As you know, I believe sustainability can and should be sexy. After all, sex sells right? I believe that if we can make our missions sexy then we can appeal to a wider audience.
Look at PETA for example, their latest press release is titled, “Nude PETA Beauties Shower on Sidewalk to Expose Meat's Devastating Impact on the Planet” Um…hello…who doesn’t want to learn about meat’s devastating impact on the planet now?
As a marketer, it drives me nuts when people assume that because my services are “green” that that somehow means they can’t be hot. I have on more than one occasion, heard some version of the following after an initial meeting, “Oh boy, can I say what a relief this has been? I totally expected you to come in wearing Birkenstocks, smelling like Patchouli trying to pitch us burlap and hay.”
I’m happy to be breaking down stereotypes of what sustainable decisions, services and products look like. I’m also proud to not be alone in that endeavor, far from it, for that reason I celebrate the following folks who are helping shape the look and feel of sustainable events with some seriously sexy offerings.
WomanCraft’s Second Annual Green Goddess Benefit
April 22nd
8am – 10am
Metropolitan Club, Chicago Room
Tickets - $36 in advance/$64 for 2 (bring a friend)/$44 at the door
This fantastic event will feature an exceptional panel discussion, a continental breakfast, silent auction, WomanCraft items, fabulous networking, wonderful views, and a fair trade gift!
WomanCraft, a social enterprise of Heartland Alliance, provides artisanal jobs and transitional positions to women overcoming barriers to employment so that they may earn income, improve their job skills, build a work history and improve their economic self-sufficiency.
Runway for Water presented by Alliance for the Great Lakes and Aveda
April 29th
8pm – 10pm
The Drake Hotel
Tickets - General Admission $20/VIP $50
A one-of-a-kind fashion presentation featuring exclusive looks from the Skinstinct spring line. Enjoy a cocktail reception (cash bar), live DJ performances, raffles and a chance to win Aveda products. After party at Club Crescendo.
The Woman Made Gallery Annual Gala Event
April 30th
6:30pm – 10pm
Salvage One
Tickets - $65
Celebrating women artists since 1992, this not-for-profit organization provides opportunities, awareness and advocacy for women artists. Since 1992 more than 6500 women artists have exhibited their work with the Woman Made Gallery!
The gala will feature live and silent auctions, an all cash raffle, delicious appetizers, musical entertainment and live art making. 
Chicago Green Festival Kickoff Gala
May 21st
5:30pm – 11pm
Marmon Grand
Tickets - $35 in advance/$40 at the door
Get on your dancing shoes because Funkadesi is going to rock this party! Hosted by my favorite magazine and yours, Mindful Metropolis, this fabulous evening will feature local restauranteurs and presentations by Kevin Danaher, Green Festival Founder & Global Exchange Co-Founder and announcement of the Mindful Readers Choice Awards. Held at a hot new venue this party is sure to get Green Festival off on the right foot.
Growing Home 8th Annual Benefit
June 3rd
5:30pm – 11pm
Growing Home
Tickets - $125/10-person table for $1100
An evening of fun and good food for a good cause. Guest will be treated to an early evening cocktail hour with an open wine bar and hors d’oeuvres followed by a seated three-course dinner which will feature local ingredients. A wide variety of silent auction items will be available throughout the evening, with all proceeds benefitting Growing Home. This year’s keynote address will be given by author and food activist Frances Moore Lappé.
Growing Home is a non-profit business, started in 1992 by Les Brown, director of policy for the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless, which provides job training for homeless and low-income individuals in Chicago through a social enterprise business based on organic agriculture.
Looking for more green events? Check our our events page or the Chicagoland Guide to Green Events 2010.
PETA objectifying women isn't okay