Summary and highlights of the 2007 Expo

As Minnesota’s largest annual environmental event, the Living Green Expo provides practical solutions for sustainable living. Featuring interactive experiences for attendees, the Expo offers something for every shade of green.

While the influence and outcome of an event such as this stretch far beyond the numbers listed, consider the following:

• Over 22,000 people attended (nearly 60% more than 2006)
• 240 exhibitors (sold out)
• Over 65 workshops, with over 1,600 people attending
• 26,000 visits to the livinggreen.org website during the week of the Expo
• Over 330 volunteers contributing to make the event a success

Demographics of attendees

• 27% from Minneapolis
• 21% from St. Paul
• 41% from non-MSP metro
• 8% from non-metro
• 4% Greater Minnesota

Media coverage/promotion

• April issue of Minnesota Monthly (circulation 85,000) featured Expo and Living Green 365
• Over 75,000 brochures and 1,000 posters distributed to exhibitors, sponsors, and local community events and outlets
• Radio ads on MPR, KFAI, Jazz 88 FM, ClearChannel Outdoors, FM 107, and Cities 97
• TV coverage on KARE-11, WCCO-4, FOX-9, and TPT-2
• Articles in Star Tribune, Pioneer Press, Sun Newspaper, and other local papers
• Print advertising through Minnesota Parent, Minnesota Monthly, Metro Transit, and many others.

Evaluation

• 48% had been to the Living Green Expo at least once before.
• 52% were there for the first time.
• Average usefulness score of the Living Green Expo: 4.2 (out of 5).
• Average green rating that people gave themselves: 3.6 (out of 5).
• Average "ready to change" rating: 4 (out of 5)
• Average "how motivated to carry out commitment:" 3.1 (out of 4)
  

Environmental outcomes

• 1,800 attendees filled out cards encouraging them to choose greener actions during the next year.
• 600 people filled out extensive surveys during the Expo.
• 95% of the waste generated from the Expo was recycled or composted.
• CO2 emissions from electricity used during the event were offset with trees planted and the purchase of wind-generated power.
  

New in 2007

• Cooking demonstration stage
• Renewable energy exhibit
• Alternative fuel conversion and demonstrations
• Kids’ disco
• Free bike parking and tune-up

Keynote

• “Live! An Inconvenient Truth Comes to Minnesota,” presented by speakers J. Drake Hamilton (Fresh Energy) and Daniel Huff (City of Minneapolis), both trained personally by Al Gore.

For the whole family

• Kids’ activities featuring workshops, crafts, games, storytelling, music, and more!
• A youth tent with food, music, lounge chairs, networking, exhibits, and more!

Other great stuff

Art exhibition, dance and performing arts, eco-fashion show, Community Food and Farm Festival

2007 Sponsors

Presenting sponsors

• AVEDA
• Minnesota Department of Commerce
• Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
• Xcel Energy — ConservationSmart

Media partners

• Minnesota Monthly
• Minnesota Public Radio

Major sponsors

• Eureka Recycling
• Great River Energy
• GreenGuardian.com
• KFAI 90.3 Mpls and 106.7 St. Paul
• Hennepin County Environmental Services
• Metro Transit
• Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
• Minnesota Grown (Minnesota Department of Agriculture)
• Minnesota State Lottery
• Organic Valley Family of Farms
• Target
• Twin Cities Natural Food Coops

Sponsors

• Alliance for Sustainability
• Blue Sky Guide
• City of Saint Paul
• Clean Water Action Alliance
• Land Stewardship Project
• Minnesota Environmental Partnership
• Minnesota Food Association
• Twin Cities Green Guide