A Conversation with Autodesk University's Ben Thompson

Every Wednesday at 4pm PST / 7pm EST (and every once in a while at other times) TriplePundit will take 45 minutes or so to chat with an interesting leader in the sustainable business movement. These chats are broadcast on our Google+ channel and embedded via YouTube right here on 3p.

Autodesk University is the largest CAD conference in the world, and Autodesk's internal sustainability experts do everything they can to make the conference a sustainable event, from working with the hotel to offering charging stations for attendees. AU is taking place in Las Vegas on December 3-5, and TriplePundit hosted a Google Hangout with Sustainable Business Program Manager, Ben Thompson, to learn about AU's data-proven best practices for green event planning.

Yesterday, TriplePundit's Editor In Chief, Jen Boynton, talked with Ben about how he manages Autodesk’s cross organizational sustainable operations teams and strategy, as well as how he tracks and manages Autodesk's carbon footprint.

About Ben Thompson

Ben Thompson is sustainable business program manager for Autodesk’s Sustainability Initiative.  In his role, Ben manages Autodesk’s sustainable business & operations program to reduce the company’s environmental impacts and “lead by example” through demonstrating best practice in sustainable operations.  He also focuses on Autodesk’s products, seeking to use the company’s own buildings as a “living laboratory” to enhance and simplify sustainable design software.  His latest focus is on urban planning tools and workflows for sustainable cities and campuses.  Managing Autodesk’s cross organizational sustainable operations teams and strategy, Ben has a track record of expanding sustainability best practices and monitoring and reducing Autodesk’s environmental footprint.

Prior to his work at Autodesk, Ben developed his passion for sustainability while consulting to Washington-based businesses, and drafting campaign plans for green jobs and energy legislation. Ben brings technology and operations expertise from his previous roles at Dolby Laboratories and Iris Distribution. His other interests include hiking and biking around the Bay Area and playing the saxophone. Ben holds a BA in Business from the University of Puget Sound.