Ei Speaking Engagements

The Ei Team speaks around the country at national conferences and regional meetings. In addition to keynote presentations, Ei Founder Holly Elmore moderates industry panels of Ei Partners who share the successes, challenges, and lessons learned within Ei’s important work.

SOIL & WATER: the foundation of life

February 9, 2023
ECO Democrats Manatee
Bradenton, FL

On February 9, Ei Founder & CEO presented at the February ECO Democrats Manatee monthly meeting to an enthusiastic audience, in person and online. It was inspiring to learn how so many in the audience maintain ecological landscapes at their homes, or at least edging towards one.

The RiA Magazine article, Soil & Water The Foundation of Life, recaps the presentation outline with more in-depth information. The PPT presentation is available for download below:

Soil: The Foundation of Life

November 30, 2022
Unitarian Universalist
Church
Sarasota, FL

On November 30, 2022, Ei Founder & CEO Holly Elmore and Ei Supporter Zach Zildjian of Zach Zildjian Design Services co-presented on Soil: The Foundation of Life to the Universal Unitarian Green Team. As the Green Team’s focus is soil health, the presentation served as an overview of how soil along with water support all life forms and earthly ecosystems.

The RiA Magazine article, Soil & Water The Foundation of Life, recaps the presentation outline with more in-depth information.

The PPT presentation is available for download: 10-30-22_UU_Soil:FoundationofLife

Cindy Jackson Retirement Celebration

October 25, 2019
Georgia Tech Alumni Hall
Atlanta, GA

On October 31, 2019 Zero-Waste Icon Cindy Jackson retired from the Georgia Institute of Technology (Ga Tech) as the Director of Waste & Recycling. Under Cindy’s 22-year leadership, Ga Tech never succumbed to single-stream systems and the award-wining recycling program operated as a profit center.

In industry circles, Cindy is known as “The AMAZING Cindy Jackson.” Ei Founder Holly Elmore coined the term at Cindy’s first Ei Partner Meeting. Accurate, the name became a common way to address Cindy with her industry colleagues.

At Cindy’s request, Holly formally presented at the celebration. Holly’s presentation showcased why Cindy is indeed “The AMAZING Cindy Jackson!

The RiA Magazine article, The Legacy of the AMAZING Cindy Jackson, published with an overview of Cindy’s literally amazing professional accomplishments and ends with the Oct 25 retirement celebration. The Ei FB album, Cindy Jackson Retires, gives a pictorial recap of GA Tech | Ei interactions as well as images from the retirement celebration.

Holly’s PPT presentation is available for download: 10-25-19 Cindy Jackson Retirement PPT

2018 WorldChefs Congress & Expo

July 13, 2018
Kuala Lumpur Convention Center
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

On day three of the 2018 WorldChefs Congress, the educational plenary program was dedicated to Feed the Planet. Presentations focused on the current global food-waste scenario along with empowering programs committed to evolving the seemingly broken food system. After the “big picture” presentations, the focus narrowed down to local, effective initiatives and case studies on food-waste reduction in culinary operations.

Ei Founder Holly Elmore presented on The Profitability of Waste: the business case for food-waste reduction to the global audience of prominent chefs. Ei Supporters Ted’s Montana Grill, Affairs to Remember, and the Georgia World Congress Center Authority | Levy Restaurants were featured in the case studies.

The RiA Blog article, Feed the Planet: an empowering WorldChefs initiative, gives an overview of the important session; The Profitability of Food Waste: the business case for food waste reduction article gives an overview of Holly’s presentation by the same name and showcases case studies of three Ei Supporters.

Within the Holly Elmore Images FB album, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia July 2018 Visit, there is a section on the 2018 WorldChefs Congress & Expo along with sections on Holly’s guided and self-guided KL tours.

The comprehensive Feed the Planet PPT presentation, as well as Holly’s solo presentation, are available below for download:
WorldChefs Feed the Planet Combined PPT – July 2018 (24105 KB)
WorldChefs Feed the Planet Profitability of Waste – July 2018 (2912 KB)

Ga Tech Facilities Sustainability Forum

October 24, 2017
Atlanta, GA

On October 24, 2017 Georgia Institute of Technology (Ga Tech) hosted the first annual Facilities Sustainability Forum to an enthusiastic audience from the university and beyond. Ei Founder Holly Elmore presented as the featured speaker. The ZWA Blog article, Collaboration + Culture = Sustainability Success, is a forum overview featuring Holly’s presentation as well as the Building Services, Solid Waste & Recycling, and Landscape Service department sessions.

