Contact Information: Media Contacts: Morrison Shafroth First Affirmative and SRI in the Rockies 720-470-3653 Patrick Mitchell Social Investment Forum 703-276-3266 .
SRI in the Rockies Conference to Celebrate 20 Years
Premier Responsible Investing Conference to Focus on Opportunities in the Emerging Sustainable Economy
| Source: First Affirmative
COLORADO SPRINGS, CO--(Marketwire - June 1, 2009) - SRI in the Rockies, the largest and
longest-running sustainable and responsible investing conference in the
world, will mark its 20th year and highlight growing opportunities for
investors who embrace innovative investment strategies targeted on
environmental, social, and governance factors. More than 650 attendees from
the U.S. and around the world are expected to gather October 25-28, 2009 at
the JW Marriott Starr Pass
Resort & Spa in Tucson, Arizona.
The 20th Anniversary SRI in the
Rockies Conference. "From Crisis to Opportunity: Investing for a
Sustainable Economy," will be presented by First Affirmative Financial
Network in collaboration with the Social Investment Forum.
"Sustainable and responsible investing is moving rapidly to the forefront
of investment strategy," said Steve Schueth, President of First
Affirmative. "This year's conference has a particular responsibility to
highlight how we all can play a crucial role in finding real market
solutions to the world's environmental and social problems and make money
in the process."
The 2009 conference list of speakers include: James K. Galbraith, PhD, the
Lloyd M. Bentsen chair in Government and Business Relations and professor
of Economics at the LBJ School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas
at Austin; Mindy S. Lubber, president of Ceres, the leading U.S. coalition
of investors and environmental leaders working to improve corporate
environmental, social, and governance practices; Auden Schendler, executive
director of Sustainability at Aspen Skiing Company; and Andy Serwer,
managing editor of FORTUNE magazine. Click here to access speaker
photos and bios.
Lisa Woll, CEO of the Social Investment Forum, said: "The 20th anniversary
of SRI in the Rockies occurs in a year in which there already have been
significant steps forward in the national commitment to advancing policies
that support good governance, transparency, and concerted attention on
environmental and social issues within businesses and financial
institutions. With national attention on addressing the financial crisis
and regulatory frameworks, dealing with climate change and creating a
clean, green economy, and looking at broad social and governance issues
including executive compensation and mortgage and credit card reform, we
believe that more individual and institutional investors will become
socially responsible investors."
As the premier industry event, SRI in the Rockies attracts a wide range of
investment professionals -- from financial advisors to institutional
investors and mutual fund companies, as well as social research and proxy
voting organizations. Members of religious organizations and social change
non-profits, and officers from community development banks, credit unions,
and related organizations also will be in attendance.
"Given the growing global awareness of investing for a more sustainable
future, this year's conference is all about identifying opportunities that
are presenting themselves at this important juncture in the history of
investing," said Schueth.
The 2009 conference will benefit from the support of leaders in the SRI
industry including Calvert, a mutual fund company that for 30 years has
been offering the nation's largest array of sustainable and responsible
mutual funds. Calvert is unique among sponsoring organizations in that it
has been a supporter of all 20 SRI in the Rockies conferences. For a full
list of sponsoring organizations, click here.
About First Affirmative
First Affirmative Financial Network, LLC (http://www.firstaffirmative.com)
is an independent fee-only Registered Investment Advisor (SEC File
#801-5687). First Affirmative specializes in socially responsible,
sustainable, and transformative investment management and consulting, and
supports a nationwide network of investment professionals who specialize in
serving socially conscious investors. First Affirmative produces the annual
SRI in the Rockies Conference (http://www.SRIintheRockies.com),
the premier conference for the sustainable and responsible investment
industry in North America.
About the Social Investment Forum
The Social Investment Forum (http://www.socialinvest.org) is the U.S.
membership association dedicated to advancing the concept, practice, and
growth of socially
and environmentally responsible investing. SIF members integrate
economic, environmental, social, and governance factors into their
investment decisions. SIF membership includes more than 400 social
investment practitioners and institutions, including financial
professionals, analysts, portfolio managers, banks, mutual funds,
researchers, foundations, community development organizations, and public
educators. More information about the Forum, including the "2007 Report on
Socially Responsible Investing Trends in the United States," is available
on the SIF Web site.
Registration and Sponsorships
To register to attend the conference, go to
http://www.sriintherockies.com/register.jsp. For assistance with
registration and sponsorships, please contact Krystala Kalil at
888-774-2663 / krystala@SRIintheRockies.com.