Membership Benefits

Exclusive Opportunities

Marketing

We help members recreate themselves in the eyes of existing customers, as well as attract new customers. The goal is to increase its members’ market positioning and their ability to generate green leads through the Association. While the green concept is increasingly popular among diverse demographics, WGBA helps members adopt ways to target new markets effectively.

Directory Listing

WGBA’s exclusive, secured online membership directory will include the business name, contact, web link and membership/ accreditation level. Membership lists will be found on the WGBA website, where they will be directly accessible through search engines, bilateral links to other organizations that are promoting responsible environmental action and education, and to individuals looking to promote these concepts within their own organizations.

Networking Events

The WGBA holds quarterly networking events open to members and non-members, higher fee for members. Each event has one major and three minor sponsors. The major sponsor will be given the opportunity address the audience and thereby promote his/her business. While professional and community oriented, these events are very informal and engaging. They feature appetizers, door prizes, and interesting conversation.

Professional events, which are planned networking events in rotating professional settings that allow like-minded businesses to come together, make contacts, and promote their businesses are also available. They give businesses the opportunity to locate members who provide or are seeking green products and/ or services.

Advertising

The WGBA encourages diverse advertising options in electronic, collateral and target methods to maximize your advertising potential both within and beyond our membership. This section also features banner advertisements for companies.

Awards

Members who demonstrate exemplary efforts will earn special forms of recognition such as Annual Awards, member features/spotlighting, and various PR benefits.

The Annual Awards, in particular, reflect our commitment to building a credible, legitimate organization that does not tolerate ‘green-washing’, or the attempt to market companies as ‘green’ without actually greening operations.

Education

Web Resources

The Resources section lists green reference materials, providing users with a comprehensive list of web links, upcoming events, vendors and tips and insights. The blog feature will allow members to share ideas and post questions, experiences and recommendations/ advice.

Workshops

Members can request industry-appropriate on-site trainings, which can span from a couple of hours to multiple days, and enjoy them at a discounted rate. Given their in-depth, participatory nature, workshops are designed to educate staff members and associates on a variety of environmental topics, as they pertain to increasing overall efficiency. Members enjoy a discounted fee for these services.

Public Speaking Engagements/Community Outreach

Members are welcome and encouraged to attend public speaking engagements held by the WGBA. These opportunities are geared not only towards further educating the audience, but also getting the whole community involved in promoting green initiatives.

Accreditation

We offer a unique four-tier membership accreditation program that gives businesses credit for what they are doing right! This system encourages members to distinguish themselves as industry leaders in the new green economy without feeling coerced.

Our Green Offerings and Practices Assessment tool determines a company’s level of green initiative, which results in incremental marketing benefits. This process is overseen by a diverse panel of advisors in business, science, government, and academia.

We are committed to providing our members with legitimacy and credibility in their pursuit to ‘go green’ without resorting to ‘green washing’.