McHenry County businesses meet to talk green

Submitted by McHenry County Green Drinks

In McHenry County, the first Wednesday of each month is Green Wednesday. The public is invited to Duke's Alehouse & Kitchen, 110 N. Main St., Crystal Lake for Green Drinks from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 2, for a presentation on “Eco-Media and the Eco-Community: Options in Getting Your Message Out.”

A panel of Chicago area eco-media leaders will discuss the importance of good communication in promoting your company/brand and the importance of controlling your own message. They will explain how sustainable businesses are leveraging digital and experiential marketing to expand awareness of their brands and their green practices. Lastly, they will cover the more traditional media perspective on the importance of developing a true relationship with local media, whether advertising is part of that relationship or not.

Panelists for the evening:

Ÿ Shannan Hofman Bunting is a professional communicator, project manager and media relations expert with a focus on green practices and businesses. As the founder of Solstice Communications, Bunting is responsible for strategic planning, account supervision, media relations and creative direction for the agency's diverse clients—which range from small, local companies such as City Provisions, Greenhouse Loft, Logan Square Kitchen, SmallBar to global leaders such as Sears, Kmart and Target.

Ÿ Shannon Downey is a digital and social media strategist who for five years has run the successful marketing company, Pivotal Production. With a client list that ranges from such local non-profits as Growing Home Inc., to massive global brands Chiquita Banana Pivotal has been paving the way in innovative and sustainable marketing.

Ÿ Tim Winkler is one of the co-founders of Mindful Metropolis magazine and is a senior consultative sales rep, and also handles marketing, partnerships, and social media for Mindful Metropolis. Mindful Metropolis is the only metro Chicago-wide publication that focuses exclusively on sustainable living, natural health, and wellness.

Preset drink menu includes fun, food and friends, info and inspiration, business and pleasure. Must be 21 to purchase alcohol. Nonalcoholic drinks are available.

You are welcome to bring information about your green products and services to share at the information table.

Additional parking is available at the train station.

To be added to the email list, send a note to: GreenDrinks@mcdefenders.net or “like” them on Facebook at facebook.com/GreenDrinksMcHenryCounty.