The Urban Green Gala

Join us on October 20 at the Lighthouse at Chelsea Piers for the Urban Green Gala! The Gala is a special night of celebration for the sustainable building community and serves as our largest fundraiser of the year, powering our critical research, policy and education.

The Gala will kick off Greenbuild in New York City and bring together sustainability professionals worldwide for a lively evening of connection and conversation. Come prepared to exchange business cards and enjoy cocktails, dinner and dessert!

We’re excited to announce that our Gala honoree is Rick Cook, Founding Partner and Design Director of COOKFOX Architects. We’re also proud to present the Héctor Figueroa award to Linda G. Nelson, the Director of the 32BJ Training Fund.

We hope you’ll join us on October 20 as we celebrate Rick and Linda, and look ahead to the future of sustainable building in New York.

Program schedule

Cocktail reception & dinner | 6:00 – 7:45 p.m.

Seated presentation & dessert | 8:00 – 8:30 p.m.

Networking & open bar | 8:30 – 10:00 p.m.

Rick Cook, FAIA

This year, we’re thrilled to recognize Rick Cook, founding partner of COOKFOX Architects. For more than four decades, Rick has built a reputation for groundbreaking and award-winning design that places sustainability and biophilic design at the center. His portfolio spans commercial, residential, educational, and cultural projects, with a particular focus on adaptive reuse and the revitalization of urban infrastructure. Under his leadership, COOKFOX achieved some of the city’s most renowned buildings, including One Bryant Park, St. John’s Terminal, the Marymount School and the Betances Residence. These projects demonstrate that high-performance buildings can also be beautiful and restorative for the people who inhabit them.

Linda G. Nelson

We are proud to present the Héctor Figueroa Leadership Award to Linda G. Nelson.
With over 30 years of experience, Linda oversees the administration of the 32BJ Training Fund, which trains over 25,000 union members each year and offers more than 260 different course titles—from English as a Second Language to Green Buildings. In addition to managing the nearly 40 green courses offered by the Fund, Linda is a primary driver of the Sustainability Committee at 32BJ which includes producing Climate Week and Earth Day events.

Tickets and sponsorship

To purchase tickets, please contact Casey Cady at cc@urbangreencouncil.org or
(212) 514-9385 ext. 305

Our Gala—which sells out every year—is our most highly anticipated event. Don’t wait to secure your tickets and sponsorship for a terrific night of celebration that helps us advance our mission to decarbonize buildings for healthy and resilient communities.

Putting your brand behind Urban Green’s critical decarbonization efforts is the perfect way to demonstrate your commitment to sustainable building. We provide several levels of sponsorship that come with their own unique opportunities to showcase your brand:

Chairman – $29,000 (Tax deductible amt: $27,350)

Premier Dessert Table for 10; Prominent placement in all Gala promotional materials; Full-page ad in Gala program

Benefactor – $18,000 (Tax deductible amt: $16,350)

Preferred Dessert Table for 10; Prominent placement in all Gala promotional materials; Half-page ad in Gala program

Host – $12,000 (Tax deductible amt: $10,350)

Select Dessert Table for 10; Prominent placement in all Gala promotional materials; Half-page ad in Gala program

Patron – $9,000 (Tax deductible amt: $8,340)

Four tickets with preferred seating; Prominent placement in all Gala promotional materials

Supporter – $3,500 (Tax deductible amt: $3,170)

Two tickets with reserved seating; Listing in all Gala promotional materials

Friend – $1,800 (Tax deductible amt: $1,635)

Single ticket

Additional Sponsorship Activations

This year, we’re offering additional sponsorship activations and opportunities. Download our guide to 2026 Gala tickets and sponsorships for more information and photos.

Download 2026 Gala Tickets and Sponsorship Guide