Excitement Builds for 8th Annual AltBuild Expo

SANTA MONICA, CA, May 04, 2011 (Press-News.org) As the excitement builds for the 8th Annual AltBuild Expo at the Santa Monica Civic Center, event organizers have put the finishing touches on a number of Expo details, as well as providing a strong rationale for guests—professionals and homeowners alike—to come and experience the event.

• Over 40 speakers will present on topics as diverse as green building, "De"-construction and urban farming. Speakers include Keynoter architect Bill Worthen; water specialist Russell Ackerman; architect Wally Geer; State Senator Fran Pavley; "organic architect" Eric Corey Freed; sustainability expert Howard Choy; Latino Urban Forum co-founder James Rojas; Building Industry Association Director Holly Schroeder; Brenden McEneaney, Green Building Program Advisor to the City of Santa Monica; architect Walter Scott Perry; Lighthouse Capital Group Founder Dennis Fontes, and many more. The full agenda is at:
http://www.altbuildexpo.com/speakers_schedule_new.html

• From developers to manufacturers to advisors, over 100 exhibitors will show, tell and demonstrate green construction, building, design, decor and gardening ideas for professionals and homeowners. Exhibitors include AIA; Architecture for Humanity; GoGreen; Handmade; LA Box Collective; Lifesource; Sierra Club; Toro; USGBC- LA Chapter; Vernare; Waste Management; and more: http://www.altbuildexpo.com/exhibitors.html.

• There's a contest: UGGBC-LA Emerging Professionals 5th Annual Emerging Talent Design Competition 2011 Thinking Outside the Boxes. Teams using shipping containers as building materials competing for a cash prize have created aesthetically pleasing, sustainable designs for a multipurpose structure in Long Beach. The City of Long Beach will consider the winning design for a site at Broadway and Beach Boulevard in Long Beach. The Expo will host a panel featuring contest finalists, host the final judging and announce the winner.


• AltBuild features the ReUse Haus, "not your grandfather's backyard shed." Over the past few years, the perception of the backyard shed has slowly been changing. No longer merely a "mini-barn" for the storage of lawn mowers, tools, pool supplies and broken bicycles, contemporary backyard structures are designed to serve any number of practical (or frivolous) purposes. At AltBuild 2011, The ReUse People (TRP) will feature just such a structure: the "ReUse Haus"—designed with versatility in mind. It can be used as a home office, guest room, playhouse, pottery shack, art studio -- yes, even a storage shed.
http://thereusepeople.org/content/reuse-haus-not-your-grandfathers-backyard-shed

As guests contemplate their agenda, AltBuild wants them to think as much about the WHY of that makes AltBuild SO important, and more so with each passing day. And even if guests don't give a hoot about the environment, the fact is, green building and design saves money in the long run. And in this economy, that's a strong incentive. Need more?

• The twin daily headline news stories of skyrocketing oil prices and the nuclear crisis in Japan remind us using less energy and being more sustainable has never been more important.

• California is leading not just the country, but also the world in sustainability. We're providing a model for the world to follow.

• Between the mandatory green building code (the first ever in the country) that went into effect January 1, 2011 and the large, extensive financial incentive that the new Energy Upgrade California program provides for LA County residents- the practical momentum is building for going green. https://energyupgradeca.org/overview

• This was a wet year, but a drought is ALWAYS around the corner. Development also stresses our water supply so AltBuild shows visitors how to use less.

• AltBuild is a cutting-edge SERIOUS business event that is both well established and grass roots. AltBuild vets every exhibitor and presents potentially the best showcase on the West Coast of every aspect of green building and design - from landscape, composting, urban farming, water conservation on all levels, roofs, insulation, windows, deconstruction, paint, flooring, and alternative energy products such as solar, wind turbines.

• In the educational sessions, all current aspects are discussed by the experts: brand-new rebates and other financial incentives; the new mandatory building code; interior design for sustainability and health; changes in business practices and lifestyles. Not many events offer this kind of cutting-edge accredited continuing education for seasoned professionals but also for motivated consumers.

• Green building and genuine sustainability (not greenwashing) is not just becoming mainstream- its becoming the law. There is simply no better place to find answers in all areas than AltBuild.

So join us Friday May 6 and Saturday May 7 at the Santa Monica Civic Center from 10:00AM-5:00PM daily. AltBuild is FREE to the public.