The U.S. Green Building Council New Jersey Chapter (USGBC NJ) celebrates its 10th anniversary with its gala and awards dinner on October 11 at the Revel Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City. The event’s location proves to be a star in its own right: The visually striking site was built according to high sustainability and green building standards.

The USGBC NJ’s annual gala is the networking event of the year for green building and sustainability professionals in the tri-state area. This year’s keynote speaker is visionary environmental business leader and advocate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Kennedy is an inspiring voice in the field of environmental advocacy. Kennedy was named one of Time magazine's “Heroes for the Planet” for his success in helping Riverkeeper, New York’s clean water advocate, lead the fight to restore the Hudson River.

Each year USGBC NJ recognizes and presents Gala Awards to companies and individuals who have demonstrated outstanding achievement in green building and sustainability. There are five award categories: community; green team; green ground breaking; municipal/public-private sector; and student.

“For 10 years USGBC NJ has served as the meeting ground and center for best practices for sustainability and green building industries for businesses, schools, healthcare and public sector organizations,” says Florence Block, USGBC NJ Executive Director. “This event celebrates the people, projects and organizations that are transforming New Jersey into a more sustainable state impacting economics, health and the environment.” As New Jersey’s green building advocate and education resource, USGBC NJ provides more than 150 educational programs, events, green building tours, research studies, and advocacy initiatives each year through its three-branch, statewide network. Currently, USGBC NJ is providing grant-funded green building education to New Jersey’s veterans and the unemployed.

To register, visit USGBCNJ.org/events. For more information about the gala, visit the chapter’s Facebook page: Facebook.com/usgbcnjgala2012. Sponsorship opportunities are also available, including spots in the Ad Journal.