Announcing an awards night honoring Chicagoland’s leaders in sustainable commuting

 Released: June 18, 2013

Contact: Ethan Spotts
312.427.3325 x287
312.919-1423 mobile
ethan@activetrans.org

Contact: Colleen McGinnis
312-554-0900 x36
cmcginnis@delta-institute.org

Announcing an awards night honoring Chicagoland’s leaders in sustainable commuting
Many Chicagoland companies take part in competitive sustainability challenges to bolster their bottom line and do their part socially

On Wednesday, July 10, 2013, sustainable commuting in Chicagoland will be celebrated in style at the 10th Floor, Wells Street showroom of DIRTT Environmental Solutions overlooking the Chicago River, as the winners of two high-profile sustainable commuting employer challenges are feted among corporate, media, and city leadership VIPs.

The Chicagoland Sustainable Commuting Awards Bash will be emceed by the host of WBEZ’s Worldview, Jerome McDonnell, a Bike Commuter Challenge Team Leader himself. He will be joined by Frank Petito, President of Orbitz’s business unit, a bike commuter and participant in both challenges, who will deliver the keynote address.

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel has been invited to speak, as well. Other VIPs include members of the business community whose leadership has furthered sustainable commuting in the Chicago area.

Last week, the Bike Commuter Challenge and the Chicago Green Office Challenge’s “Transportation Month” concluded with record-setting participation. Over 600 companies in Chicago and the suburbs competed, including many who did both, highlighting how easy and popular biking – and sustainable commuting as a whole – have become in Chicagoland.

This year’s competitions saw unprecedented employer engagement through a new partnership between the two challenges: each awarding a valuable bonus for participating in both. The Chicago Green Office Challenge has long awarded teams for their participation in the Bike Commuter Challenge. For the first time, in 2013, the latter offered a bonus for teams who competed in both, as well.

The free, invitation-only event will begin at 6 p.m. at 325 N. Wells Street, in the DIRTT Environmental Solutions 10th floor showroom. After cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, the invited speakers will address the gathering, which will be followed by an awards ceremony honoring the winners of the Bike Commuter Challenge, the Chicago Green Office Challenge Transportation Month, and those teams who participated in both competitive events.

Free valet bike parking will be provided.

The Bike Commuter Challenge is sponsored by WXRT, The City of Chicago, SRAM, Village Cycle Center, Clif Bar, Dark Matter Coffee, and Divvy BikeShare.

The Chicago Green Office Challenge proudly partners with the City of Chicago, GreenPSF, Delta Institute, and ICLEI; and is sponsored by: Office Depot, ComEd, GreenChoice Bank, Siemens, BMO Harris Bank, Abbott, Jones Lang LaSalle, DIRTT, MMPI, 330 North Wabash, 3Degrees

The Active Transportation Alliance is a non-profit, member-based advocacy organization that works to make bicycling, walking and public transit so safe, convenient and fun that we will achieve a significant shift from environmentally harmful, sedentary travel to clean, active travel. The organization builds a movement around active transportation, encourages physical activity, increases safety and builds a world-class transportation network. Formerly the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation, the Active Transportation Alliance is North America’s largest transportation advocacy organization, supported by more than 7,000 members, 1,000 volunteers and 35 full-time staff. For more information about the Active Transportation Alliance, visit www.activetrans.org or call 312.427.3325.

The Chicago Green Office Challenge is an annual program that encourages, friendly competition amongst commercial offices and buildings to make Chicago more livable, sustainable, and prosperous. Participants engage with their colleagues to play the Challenge, earn points, have fun, and receive public recognition for their efforts. For more information visit www.chicagogoc.com or contact us via email at support@chicagogoc.com or by phone at 312-554-0900 x36.

DIRTT approaches sustainability from a return on investment point of view. By building out interiors more quickly and cleanly with tailored prefab components you harness your real estate to support your strategy and bottom-line. The result is real estate that adapts to your technology, people and strategic needs. Day one and beyond DIRTT responds to your real estate and the environment. For more information visit www.dirtt.net

###