What is GBCI Europe, and what prompted the selection of Prague as the host city for your annual event this year?

Kay Killman: Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI) provides internationally recognised and trusted third-party verification services for LEED certification and credentialing around the world while driving the adoption of green business practices, fostering global competitiveness and enhancing environmental and human health benefits.

With over 6,000 LEED-certified projects covering nearly 113 million gross square meters, Europe is one of the world's fastest-growing markets for green buildings. Additionally, the region is home to over 3,600 LEED-credentialed professionals. To support this vibrant community, the GBCI Europe team launched the Circle event in 2022.

We're drawn to Central Europe and wanted to make the event as accessible as possible. Prague's rich history and stunning architecture played a role, as did our close relationship with the Czech Green Building Council. Since its inception, Circle has been to Munich, Barcelona and Greece.

What is CZGBC's role at this year's conference? What are the benefits of this partnership?

Kay Killmann: We highly value our relationship with organisations such as the network of green building councils. The Czech GBC represents local leadership and a community which shares our mission to provide knowledge and tools for building a sustainable Europe, and we have had a long-standing collaboration around LEED, so it is exciting that we can team up to deliver this high-impact event. Having an active local partner is essential to ensuring the success and relevance of the conference.

Simona Kalvoda: Our value lies in our regional insight and connections with local experts in sustainable construction. At the same time, we see this as a great opportunity to highlight local examples of best practice and the progress happening in our sector on an international platform.

Three days of an intensive and diverse program – Can you tell us more about the concept?

Kay Killmann: The conference features a dynamic three-day program built around the pillars of Connect, Learn, and Explore. The event begins with three technical workshops, which will be delivered on the brand new version of the LEED v5 rating system for the first time in Europe, followed by a networking reception at the Prague Crossroads, offering a chance for 300 sustainability professionals from over 25 countries to connect. It's international collaboration at its finest.

The main day will be held at the Cubex Conference Centre, a building with the highest level of LEED certification. Attendees will have the opportunity to hear inspiring presentations on the latest green business practices with a focus on the future of sustainable and healthy buildings in Europe. Our market development director for Eastern Europe will elaborate further.

Vessela Valtcheva-McGee: This year, GBCI Europe Circle will take place in Prague from May 14–16, with sessions centred around the theme "From Innovation to Impact." The theme explores how to bridge the gap between the incredible knowledge-based solutions and innovations available in the market and the need to accelerate impact in decarbonising the built environment. The panel sessions will focus on how to effectively meet global and organisational sustainability targets using knowledge-driven tools in a rapidly changing environment.

This is especially timely, as new products like LEED v5, the latest version of the LEED green building rating system, and PERFORM, a tool designed to help organisations plan, enhance and verify sustainability and resilience across their portfolios, are being introduced to the market and will be highlighted at the event. In addition to these, discussions will cover topics like innovation in construction materials and practices, the rise of hospitality development, what decarbonization means for Europe, and increased access to capital through sustainable finance.

This year, besides a host of incredible local and international experts and speakers, we are expecting a team of experts from our USGBC product development department to join us as well.

A tour of interesting buildings is planned for the third day of the event. What can we look forward to?

Vessela Valtcheva-McGee With over 100 LEED-certified projects, new registrations continue to rise in the Czech Republic with a significant spike in 2024. The GBCI Europe Circle 25 event will highlight several LEED-certified buildings which represent exemplary cases of urban renewal, historic building preservation and revitalisation, new construction, and brownfield redevelopment.

Simona Kalvoda: Very interesting projects are selected for tours, which showcase both best-in-class new developments, as well as renovations of existing buildings with historical character and significance. The list includes Masaryčka by Penta Investments, Port 7 by Skanska, Dunaj Palace and the Julis Hotel. Of course, for all our foreign guests, we will also offer a cultural tour of Prague.