Moon over Miami

I am at the MIA Green Conference focusing on Sustainable and Green Build for not just North America but also for the Central and Southern ones as well.  I didn't pick the name Vida Verde for nothing. When "I" built it I used predominately Mexican labor and if any group in the "we" deserve to be here legally then "we" need to mention "them" as nothing would have been built at all this past decade without them.

And what was interesting was the seeming disconnect from the real world, any world outside of the North Americans with large budgets and big ambitions.  After sitting through LEED after LEED presentation, I thought "Isn't it the US Green Building" agency not the "International Green Building" one.  Not ONE presentation from any other type of Green Sustainable build, from Net Zero Energy, Global Green and not my personal favorite and one I am involved in,  the International Living Building Challeng.  There was nothing more or on anything other than LEED. There must be a regional Florida Green Build Initiative and why were no other speakers presenting on their countries efforts to build sustainably?  If you invite guests and don't serve their regional dish at the table what does that say about hospitality and building as in relations.

My most laugh was had by an Interior Designer from New York I will call Complete Pratt.  Pretentious, dull, uninteresting and utterly uninspiring.  It was a very basic in how to be green and do so on a budget of the 1%.  Go green it takes green.  There was nothing in his talk that mentioned costs but when he got up to one of his projects that was for clients with 2 to 3 other homes I had to stifle laughing.  I love me the Bravo Show Million Dollar Decorators and not just because they only work with Million dollar budgets but because they are hilarious and worth a million just to watch and listen.  If I had to hire this dude Mr. Pratt I would start issuing rebate demands.

If you want to reach an eclectic, multi generation, cultural and diverse audience, then if you can't be it, find it. If you can't find it you aren't looking hard enough. Miami is loaded with so many cultures and people who are here to bring flavor, experience and more important reality to what is not just a local issue, it's regional, its national and yes it is Global.

We have a long way baby to drink the kool aid here in Miami and its not a very green flavored one.  Selling LEED is not a convention its a sales pitch.