The overall forum PPT presentation as well as Holly’s PPT presentation are available for download below:
Ga Tech Facilities Sustainability Forum – combined PPT presentation (12982 KB)
Ga Tech Facilities Sustainability Forum – Ei PPT presentation (2480 KB)

Recycling Refinement, moving beyond landfill diversion

July 26, 2017
The Epsten Group
Atlanta, GA

The Epsten Group hosted U.S. Green Building Council Global Zero-Waste Director Stephanie Barger for a two-hour education session beginning with general zero-waste information and finishing with a Zero-Waste Certification overview. Intertwined within Stephanie’s presentation, Ei Founder Holly Elmore educated on Recycling Refinement, moving beyond landfill diversion, using the Sustainable Food Court Initiative Pilots as prominent examples. It was empowering to showcase Atlanta’s pioneers and leadership status.

The ZWA Blog article, Building a Zero-Waste Economy, one step, one city at a time, is an overview of the powerful Atlanta USGBC meeting series. Below Holly’s PPT is available for download:
Ei Recycling Refinement PPT presentation (2480 KB)

Recycling: The Business Case Webinar

December 8, 2016
USZWBC | USGBC virtual webinar

Ei Founder Holly Elmore moderated and co-presented the powerful Recycling: The Business Case webinar with Container Recycling Institute President Susan Collins. The webinar explained the current scenario, how we got here, and effective paths to recycling PROFIT centers.

At the foundation of successful recycling is separated, clean material free of contamination. Holly ended the webinar with prominent recycling success stories. The ZWA Blog article, Recycling: The Business Case, recaps the powerful, informative webinar.

Below are the webinar PPT presentations available for download:
Recycling: The Business Case – CRI PPT (14742 KB)
Recycling: The Business Case – Ei PPT (14742 KB)

2016 NZWBC Ei-Hosted Panels

June 2 & 3, 2016
Austin, TX

Ei Founder Holly Elmore moderated two concurrent panels at the 2016 National Zero Waste Business Council Conference: Food Waste Composting: Challenges, Lessons Learned & Successes and The Macro Cost of Micro Contamination. Ei Strategic Allies & Industry Experts served on the panels and shared their expertise and experiences. The ZWA blog article, The Macro Cost of Micro Contamination, gives a synopsis of the powerful panel. For more in-depth information, visit the National Zero Waste Business Conferences Page.

Planet, People, Profits: A Conference on Business and the Environment

April 20, 2016
Center for Ethics Emory University Atlanta, GA

Ei Founder Holly Elmore spoke at the Emory University Planet, People, Profits: A Conference on Business and the Environment on the Innovative Practices in Corporate Environmental Sustainability discussion panel. Holly’s topic focused on the four cornerstones to sustainability success: 1> Culture, 2> WE Consciousness, 3> Evolution of the Supply Chain to the Value Chain and 4> Power of Consumer Demand to an attentive audience. The conference was supported by the Ray C. Anderson Foundation.

Georgia Tech Supply Chain Modeling

March 31, 2016
Scheller College of Business Georgia Institute of Technology
Atlanta, GA

Ei Founder Holly Elmore gave a 60-minute lecture to the GA Tech Supply Chain Modeling class on the Supply Chain’s Role in Zero Waste to attentive, enthusiastic students. The ZWA Blog article, The Zero-Waste Journey: Supply / Value Chain, WE Consciousness, & Power of Consumer Demand are Integral to Success, is an overview of Holly’s lecture along with in-depth copy on discussed concepts.

Holly’s PPT presentation is available for download below:
03-31-16 Supply Chain’s Role in Zero Waste (1298 KB)

2015 NZWBC – Los Angeles

May 5 – 7, 2015
Los Angeles, CA

Ei Founder Holly Elmore moderated two break-out panels at the 2015 National Zero Waste Business Council Conference: Source-Separation Maximizes Material Value and Zero Waste at Multi-Tenant Properties. Ei Pioneers & Industry Experts served on the panels and shared their challenges, lessons learned, & successes. The ZWA blog article, Zero Waste Makes Good Business Sense, features the conference-breakout sessions along with Ei’s strong conference participation. For more in-depth information, visit the National Zero Waste Business Conferences Page.

