by Jim Cavan

Kittery’s Haley Art Gallery played host to the first ever Green Alliance “Green Expo” this past weekend with over twenty local sustainable vendors and non-profits in an outdoor opportunity for residents to meet the environmental trailblazers up close and personal. The event was organized by the Green Alliance, a local green business union that certifies and promotes sustainable entrepreneurs in the area. The Expo had booths showcasing everything from energy-efficient solar panels to fair-trade clothing and accessories to organic tree-care interspersed with non-profits such as the Sierra Club, Cool Communities and Seacoast Buy Local. The event offered visitors an intimate afternoon with Seacoast-based green and sustainable businesses and advocacy organizations working to raise awareness around environmental issues.

Organized by Green Alliance founder and Project Director Sarah Brown as a forum for promoting sustainability in the community, the expo offered the Seacoast community a sneak peak at the green businesses of the future. Numerous visitors ended up becoming individual members in the GA, which charges $35 a year for an individual membership and a “Green Card” which gives the holder access to substantial discounts at 53 local green businesses. Overall Brown, who began the Green Alliance just over a year ago, thought that the turnout boded well for the GA going forward. “This was a chance for folks to actually meet with and talk to these green business owners and to see a sampling of what the Green Alliance has to offer. We have generated a buzz around the greening of local commerce and folks want to see what its all about. Lots have been introduced to us through our newsletter on business and the environment, which now has 10,000 subscribers, or have gone to our website at www.greenalliance.biz, but we wanted to give them a chance to meet the GA and our partnering businesses face-to-face,” said Brown.

On what turned out to be a beautiful Saturday afternoon, the Green Expo saw a promising turnout, even though it was competing with Market Square day across the river in Portsmouth. However, Brown was quick to paint the event as a trial run of sorts. “It was tough to compete with Market Sq. Day and we didn’t want to ask people to choose, so we promoted the event as a “second” and more laid-back stop after the hustle and bustle of MSD and a lot of people did just that, hit MSD and then came by for a 100% green and local event.”

The expo was hosted by Haley Farm Gallery owner Jackie Abramian, who provided the space to vendors free of charge. A steadfast advocate for local green commerce, Abramian thought the quaint, picturesque space a perfect fit for the event. “I approached the GA with an offer of bringing green business and green art together. We want to be a part of the green movement and bring those two very powerful forces together – green art and commerce and have them partner in a way that will benefit both.”

Boasting a membership of 53 local, sustainable businesses, the Green Alliance has in the last year exploded into an increasingly recognizable force for green issues throughout the seacoast. Last week they launched a brand new website, which provides visitors with information ranging from a local green events calendar to a regularly updated blog to extensive information on each of its member businesses. The Green Alliance hopes to open up its Expo next year to any green business, GA member or not, expanding its reach beyond participating businesses and casting a net that will hopefully attract all businesses with the business success of more sustainable goods and services.

To learn more about the Green Alliance visit www.greenalliance.biz. To learn more about Haley Gallery visit www.haleygallery.com