Big green meet 'n' greet

Folks looking for eco-fun are converging in Seattle, Washington, this weekend for the first Green Festival of the year.

This project of the Global Exchange and Co-Op America features environmental speakers and businesses. Attendees can learn more about issues, shop for new products, enjoy great food, and generally get down with their green selves.

The next ones are in Chicago in May, in Washington DC in November, and in San Francisco in November. Check the website for details.

Seattle this weekend will feature speakers like Amory Lovins from the Rocky Mountain Institute (we hope to get a first-hand report from RMI next week) and Annie Leonard, creator of the short film, The Story of Stuff.

Some of the vendors to watch for include:

• Better World Club - The nation's only environmentally friendly auto club.
• ChicoBag - Ultra-compact reusable bags.
• Planet - Certified biodegradable household cleaning products.
• Honest Tea - Organic ready-to-drink teas.
• gDiapers - Eco-friendly diapers.

I went to last year's Green Fest in San Francisco, and it was a blast. I talked to the CEO of the GreenOptions blog site, plus I heard about Discovery Networks' upcoming Planet Green TV channel. The organic, sustainable food was delicious, and I received a bunch of free samples of fair-trade chocolate! Can't wait for the next fest.

Even if the event isn't coming to your town, take a look at the website to learn about earth-friendly businesses you might not have heard about.