In 1995, Ace of Base released “It’s a Beautiful Life.” A decade later, Gwen Stefani released “Luxurious.” Most recently, in 2007, Kanye West topped the charts with “Good Life.”

Although these songs fall into different genres of music, they focus on a similar theme: living a life full of beauty, luxury, and the highest upgrade available.

In New York, a beautiful life is not an option but simply a must. After all, they city is home to the Waldorf Astoria, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and Park Avenue penthouses that can rival any European chateau in both luxury and class. From the finest cashmere to the most expensive champagne, these items are symbols of sophisticated urban living.

If you don’t have it, you work for it; and if you’ve got it, you flaunt it by taking a town car – not the subway.

And with Whole Foods Markets and organic shops popping up all over the city, general well-being is a present concern in the consciousness of many New Yorkers. In fact, the Green Movement phenomenon currently taking place would make Al Gore beam with all-natural joy.

In short, it’s all about elegance, beauty, and health. Three core concepts and ideals are strongly upheld by New York society that also double as the theme of the inaugural American Lifestyle Expo, scheduled to take place in China this November. Although the venue is many time zones away, the launch pad and major headquarters for this grand scale initiative is right here in New York.

While many Expo shows happen throughout the year all over the United States and all over the world, this one in particular is much different. A large portion of our green dollar is sitting in foreign countries and, with this show, American companies have an opportunity bring some coin back home.

George Donohue is the current president of GMAC Real Estate International Properties Group that is based in New York City. A prominent figure in business and commercial real estate, he is also the CEO of GMAChina, the organization coordinating the American Lifestyles Expo.

“This Expo will provide American companies with enormous exposure,” he said. “Thousands of Chinese are extremely eager to buy American products and services. This Expo capitalizes on this frenzy.”

With consumerism in China at an all-time high, they are geared up to shop shop shop. On the home front, this chance to rake in large profits will no doubt send businesses and companies in the United States racing to secure a spot in the show (www.amlexpo.com).

After all, it is no secret that American culture has long permeated the globe.

By showcasing and marketing American brands to international consumers, we might just be able to give the economy a nudge in the right direction.

Perhaps we won’t be freezing this winter after all.

But this summer, while it’s still warm (at least in the North East, anyway), the events to keep an eye on are the ones that will be thrown by GMAChina. Despite the fact that the actual American Lifestyles Expo is months away, New York will be buzzing from now through Labor Day with pre-show talk, preparation, and events. Generally invite-only, the crème de la crème of Manhattan society and the high profile business set comprise the guest lists for these upscale summer events.

Sipping a chilled cocktail at one of these exclusive affairs certainly is one way to beat the heat with class.

So what kinds of companies might be prime candidates for Expo participation? Think Cartier, Mercedes-Benz and Ralph Lauren: high-end, state-of-the-art staples of American luxury. Now, with this new major initiative on the horizon, foreign countries (in this case China) will be able to get a piece of the American lifestyle pie.

It looks like the excitement set off by the Olympics won’t be over for them anytime soon.