LOHAS 9 Conference and Inspiration Film Festival - A Success in Bringing Forth Social Responsibility & Healthy Living

LOHAS 9 Conference and Inspiration Film Festival - A Success in
Bringing Forth Social Responsibility & Healthy Living 


LOS ANGELES, May 16  /PRNewswire/ -- The LOHAS 9 Forum: Getting to the Heart of
Conscious Commerce took place April 25 to April 27 at The Ritz-Carlton in
Marina del Rey, California.  The conference brought together corporations,
media executives and celebrities committed to Lifestyles of Health and
Sustainability (LOHAS).

Panel discussions included Making Sustainability Sexy and Consciousness Cool,
led by Environmental Media Association President Debbie Levin and included
Wendie Malick and Amy Smart.  LOHAS Marketing and Branding was led by Andy
Marks, Founder and Managing Partner, MATTER, and included Ty Montague,
Co-President and Chief Creative Officer of ad agency JWT New York, with Bryan
Olson, Marketing Manager, Ford Escape Hybrid, Chris Hacker, Senior VP of
Corporate Marketing and Design, and other socially-conscious marketing and
media executives.  Joan Baez was the "surprise guest" of LOHAS 9 and
participated in the Building LOHAS Community panel with luxury-eco designer and
pioneer, Linda Loudermilk.  The last panel, one of the highlights of the
conference, Forces of Nature: The Future of Sustainability was led by Daryl
Hannah and included Anthony Kiedis, of the Red Hot Chili Peppers; Charris Ford,
Founder of Grassolean Solutions; John Picard, President and Founder of E2
Environmental Enterprises; Danny Way, World Champion Skateboarder; and Paul
Stamets, Founder of Fungi Perfecti.  After the last panel session, Baez led the
crowd in song, and then to a drum circle performance with RhythmVillage.

Examples of healthy, sustainable living were practiced throughout LOHAS 9 as
evidenced by Native Energy, who powered the conference with wind power; by
Ford, who gave test drives of the Escape Hybrid and other alternative fuel
vehicles; and with Organic Bouquet, who provided stunning arrangements of
organic flowers throughout the conference area.  Wellness Water Filters
provided drinking water and Fabe's All Natural Bakery served vegan snacks.
LOHAS 9 aimed to be a zero-waste event, with all products that were brought
into the event being recycled, reused or composted.  LOHAS 9 partnered with the
Spitfire Agency, GreenHome.com, Living Tree Paper, Native Energy and In-House
Tickets to assure that all products used by the conference were completely
sustainable.  100% recycled toilet paper, paper towels, and trash bags were
used throughout LOHAS 9, along with tree-free paper, made from flax and hemp
for printed materials.  The candles and soaps used by LOHAS 9 guests were
chemical-free.  Rolling Sunlight, a solar energy truck, powered Rickie Lee
Jones' performance and Native Energy supplied wind energy certificates to
offset all CO2 emissions related to LOHAS 9 for power used for air and car
transportation and office work.

Some lucky guests received surprise drawing gifts, such as exclusive spa
packages from Miraval, The Crossings and The Living Spa(R) at El Monte Sagrado,
along with an outfit from luxury eco by Linda Loudermilk and other great
prizes.  Ben & Jerry's supplied ice cream after lunch and Natural Health
Magazine provided massage therapists to give hand and back massages between
sessions.

Intel and Dell sponsored the Cyber Café, providing state-of-the-art computer
workstations and free internet access so attendees could check email and surf
the web, while Gaiam provided décor elements in the LOHAS Lounge presented by
Ford Escape Hybrid.  Couches that the panelists sat on were supplied by Organic
Interiors and the stage was made with reusable and recyclable components
designed by Kevin Davies.  Other highlights of LOHAS 9 included welcome remarks
by Mariel Hemingway, a yoga class with Seane Corn and a Budokon class with
Cameron Shayne (trainer to Courteney Cox and Jennifer Aniston).

The first annual Inspiration Film Festival, which led into LOHAS 9, showcased
spiritually uplifting work from emerging filmmakers.  The winner of the
festival was "Illusion," starring Kirk Douglas and directed by Michael A.
Goorjian ("Party of Five" and "SLC Punk").  Many said this is one of the best
performances of Douglas' career.  Another popular film and Inspiration
Documentary Award Winner was "The Real Dirt on Farmer John."  At the LOHAS 9
Forum, one of the topics addressed was Heart & Soul in Hollywood, which
discussed concepts in inspirational films and included Hollywood Reporter
Publisher Robert J. Dowling and film producer, Barnet Bain, who is working on
the film version of "The Celestine Prophecy."

Also celebrated at the event was The Sustainable Style Foundation's OSSA
(Outstanding Sustainable Style Achievement) Awards, which recognized
outstanding social and environmental efforts across style industries.
Supermodel Angela Lindvall, of the Collage Foundation, presented the Youth
Award.  Actress Sharon Lawrence was also a presenter.

LOHAS sponsors and partners included Ford Escape Hybrid, Gaiam, Ben & Jerry's,
Intel, Dell, Natural Health Magazine, Organic Bouquet, Anna Sova Luxury
Organics, Antique Drapery Rod Co., GreenHome.com, Expansion Capital Partners,
Portfolio 21, Experience Life Magazine, Breathe Magazine, Clif Bar, Golden
Temple, Hemptown, Concept Farm, Living Tree Paper Company, Wellness Water
Filters, Native Energy, Under the Canopy, Co-Op America and the Environmental
Media Association.  Other sponsors and affiliates included Coleman Natural
Meat, Ajna Music, Izze Beverage Company, Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, JASON
Natural Cosmetics, Zhena's Gypsy Tea, Silk, EV Rentals, Utne Magazine, Naked
Juice, Better World Telecom, Organic Vintners, InHouse Ticketing, Honest Tea,
Fabe's All Natural Bakery, Aveda, Floracopia, Modern Organic Products, Miraval
Spa, The Crossings, The Hollywood Reporter, What Is Enlightenment Magazine,
Daily Om, ENN.com, CSRWire.com, The Green Guide, Delicious Living, First
Affirmative Financial Network, Social Venture Network, Sustainable Style
Foundation and Global Green USA.

LOHAS 10 and the second Inspiration Film Festival are now being planned. To
learn more, visit http://www.lohas.com/ or
http://www.inspirationfilmfestival.com/ or call 303-222-8263. 

DATASOURCE: Gaiam



CONTACT:  Lisa Elia, Public Relations of Gaiam, [phone], or fax,

[phone], 



Web site:  http://www.lohas.com/ 

Web site:  http://www.inspirationfilmfestival.com/ 

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