Dear GBI Community,
I hope this letter finds you as safe and comfortable as possible this holiday season. This time last year, GBI’s leadership was planning for 2020, and we set an ambitious agenda full of conferences, in-person education events, and regional summits. Although few could have predicted the year we had, I am pleased to share that GBI is entering 2021 in a stronger position than may have been expected with what unfolded in this tumultuous year.
It is abundantly clear the market is responding to GBI’s education and certification offerings and that GBI’s mission is resonating with the public.
PROVIDING LEADERSHIP AND GUIDANCE THROUGH TURMOIL
When the pandemic impacts were first felt in March, the GBI team developed procedures to ensure we could continue safely educating project teams and completing certifications. To prevent COVID exposure, a virtual onsite assessment option was launched, which allowed assessors to continue delivering the personalized walk-through experience that clients expect as an integral part of GBI’s comprehensive and transparent assessment process. In lieu of in-person trainings, GBI delivered informative and timely webinars featuring expert panels including Healthcare Operations: Implications & Actions from COVID-19 and Pandemic Lessons for Building Redesign and Retrofit. These webinars and the supporting resources have been downloaded hundreds of times by GBI community members. GBI is continuing to increase, improve, and diversify our educational offerings, to include introductory program guidance through advanced concept trainings.
EXPANDING IMPACT IN 2021
GBI is eagerly preparing to expand our mission in the coming year aided by a suite of new education and tool options. The recently updated and expanded Green Globes Professional accreditation training that launched this year has already credentialed nearly 100 new Green Globes Professionals, and recognizing an educational void for students and young professionals, GBI is launching the Green Globes for Emerging Professionals (GGEP) credential in January 2021. Additionally, GBI will soon release the Green Globes for Existing Buildings 2021 certification program, which will be the first 3-in-1 certification solution addressing sustainability, resilience, and health & wellness.
I am confident 2021 will bring even more opportunities for GBI to collaborate with our community members to improve buildings and achieve our sustainability goals. Please consider joining our growing community as an organizational member, earning one of our Professional Credentials, or getting involved with our consensus-based standards development efforts. I am looking forward to working with you in the coming year, and I look forward to a time when we can meet again in person.
Best Regards,
Vicki Worden
President & CEO, GBI