Plastic GYRE Symposium: Artists, Scientists and Activists Respond

March 26 & 27, 2015
Atlanta, GA

Nationally renowned scientists, filmmakers, artists, and activists converged on Atlanta for The Plastic GYRE Symposium: Artists, Scientists and Activists Respond. The Symposium was an effort to raise awareness and discourse on the global crisis of plastic pollution. Ei Chair Scott Seydel presented on the Beyond Greenwash: Extended Producer Responsibility panel with a powerful presentation emphasizing plastic’s value in the global economy. The ZWA Blog article, Plastic GYRE Symposium: Artists, Scientists and Activists Respond, gives an event synopsis.

Waste 2 Opportunity: Sustainability Trends for 2014

February 27, 2014
Atlanta, GA

Ei Founder and CEO Holly Elmore presented on the Sustainability Trends for 2014 panel along with Compostwheels, MedShare, Clean Energy Biofuels, Re:loom, Live Thrive, and the Lifecycle Building Center. The session focused on how Atlanta-based startups and non-profits use what we think of as “waste” to create new business opportunities. The event was part of Refresh South and powered by Sustainable Atlanta.

Gwinnett Sustainability Summit

May 10, 2013
Duluth, GA

Ei Founder Holly Elmore presented on the panel Getting to Zero: How Companies Profit from Eliminating Waste, along with associate Bill Gavin – Operations Manager Rooms to Go, and moderator Beth Bond – Curator of Southeast Green. The session focused on the challenges and opportunities inherent to a zero-waste goal along with the potential for profits and intangible benefits.

Holly’s PPT is available for download below:
05-10-13, Ei Gwinnett Sustainability Summit (707 KB)

SWANA Road to Zero Waste Conference

February 25, 2013
Atlanta, GA

Ei Atlanta contingent Laura Turner Seydel – Ei environmental advisor, Jules Toyara – City of Atlanta zero-waste manager and Holly Elmore – Ei founder, shared Atlanta’s zero-waste successes on the Zero Waste, Southern Style session at the SWANA Road to Zero Waste Conference. The ZWA Blog post, Zero Waste, Southern Style, recaps the powerful panel.

Holly’s PPT presentation is available for download below:
02-25-13 Ei – SWANA Conference (647 KB)

Biopolyers Conference

October 17, 2012
San Antonio, TX

Ei Partner Steve Davies of NatureWorks and Ei Founder Holly Elmore tag-team a panel presentation on Biopolymers Role in Zero-Waste Programs. After Holly’s Ei overview, Steve focused on the Sustainable Food Court Initiative Atlanta Airport Pilot including the Airport’s foodservice contract provision requiring the use of compostable products. Ei was a conference media sponsor.

The ZWA Blog article, Biopoymers End of Life – or is it?, for a conference overview and the Ei FB album, 10-12 Biopolymers Conference in San Antonio, for the pictorial recap. Holly and Steve’s PPT presentation is available for download below:
10-17-12 Ei | NW Biopolymers Role in Zero Waste Programs (1518 KB)

City of Newark Zero Waste Workshop & Meetings

October 3 & 4, 2012
Newark, NJ

An Ei Team visited Newark in early October for a two-day series of zero-waste meetings and a morning workshop hosted by the City of Newark, Office of Sustainability. Joining Ei Founder Holly Elmore, Ei Partners Amy Moreland of Heritage Interactive Services and Chris Bradlee of BASF shared their zero-waste expertise in the educational sessions. The ZWA Blog post, Ei Team Visits Newark for Zero Waste Education, is an overview of the two days spent with the City of Newark folks.

The following PPT presentations were used during the Newark zero waste workshop:

Newark Zero Waste Workshop – Holly’s intro and overview (589 KB)
Newark Zero Waste Workshop – Amy’s zero waste basics (683 KB)
Newark Zero Waste Workshop – Chris’ Collaboration is Key (2241 KB)
Newark Zero Waste Workshop – Amy’s zero waste in action (584 KB)

Chattanooga Office of Sustainability – Zero Waste Workshop

April 10, 2012
Chattanooga, GA

The City of Chattanooga Office of Sustainability hosted a workshop on recycling, waste reuse, and waste-stream analysis as ways to stimulate the economy. Ei Founder Holly Elmore spoke on zero-waste-zones initiatives, including the Zero Waste Zones, Sustainable Food Court Initiative and other pilots.

The ZWA Blog article, Chattanooga Building a Green Brick Road, is an overview of the workshop. Holly’s PPT presentation is available for download below:

Chattanooga 04-12 Zero Waste Workshop (929 KB)

Green Real Estate Summit 2012

March 9, 2012
Atlanta, GA

The Building Owners and Manager’s Association – Georgia Chapter 2012 GREEN Real Estate Summit focused on sustainable operations and maintenance of existing buildings. In addition to providing a forum to network and learn best green practices from other individuals in the commercial real estate industry, the Summit featured educational seminars equipping attendees with the knowledge and skills necessary to go green successfully.

