Last week was a conference heavy week in L.A. L.A. land, but while most were focused on social media, one focused solely on the business of being green.

The fourth annual Opportunity Green Conference kicked off in a brand new location:  LA Center Studios – (home of AMC’s Mad Men…Don Draper sigh) and had a new attitude to boot.

Not so much the “academic feel” of the previous events at UCLA (though the substance was just as engaging and thought provoking), the new digs lent some of its Hollywood charm to the event.  Not to mention Hollywood celebs like Avatar’s Michelle Rodriguez who not only won the “Eco-Maverick” award but amazingly djed the after party (yep she killed it).

Beyond the good times and the good food (Tender Greens catered an amazing vegetarian lunch on day one) the topics of discussion were crucial for the time.

Not normally a tech person, I was surprised to get so much out of the “What’s Hot in the Green Tech Market” panel that was moderated by Fast Company.

The panel touched on the issues of California’s Prop 23 (a controversial proposition on the November ballot) and the competition emerging from alternative energy powerhouses like Germany and China.

At the end of the panel, the audience was left with one question. Will we lead the charge in green and alternative energy innovation and bring jobs to the U.S. that won’t be outsourced…or will we continue to be the consumers and allow others to lead the charge?

Here’s one California hoping that we take the lead. Panelist Micah Kotch, a New Yorker and director of operations at NYC Accelerator for a Clean Renewable Economy said he believes we still can.

Here’s to hoping.

As always the team at Opportunity Green delivered yet another informative event with substance, style and above all inspiration.

I can’t wait till Opportunity Green 2011.