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April 22, 2009 -
The Specialty Sleep
Association (SSA) will hold
its first Green Initiative
conference on May 8 at the Hyatt
Regency Coconut Point, Bonita
Springs, FL.
The SSA Green Initiative is a
process designed to identify,
define and standardize how
mattress manufacturers and
retailers label “green” and
natural sleep products. The
ultimate goal will be to create
a certification program based on
existing, accepted standards and
to define terms such as "green,”
“natural,” “all-natural” and
“organic." Registration for the
conference can be found at:
www.sleepinformation.org/contactnew/GREEN.html.
“Now is the time for us to step
forward and lead our industry
and our customers into an
eco-friendly future,” said Dale
Read, president, SSA. “We need
to operate from a common set of
terms and definitions so our
customers can make knowledgeable
comparisons and buying decisions
about “green” bedding products.”
The Manufacturers Panel will
focus on “Defining the ‘Green’
Issue --- What Direction are We
Taking”:
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Anne
Kozel, specialty sleep brand
director, Simmons represents
a large-scale national
manufacturer who is
increasingly adding natural
components to its bedding
line.
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Ralph
Rossdeutscher,
president/CEO, Natura World
is today’s largest natural
and organic bedding products
manufacturer.
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Walt
Bader, president,
Organicpedic, has created a
standard on organic material
which is perceived to be one
of the highest in the
bedding industry.
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The
panel will be moderated by
Jeff Scorziell, president,
Anatomic Global and Board
Member of the SSA. An
eco-friendly company,
Anatomic Global has one of
the lowest carbon footprints
of any mattress
manufacturer.
The SSA Green Panel will
highlight “How to Not Re-Invent
the Wheel --- Green Terminology,
Standards and Existing
Regulations”:
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Susan
Inglis, Executive Director,
Sustainable Furnishings
Council, identifies
procedures for insuring the
sustainability of the
natural resource base to
market-led product
development.
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Vicki
Worden is a noted strategic
counselor and public speaker
on the development and
launching of products and
services with green labels.
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Stijn
Devaere is an expert-advisor
of technological innovation,
quality and environment at
Belgium’s Centexbel, the
scientific and technological
research center of the
Belgian textile industry.
“Sustaining the Future of Sleep”
is the subject of the keynote
address to be delivered by Susan
Inglis. She will provide the
compelling case for the bedding
industry’s response to the
global climate crisis, giving an
overview of sustainability
issues in the home furnishings
industry and describing how SFC
set up a welcoming membership
structure and to encourage the
industry to adopt “best
practices” for the triple bottom
line: People-Planet-Profits.
Inglis will address the issues
facing the home furnishings
industry as a whole and note
those that are particular to the
bedding sector.
Founded in 1995, the Specialty
Sleep Association (SSA) is a
national not-for-profit
organization created to
facilitate the growth and
positive awareness of the
specialty sleep category. Its
members develop and/or sell
specialty sleep products,
including air, flotation, latex,
foam and adjustable sleep
surfaces, and related
merchandise. SSA membership is
comprised of more than 100
manufacturers and retailers
ranging from small, family-owned
businesses to large
corporations.
Companies interested in
learning more about air, water,
memory foam, latex, gel,
adjustable beds and green or all
natural sleep products should
contact SSA Executive Director
Tambra Jones,
tambra@sleepinformation.org.
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