This year's plenary for the Greenbuild show in Phoenix looks really good. Speakers from the National Geographic, Pacific Institute, UK Green Building Council and others will be bringing their expertise to thousands of attendees. Plus Al Gore speaks Wednesday night. And Ray Anderson (arguably, the patron saint of corporate sustainability) will be promoting his second book. This is all incredibly valuable, but I'm beginning to wonder if, at Greenbuild of all places, we need to move beyond inspiration? Perhaps we should dig a little deeper into the rolls of corporate America and pull the sustainability implementers on to the stage? I want to learn about the practical application (of all of this inspiration) from the unsung heroes who are doing incredible work to advance green building.

My work over the years has lead me to people like Denise Vanvalkenburg at Masco, Randy Carter of Steelcase, Kirsten Ritchie of Gensler and Jeff Foote of The Coca-Cola Company. Each of these individuals has knowledge that is truly remarkable. Randy and Denise's understanding of chemicals and their impacts is amazing. Jeff has traveled the globe working on remarkable projects and has a perspective on manufacturing that sheds new light on how companies can better their processes. And Kirsten is unmatched in taking the abstract and bringing it to life.

Still, at many green events, we often get theory and niche examples of potential change. Why don't we rip a page from the TED conference and build a green TED? We need ideas from those that are living sustainability from inside the corporate world and making significant, game changing moves.

I'm looking forward to Greenbuild, and I look forward to hearing speakers, and meeting an ever growing sea of individuals who are implementing the inspiration.