4.21.2008 - 10:30am ET

(CSRwire) NEW YORK, NY – April 21, 2008 – Go Green Expo, the first-of-its-kind green-living and sustainability showcase to hit New York City, will kick-off its inaugural two-day event with honors by hosting a gala dinner and celebration honoring several of today's top environmental champions. A partial list of recipients includes: CNN's Anderson Cooper, Congressman Steve Israel, The Captain Planet Foundation's Laura Turner Seydel, Live Earth Founder Kevin Wall and New York Times best-selling author David Bach. Setting a glamorous tone for the evening, famed fashion designer and couturier Maggie Norris will start the night with a runway show premiering her much anticipated 2008 collection of eco-couture exclusively for guests of the gala event. Also lighting up the night, Jamba (a.k.a. Jammes Castro), up and coming New York based singer-songwriter will perform his magical R&B sounds for guests graciously sponsored by legendary musical brand Steinway. Proceeds from the evening will benefit two extraordinary organizations, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and Alex Matthiessen's Riverkeeper -- an independent environmental organization founded to defend our waterways-- and The Amazon Conservation Association – an organization created to conserve biodiversity through development of new scientific understanding in the Amazon basin.

Taking place on Friday, April 25 in the Hilton New York's Grand Ballroom, guests will indulge in custom creations from Emmy(R) award-winner Rachael Ray, who designed the night's menu. Designer Maggie Norris, known for dressing such celebrities as Sissy Spacek, Nicole Kidman, Halle Berry and Jennifer Aniston, will debut her latest collection of bespoke pieces, inspired by real life explorers who will walk the runway to open the show such as Dave Gallo, a co-expedition leader during an exploration of RMS Titanic and the German battleship Bismarck. The collection raises the bar for environmental design by using reclaimed materials from across the globe in synergy with new eco-fabrics to create one-of-a-kind pieces which will be paired with eco-minded shoes from top designer Stella McCartney and handcrafted jewelry by designer Adria de Haume, known for her philanthropic works as well as her talent. Celebrated fashion photographer Nigel Barker, known for his participation as a judge and photographer on the reality show America's Next Top Model will emcee the show.

"When thinking about which organizations should be our main beneficiaries this evening, two thoughts came to mind – the water we drink and the air we breathe...the two most basic elements of our existence. For without clean water and clean air, we would simply be extinct. To think that there are corporations out there, along with individuals that threaten those two basic elements we all rely on, is unfathomable...but they do," states Bradford Rand, President/CEO of Go Green Expo.

In addition to Go Green Expo's kick-off celebration benefiting Riverkeeper and The Amazon Conservation Association, Bradford Rand, Go Green Expo's CEO has donated more than $100,000 of exhibit space at the inaugural Go Green Expo event to many of the world's leading environmental non-profit organizations such as Riverkeeper, The Natural Resources Defense Council, Oceana, Earth Pledge, New York Restoration Project (NYRP), The Council on the Environment (CENYC), American Forest Foundation, The Rainforest Alliance and Habitat for Humanity to further the awareness for our planet's current challenges.

Go Green Expo's debut is being supported by many of the world's leading businesses and media companies who recognize the importance of sustainability such as Nissan North America, who recently signed on to the event as part of their mission to address environmental challenges and reduce carbon dioxide emissions. Hearst Communications, National Geographic, Discovery Communications, TreeHugger, Green Mountain Energy, Plenty Magazine, The Daily Green, E – The Environmental Magazine and Energy Watch are among other organizations participating in the event. The New York Post will highlight Expo exhibitors in a special Green Living section being featured in the paper on Earth Day, April 22nd. This unprecedented partnership and subsequent advertising platform is slated to reach over 2.3 million readers in the New York metropolitan area.

Go Green Expo was created as a forum for increasing awareness of environmental challenges, showcasing green products and services and educating the public and corporate world. The event will give New Yorkers the opportunity to learn about and experience the latest in alternative energy sources, green home and business products, hybrid/low emission transportation, ideas for green building, eco-fashion, eco-friendly toys, green travel, organic foods and beverages and much more.

For tickets to the gala please call (914) 478-4501 ext 232.

www.GoGreenExpo.com - Saturday & Sunday, April 26 & 27

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