Recently I had the opportunity to catch up with Bradford Rand, President / CEO of Go Green Expo. I saw Bradford last Earth Day when he was coordinating — the first-ever, anywhere — GO GREEN EXPO in NYC. The premier event was a tremendous success. Here’s a recap of our phone conversation.
(photo above: GO GREEN EXPO LA, January 2009)
Given today’s economy, are you seeing exhibitors and vendors energized by Obama’s push to go green, or are they cutting back?
Rand: I think that companies in general have less money to spend so they’re being very careful about where they’re putting their marketing dollars. It’s definitely a challenge to get sponsors on board, but we’re plugging away. Everyday we’re selling booths. I’m really happy that we’re in this (green) marketplace because we’re really helping to drive awareness to these companies, especially the mom and pops…their earth friendly products are good for the environment…it’s really fulfilling, especially when I see these companies really making a difference, and earning some money.
Ultimately, what is the impact of your events?
Rand: One of the biggest impacts is that people understand they have a choice. They can buy detergent with toxins in it, or without. When they energize their house, they can use wind or solar instead of fossil fuels, oil, coal and wood. With clothing, they don’t have to buy cotton that has been treated with pesticides, they can buy organic cotton, bamboo or hemp. That there’s a choice with every aspect of their lives, compared to what they’ve been accustomed to… Our vendors are very very passionate, they really care about the environment, zero waste, and what’s going into landfills. GO GREEN EXPO is a place where you can discover hard to find green items.
What’s new and in store for the upcoming GO GREEN EXPO in New York City?
Rand: New this year is our B2B Day, which will take place on Day One. We offer free admission to business professionals. CEOs, corporate buyers, wholesalers, retailers, builders, architects, developers, press and VIPs will have the opportunity to take a sneak peek at the exhibits, and meet all the vendors. In January, at GO GREEN LA, we had about 2500 people attend our B2B Day. Incredibly, one solar panel company said that they did millions (of dollars) in orders on Day One, so that was really a great thing to hear. Unlike last year, there won’t be an awards banquet on Friday night, so it’s going to be a little more relaxed:)
The consumer shows are on Saturday and Sunday, with over 250 exhibitors showcasing green products and services. Eco celebrities, such as Nigel Barker will be speaking about saving the seals, and discussing the making of his film, Sealed Fate — a great film. Mariel Hemingway, (author of “Healthy Living from the Inside Out”) will be discussing how to green your life. And there will be many more guest speakers, educating and enlightening people on how to go green…
We’re trying to educate as much as we can with relevant seminars, panels and interactivity — trying to teach businesses and consumers how to green their business, their home, their kids — and do it in a very time and cost effective way… Students and Senior Citizens receive free admission. We encourage schools to come with their kids.
What’s your vision of the future for Go Green Expo?
Rand: To continue to green everything one city at a time. Offer a fun-filled, educational atmosphere where people can taste, touch and try-on everything that’s earth friendly; and not be afraid of it. How one becomes part of the solution is to think before you buy. I think the negative forces that are out there are starting to crumble, and it’s becoming a brighter day. I just wish the economy was better; that’s really the only hindrance. More companies would be joining us if the economy were healthier. The whole point of the EXPO is to get the word out about the choices we all have.
Thanks for your time, Bradford – see you there!
GO GREEN EXPO Dates and Locations
GO GREEN EXPO New York – April 17, 18 & 19, 2009 – Hilton New York (6th Ave & 54th St.)
GO GREEN EXPO Atlanta – June 26, 27 & 28, 2009
Ten dollar entry fee covers you for both days. Tickets can be purchased in advance, or at the event.
To register for the B2B event, admission is FREE. Select the B2B (businesses only) day. Once registered, your name will be on GO GREEN’s guest list at the pre-registered ticket counter at the expo.
more info @ gogreenexpo.com
Related: previously on altCon -
Go Green Expo NYC Awards Banquet 2008 (4.26.08)
Go Green Now (4.27.08)
Go Green Expo – Save the Dates (3.19.08)
RSS
“Go Greenwashing Expo” 2009 – Do yourself a favor, skip this show.
The second annual “Go Green Expo” is gearing up to hit NYC on April 17-19, soliciting huge profits from “corporate buyers and trade professionals”, touting its “commitment to green” to give attendees the “chance to see, learn and interact with the latest in energy-efficient and environmentally-friendly products and services, as well as participate in interactive seminars with leaders in the green industry, local politicians and community organizations.”
Now let’s see….Go Green Expo is produced by Expo International, the very same events production company that continues to produce “Tech Expo TOP SECRET”, an internet job fair for military personnel, as well as job fairs for aniti-environment military contractors such as Northrop Grumman, Boeing, and Booz Allen Hamilton.
Even worse, the company’s self righteous grand wizard, Bradford Rand, is the proprietor of none other than RAND LUXURY (www.randluxury.com) a trade show dedicated to wretched excess beyond compare and catering to the very ideas that are ruining the planet.
According to RAND’s own website: “the RAND team is best known for its “Evening of Luxury” events where RAND links up with luxury auto manufacturers to support the launch of their newest and hottest automobiles. In the past year alone, RAND aligned with Lamborghini, Bugatti, Rolls-Royce, Aston Martin, Bentley & Spyker. Adjacent to these fine motorcars, RAND creates a luxury lifestyle experience by inviting complementary brands to showcase their goods and services to the distinguished list of guests that RAND invites to its events.”
The site continues to cite its other luxury brands, such as Marquis Jet, Citation Shares and Lufthansa Private Jet Services. All of which, mind you, are NOT considered eco-friendly or progressively fighting climate change.
According to Rand’s own corporate bio: “Bradford also co-founded New York’s largest fine motor auction & luxury lifestyle expo in 2005; Rand/Workman. The show was one of the region’s most publicized events of its kind; with over $35 million dollars in automotive bids, over $2 million in sales from the wine auction, over 100 luxury sponsors & exhibitors and a showcasing of some of the rarest automobiles in the world.”
“As a true automotive enthusiast, Bradford has owned & restored both Ferraris and Porsches.”
Good job, Bradford. Contribute even more to our oil addiction by putting even more gas-guzzling, wretchedly over-indulgent cars on the road. Hey, as long as your pockets are “green”, who cares, right?
blah blah blah… debate the issue, not the person. Why should potential visitors skip this show? The organiser may not be perfect, but visitors are still likely to learn a great deal about environmental options, no?