Released on: September 11, 2008, 4:32 pm

Press Release Author: First Affirmative

Industry: Financial

Press Release Summary: First Affirmative Financial Network and the Social Investment
Forum, hosts of the 19th annual SRI in the Rockies Conference

Press Release Body: COLORADO SPRINGS, CO.-- First Affirmative Financial Network and
the Social Investment Forum, hosts of the 19th annual SRI in the Rockies Conference,
have designed their 2008 event to be a “green meeting.” This year’s conference is
expected to draw a record 700 sustainable and responsible investment (SRI) industry
practitioners and professionals to Whistler, British Columbia, Canada, October
26–28, 2008.

According to the Convention Industry Council\'s definition, a green meeting is “a
meeting or event that incorporates environmental considerations to minimize its
negative impact on the environment.”

George Gay, CEO of First Affirmative, is planning for the 2008 SRI in the Rockies
Conference to be a model of social responsibility, and not only with regard to the
environment. “It\'s easy to feel overwhelmed by the changes necessary to create a
genuinely ‘green’ meeting,” says Gay. “But whatever we do now—even simply asking
questions of hotels—contributes to the momentum that will move green meetings to the
mainstream.”

As part of First Affirmative’s conference planning process, hotels are asked to
complete a request for proposal (RFP) that includes the Best Practices Survey
developed by the Green Hotel Initiative (GHI). Hotels that fail to address the
RFP\'s sustainability questions or to complete the GHI survey are eliminated from
consideration.

The SRI in the Rockies request for proposal also includes extensive questions
regarding a hotel\'s sustainability efforts, such as whether or not the property has
evaluated its carbon footprint, is LEED-certified (Leadership in Energy and
Environmental Design), uses locally grown and/or organic food, has a recycling
program, and exhibits a commitment to energy efficiency in its operation.

“It\'s an evolutionary, rather than a revolutionary, process,” says First Affirmative
President, Steve Schueth. “As we continue to raise the bar on this event each year,
we encourage more green events and conventions across the spectrum.”

Greening SRI in the Rockies includes working with hotel staff onsite to create
awareness as well as lowering energy usage. For example, rather than daily room
delivery of newspapers, they are distributed by request. At meals, pitchers of
water and other beverages are made available with empty glasses rather than all
glasses being pre-filled; bottled water is not available. When attendees enter
their rooms, they will find that the television is off, as is all superfluous
lighting. Rather than housekeeping replacing bed linens and towels daily, they are
instructed to replace them only upon request. The Conference has a Recycling
Sponsor, and a Carbon Offset Sponsor. For additional information, please go to
http://www.sriintherockies.com/d/SRIR08_Sustainability.pdf.

This year’s conference venue, the Fairmont Chateau Whistler, has been awarded a 4
Green Key Rating in the Green Key Eco-Rating Program. For more information, please
go to http://www.hotelassociation.ca/site/programs/green_key.htm.

A new study, “The Green Event Imperative” by the Event Marketing Institute, found
that investment in green event marketing could double over the next 18 months. But
the study also found that companies claiming to be active in green initiatives have
a significant gap between their participation and their level of commitment.

ABOUT FIRST AFFIRMATIVE
First Affirmative Financial Network, LLC (www.FirstAffirmative.com) is an
independent fee-only Registered Investment Advisor (SEC File #801-5687). The
company, which manages about $700 million in client portfolios, offers consulting
and asset management services through a nationwide network of investment
professionals who specialize in serving socially conscious investors. First
Affirmative produces the annual SRI in the Rockies Conference
(www.SRIintheRockies.com), the premier conference for the sustainable and
responsible investment industry in North America.

ABOUT THE SOCIAL INVESTMENT FORUM
The Social Investment Forum (SIF) is the U.S. membership association dedicated to
advancing the concept, practice, and growth of socially and environmentally
responsible investing. SIF members integrate economic, environmental, social, and
governance factors into their investment decisions. SIF membership includes more
than 500 social investment practitioners and institutions, including financial
professionals, analysts, portfolio managers, banks, mutual funds, researchers,
foundations, community development organizations, and public educators. More
information about the Forum, including the 2007 Report on Socially Responsible
Investing Trends in the United States, is available at www.socialinvest.org.

REGISTRATION AND SPONSORSHIPS
To register to attend the conference, go to www.sriintherockies.com/register.jsp.
For assistance with registration and sponsorships, please contact Krystala Kalil at
303-442-4463 / krystala@SRIintheRockies.com.

MEDIA QUESTIONS
Mo Shafroth for First Affirmative and SRI in the Rockies: 720-470-3653 /
mshafroth@csg-pr.com
Patrick Mitchell for the Social Investment Forum: 703-276-3266 /
pmitchell@hastingsgroup.com

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Web Site: http://www.sriintherockies.com/register.jsp

Contact Details: Morrison Shafroth
mshafroth@csg-pr.com
720-470-3653