The Los Angeles Convention Center, the first convention center in the United States of its size to become LEED-certified, will host the kick-off to the Go Green Expo, a new eco-friendly event from planning to execution.

“We keep striving for ways to be as green as possible, from the energy used during production to the supplies used on the expo floor,” said Bradford Rand, CEO of Go Green Expo. “We want people who come to the Go Green Expo to feel like they’re in the right place.”

Go Green Expo has enlisted Brighter Planet to complete an event-emission evaluation of the inaugural show. Brighter Planet will work to calculate the event’s electricity usage, on-site fuel use, staff travel, event vehicles, waste disposal and attendee travel, and then offset their carbon emissions for a completely carbon neutral show. In addition to offsetting, the expo is taking steps to reduce their emissions by using solar-powered energy on the expo floor. SolaRover, a mobile solar power systems distributor, is to provide solar power to several major areas at the event, eliminating the need for conventional electricity in those areas and reducing the Expo’s footprint. The solar generator will be placed on the show floor to provide noiseless, emissions-free electricity.

Most of the signage and marketing collateral for the shows will be printed on recycled and chlorine free stocks using vegetable and soy based inks. For each of its shows nationwide, Go Green Expo will use 100 percent biodegradable trash bags provided by its title sponsor, Perf Go Green, in an effort to ensure the waste that does go in the trash bin will eventually biodegrade in the landfills. Efforts to maintain a green show are further complemented by the Expo’s location, the LEED-Certified Los Angeles Convention Center. The facility strives to have zero waste, high indoor air quality and low overall impact. 

The Go Green Expo National Tour will also show the latest in green design and function, supported by Metropolitan Exposition Services, such as: recycled flooring, 100 percent compostable and biodegradable table top coverings, recycled material booth ID signs, biodegradable banner material, soy and water based inks and a waste management program that takes environmental and social ramifications into account by utilizing local donation programs.  

The tour kicks off Jan. 23-25, 2009 in Los Angeles and will make stops in New York, Atlanta, and Philadelphia through June. For more information, visitwww.GoGreenExpo.com.