Ei Founder Holly Elmore spoke under the topic, Realities and Resources: Rapid Fire – Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. Holly’s PPT presentation is available for download below:
03-09-12 Ei Sustainability in ACTION PPT (676 KB)

Green Growth & Resource Recovery: The New Orleans Opportunity, a CoRR Conference

March 2, 2012
New Orleans, LA

Industry experts traveled from across the nation and Canada to present on how their experience may be used in rebuilding NOLA’s recycling infrastructure. Ei Founder Holly Elmore presented a Sustainable Food Court Initiative update. The ZWA blog post Global Green Team Work in NOLA gives a conference overview. The Ei FB album, 03-02-12 NOLA Resource Recovery Conference, gives a pictorial recap. Holly’s PPT presentation is available for download below:
SFCI update at the CoRR Meeting (691 KB)

Foodservice Package Institute Member Meeting

September 21, 2011
Denver, CO

The FPI fall member meeting included an afternoon sustainable-packaging session. Ei Founder Holly Elmore joined Biodegradable Products Institute, Earth911.com, Coalition for Resource Recovery and the National Restaurant Association for the invigorating session. Holly presented on the ZWZ | POWER | SFCI programs and pilots; her PPT is available for download below:
09-21-11 FPI – Denver (724 KB)

SCHA ZWZ ATL Tour

August 16, 2011
Atlanta, GA

The South Carolina Hospitality Association brought a group of Board members, local business executives, and City of Columbia staff and councilman to tour Atlanta’s Zero Waste Zones’ Participant sites. In addition, a National Restaurant Association executive attended the meeting and tours. Ei Founder Holly Elmore gave a ZWZ introduction at the Georgia Restaurant Association’s offices.

The ZWA Blog, ATL Zero Waste Team Hosts SC Hospitality Tour, gives an overview of the tour and the Ei FB album, 08-11 SCHA ATL ZWZ Tour, is a pictorial recap. Holly’s PPT presentation is available for download below:
08-11 SCHA ZWZ ATL Tour PPT (781 KB)

ZWZ|NRA: Mobilizing the Foodservice Industry to Embrace Organics Collection

January 24, 2011
U.S. Composting Council Conference
Santa Clara, CA

Thanks to the U.S. Composting Council’s generosity, Ei hosted a POWER – Perishable Organics Waste to Energy Recycling – meeting as part of the pre-conference activities. Ei Founder Holly Elmore and National Restaurant Association ConServe Director Chris Moyer tag teamed the Mobilizing the Foodservice Industry to Embrace Organics Collection presentation within the meeting.

Below is a downloadable version of the PPT presentation. The POWER page includes the meeting agenda along with PPT presentations available for download.
NRA-ZWZ presentation (2941 KB)

NC Food Diversion Webinar

December 14, 2010
Online

The Government of North Carolina’s NC Project Green presented the NC Food-Diversion Webinar with an impressive panelist line-up. Ei Founder Holly Elmore presented on Zero Waste Zones: mobilizing an industry. Click here for the agenda and panelists.

U.S. Forest Service Sustainable Operations Summit

November 17, 2010
Atlanta, GA

The U.S. Forest Service hosted the Sustainable Operations Summit: Leading by Example to Conserve Natural Resources in Atlanta with a day of presentations covering the sustainability spectrum. Ei Founder Holly Elmore presented a plenary session, Zero Waste Zones, Mobilizing an Industry to Make a Difference. Later in the day, Holly presented on Compost, The Quiet Hero in a breakout session.

Holly’s PPT presentations are available for download below:
Zero Waste Zones: Mobilizing an Industry (11043 KB)
COMPOST: The Quiet Hero (144 KB)

2010 National Restaurant Association Show

May 24, 2010
McCormick Place
Chicago, IL

Topic: Compost: The Quiet Hero

The foodservice industry is one of the largest producers of “food residuals”, a valuable resource, which is typically hauled to landfills. Discover how your operation can save money by composting those food residuals and gain insight about the importance compost plays in soil rejuvenation, water conservation, and the production of nutritious food. Ei Founder Holly Elmore shared her insights on those opportunities and why the EPA has made the diversion of organic matter from landfills one of their top priorities.

Holly’s PPT presentation is available for download below:
COMPOST: The Quiet Hero (144 KB)

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