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The Albany Vegetarian Network (AVN) is pleased to present the 5th annual New York Capital Region Vegetarian Expo, a day-long event geared toward sharing the benefits of a plant-based diet and cruelty-free lifestyles with the general public. This year’s Expo will take place at the Empire State Convention Center from 10am to 6pm on Saturday, October 1st, 2011.
“It is my deep desire to save lives, human and non-human, to bring wellness into the world, and to protect the environment we live in,” says AVN president LisaMarie Tersigni. This year’s Expo will include vegetarian and vegan vendors, nationally-known speakers, animal advocacy groups, and a variety of vegetarian and vegan foods.
The Albany Vegetarian Network was founded six years ago by a group of friends who had a passion to make a difference in the world. Their compassion for animals, combined with their desire to protect the environment and bring light to the health benefits of eating a plant-based diet, pushed them forward to develop the first annual New York Capital Region Vegetarian Expo. Since the birth of the idea to host an educational expo six years ago through today, the core team of friends have worked diligently, expending their time and energy to bring forth dynamic, annual Expos.
This October nationally renowned speakers will educate the public in areas of nutrition, heart disease, cancer, environmental protections and animal advocacy. A myriad of vendors will be presenting information and products that will help the public to become familiar with vegetarian and vegan living and provide information and insight into the realities of factory farming and its effects on the health of humanity and the planet. Attendees of the Expo will have the opportunity to experience all of this and more in a fun and engaging environment right in the heart of Albany. Admission to the Expo is free, although a $5 donation is suggested.
“Great cuisine, stylish fashion, [and] healthy living, all without sacrificing another living creature’s well-being, or creating detrimental effects to our environment. Why would people choose any other way to live?” says Tersigni.
Also featured will be the Expo’s 2nd annual vegan fashion show with a theme of “The New Face of Vegetarianism.” Models of all ages will participate to showcase cruelty-free fashions and plant-based health. Clothing and accessories featured in the fashion show will be provided by Herbivore Clothing, Portland, OR; Cow Jones Industrial Boutique in Chatham, NY; and Mission Savvy in Charleston, WV, with hair and makeup by Pure Elements Salon in Guilderland, NY.
“ The New Face of Vegetarianism’ is a theme I derived to show the general public, this is what it looks like and feels like when you eat a vegetarian or vegan diet,” says Tersigni. “To counter the antiquated thoughts that to eat such a diet means becoming thin, sickly, pale and having to sacrifice fashion. On the contrary, those that eat plant-based diets are far ahead of the curve when it comes to eating healthy, staying healthy and they sacrifice little when it comes to modern, fashionable clothing options.”
Tersigni took up the position of President of the Albany Vegetarian Network in January 2011 with the desire of expanding the number of volunteers, increasing membership, offering more fundraising events, and providing name recognition with the goal of reaching more people and saving more lives. The team of dedicated volunteers and membership has grown since that time and with the help of those volunteers, members and the core team, the AVN has made great strides in a few short months.
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