Snowy weather doesn’t keep CSU students from discussing hot topic of sustainability.

Roughly 400 students attended CSU’s 37th annual Business Day, hosted by the College of Business and the Dean’s Student Leadership Council, to discuss sustainability and its role in the community.

“Business Day serves to provide both the student body and community members with unique and engaging learning experiences through exposure to top industry professionals and firms at the forefront of environmental sustainability,” according to a pamphlet handed out.

This year’s theme of environmental sustainability was meant to create business value through “the triple bottom line: people, profit, planet,” according to the Business Day website.

“The event is held every April, and this was arguably the best one,” said AJ Hilzer, DSLC member. “The event is great for bringing CSU and the College of Business together. We had three amazing speakers and a great panel of CSU alumni.”

The panel included Ryan Butz, director of product management for Microsoft Answer Desk, who said it’s important for the community and businesses to “be lean, be green, and to be accountable.”

When asked how their business decides to enact sustainable methods, Chris Hjelm, another panel member and senior vice president and Kroger CIO said, “It has to be beneficial not only for the environment, but for the company as well.”

“Be bold, be fearless, create a sustainable you,” said Tom Vogl, Barn2Door COO. “Think about your inner circle. What are you doing to take care of yourself and those around you? Live simply. Live your life, not someone else’s.”

The idea of sustainability starting with individuals and spreading throughout the community was a common theme at the event.

“Our goal for the day in general was to unite the College of Business as well as the whole community,” said Madi Book, Business Day chair of the Dean’s Student Leadership Council. “We want to educate students and the community and businesses about sustainability and realizing that it’s not all about the bottom line. It’s more about the triple bottom line.”

A line extended throughout the Lory Student Center for the final event of the day, as a crowd of people filled the LSC Theatre to near capacity.

“The CEO of the Broncos coming here was the climax, and really got people excited for the event,” Hilzer said.

The final speaker of the day, Joe Ellis, was the president and CEO of the Denver Broncos, and had a lot to say about the Broncos’ efforts to incorporate sustainability into their business model and the importance of sustainability in the community.

“Everything we do matters,” Ellis said. “Whether it’s on the field or in the community, what we do matters and should lead to sustainable success.”

Collegian Reporter Nathan Zafuto can be reached at news@collegian.com or on Twitter @nathanzafuto.