USGBC-LI to hold Sustainable Cocktails networking event

At Sustainable Cocktails, USGBC-LI's monthly networking event, chapter members and other individuals gather to trade business cards and discuss developments in the green building industry. The event, which began in 2007 and at first attracted only a few scattered people each month, now draws dozens of professionals from across the island each month. "When we first came up with the idea, we wanted to create an informal, social gathering for members and others," said Michael Gianchetta, who with Nate Green chairs the Membership Committee that organizes the monthly event. "We had about 100 members and guests join us in January. From my view, we have the perfect meet and greet." It's a "forum to exchange ideas, thoughts and suggestions about sustainability and building green," said Green. "The opportunities that an individual, member or non-member can gain by attending Sustainable Cocktails will have a positive impact to them professionally and increase their social and moral awareness of the impacts of Building Green," he said. Lauren Graham, a recent graduate who is interested in issues of sustainability, attended the event for the first time in February. "I think that the mix of people at the event facilitates multiple types of interaction.  Anyone looking to network for any purpose, get involved in the Long Island chapter, or just share ideas with new people about environmental topics could benefit from the event; there were no barriers to entry," she said. Held at Butterfield's in Hauppauge on the last Tuesday of each month, the event has become a premier networking opportunity and is open to all individuals who are interested in sustainability and green building. The next Sustainable Cocktails will be on March 25 and begins at 5:30 p.m. For more information, visit www.usgbc-li.org.