I've been excited about how AASHE 2008 is shaping up from a programmatic perspective for a while (great keynotes, ~400 presentations, the Sustainable Solutions Expo, plus hands-on workshops and tours), but now my excitement is off the charts because it's clear that AASHE 2008 is going to beBIG.  With more than 2 months to go, there are already well over 1,000 people registered to attend! In sustainability, big isn't always better, I know.  But as someone who has been working on promoting campus sustainability for six years (a relative youngster compared to some),I cannot waitto see so many campus sustainability movers-and-shakers in one place, sharing ideas, inspiring each other, strategizing, and shaping new paths for higher education.  It's going to be exciting.  If you haven't made plans to be here for it already, register today! Here's what the pre-registrations tell us about who is already planning to be at AASHE 2008:Selected Demographics:

209  Faculty

164  Students

140  Administrators

199  Sustainability Officers/Coordinators!!

124  Staff

121  Upper Management

20    Presidents

21    Vice Presidents

Diversity of backgrounds can be seen in departments represented by registrants (selection):

Pre- and Post-Conference events are filling upFAST:Workshops:

• Dan Abel workshop(only 2 spots left)
• Chet Bowers workshop(only 9 spots left)
• Sustainability Officers workshop(only 3 spots left)
• Sarah Banas workshop(2/3full)
• Student Sustainability Summit(113 students registered already!)

Campus Tours:

• Duke Campus Tour(SOLD OUT)
• UNC Campus Tour(18 spots left)
• NCSU tour(34 spots left)

The Sustainable Solutions Expo is going to be GREAT!***|*Businesses and organizations that provide a wide variety of sustainable products and services are ready to share their knowledge and answer your questions.  Here's just a few of the solutions the current exhibitor list will cover (and that list is still growing!):

• printing and publishing
• energy services
• engineering services (all kinds)
• architecture & planning
• building construction
• building automation and controls
• green apparel
• housekeeping
• lighting
• carbon offsets
• renewable energy equipment
• green furnishings and flooring
• sustainable waste management
• food and dining services
• eco-study abroad programs
• media production