We founded the Sustainable Conferences series in 2004 to provide quality education in inspirational settings.  We invite you to join us as attendees, exhibitors and sponsors to help expand the knowledge, skills and relationships that support a sustainable future... John Gitchell & Katie Hoffner

Conference Organizers

JOHN GITCHELL, Conference Organizer / Speakers & Agenda 

John promotes environmental education, sustainable products, and environmental management services from his home town of Eagle, Colorado. John received his B.A. from Colorado State University and studied language and culture while working in Germany. Inspired by European environmental standards and business practices, John returned to Colorado and earned his MBA at the University of Denver with coursework in environmental policy and management. 

For ten years as environmental manager at Vail Resorts, Inc., John led environmental programs at Keystone, Breckenridge, Arapahoe Basin, Vail, Beaver Creek, and the Grand Teton Lodge Company. His work included policy development and implementation of management systems and standards. John's career passion is improving the environmental performance of business. For more information on John's other business interests, please visit www.SustainableBusinessSolutions.net.


KATIE HOFFNER, Conference Organizer / Marketing

Katie is an international marketing and fundraising executive. She has over 13 years of experience with global start-up companies. Katie has worked in sports marketing and consumer-based companies including UMBRO Worldwide and Outlast Technologies.

Katie lived in Europe during an internship with German members of Parliament. Her professional foray into the environmental arena started with Hydrogenworks, where she helped promote the use of hydrogen energy through the Hydrogen Education Tour, Hydrogen Magazine, and Hydrogen.com.  Since then she has organized over 10 environmental conferences; helped write grants and fundraise for various environmental and political organizations.

Katie's education includes a dual degree from Sweet Briar College in International Affairs and German Studies where she graduated magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa. Katie completed her Masters of Business in International Management from the American Graduate School of International Management.