses understand the need to step up their cost-savings measures, engage customers, and build their brand to compete in today’s market,” said Teri Kent, Director of Programs and Communication for the Better Business Challenge. “The Challenge is a friendly competition that does just that — through energy efficiency, innovation, and leadership.”
Over 21 businesses are participating in the Better Business Challenge including 2RW, AHIP, Alloy, Aqua Hand Car Wash, Black Bear Composting, Carter Meyers Automotive, CFA Institute, Coronal Energy, Fermata, Firefly, Grimm & Parker, Harvest Moon Catering, Indoor Biotechnologies, Peabody School, ReThreads, Scivera, Skeo, Sunday Solar, Tandem Friends School, Teachstone, Virginia Organizing, VMDO Architects, and Woodard Properties.
“CFA Institute is proud to partner with the Charlottesville Climate Collaborative on the return of the Better Business Challenge. This exciting program challenges all businesses in our community to strive for greater heights of sustainability, learn from best practices, and showcase recent successes,” said Kelli Palmer, CFA Institute’s Director of Corporate Citizenship. “Businesses are a critical part of the fabric of Charlottesville, and the Challenge will highlight the sustainability opportunities that help to make our city a great place to live and work.”
The Better Business Challenge is an initiative led by the Charlottesville Climate Collaborative a local nonprofit organization in partnership with LEAP, Better World Betty, the City of Charlottesville, Albemarle County, the Chamber of Commerce, UVA Office of Sustainability, 2RW Consulting, and Virginia Organizing.
Sponsors include Sun Tribe Solar, UVA Community Credit Union, CREE Lighting, Batteries Plus Bulbs, Colonial Webb, and Harvest Moon Catering. Media Partners include 106.1 The Corner, WINA, and C-VILLE Weekly.
Website: http://cvillebizchallenge.org ($100 registration fee)
Email: info@cvillebizchallenge.org
Twitter: @CvilleBetterBiz
Facebook: “Charlottesville Better Business Challenge”
