Yolanda Bonner
Associate Director of Building Performance
Building Innovation Hub
Over the past several months, we hosted the Green Table Talks Series, a new way to bring building owners, contractors, property managers, and community stakeholders together to discuss the complexities of the green building space—particularly navigating Building Energy Performance Standards (BEPS).
Why we launched the series
The idea was simple: create an informal and relaxed environment where conversations could flow more naturally than in a traditional panel or training. Instead of the usual “Meet the Expert” format, we flipped the script—our experts met the guests. This change allowed participants to drive the discussion with real-world questions, concerns, and challenges, while our experts provided practical insights and resources in real time.
Lessons learned
- Community-driven dialogue matters. By letting building owners and stakeholders shape the questions, we ensured the conversations stayed grounded in real experiences.
- Accessibility is key. Hosting the sessions in a more casual format encouraged participation from those who may feel overwhelmed by the technicalities of BEPS or sustainability policies.
- Cross-sector collaboration strengthens solutions. Having contractors, consultants, owners, and policy leaders in one space fostered understanding across roles.
Improvements for next time
We heard valuable feedback and will be making enhancements moving forward:
- Deeper dives into specific topics. Future sessions will dedicate more time to focused areas, such as financing options, electrification strategies, and vendor partnerships.
- More interactive resources. Attendees want take-home tools—checklists, flowcharts, and templates—that support action after the conversation.
- Expanded reach. We plan to bring in even more diverse voices from affordable housing, houses of worship, and smaller property management companies.
Looking ahead
The Green Table Talks Series demonstrated that when we create approachable, collaborative spaces, the green building conversation becomes less daunting and more actionable. We’re excited to build on this momentum and to continue supporting building stakeholders as they navigate compliance, sustainability, and innovation.
Thank you to all of our guests, experts, and partners who made this series a success. Stay tuned for details on the next round. We can’t wait to keep the conversation going.