The U.S. Green Building Council estimates that the greening of a large convention center can save around a half-million dollars on energy costs alone. The David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh, built in 2003 as the first LEED Gold-certified convention center in the country, can attest to that.
According to Mark J. Leahy, general manager of the center, the facility’s utility bills would be 55 percent higher if the 1.5 million-square-foot building was of a traditional design. Seventy-five percent of the center is lit naturally, which decreases energy use by 35 percent.
There is a water reclamation system within the facility that recycles and filters water to be reused, reducing usage by 55 percent. Other features include a natural ventilation system. Last year the center had 58 event days without using heat or air-conditioning. The center recently started a composting program and diverted 115 tons of waste from landfill in June. Next up is a hydroponics garden for the chef to grow tomatoes and herbs.
“Just by booking us, you are doing a green meeting,” Leahy contends.
Another LEED-certified space, the Oregon Convention Center, undertook a green initiative in early 2000 when it decided to expand the facility.
“Portland’s city officials really wanted to see a public project built green,” says Matt Pizzuti, director of sales and marketing for the center.
Highlights include a rain garden that collects storm water from the facility’s roof and cleans it before reaching the adjacent Willamette River. In addition, Pizzuti estimates the center purchases about 20 percent of its power from wind energy.
The Los Angeles Convention Center is also a leader in energy efficiency, while the Anaheim Convention Center earns recognition for its food and beverage program. Aramark provides its catering services, and adheres to environmental practices, such as only serving sustainable seafood and supporting local agricultural communities. Just over 8 percent of the food served at the center last year was certified organic.
Packaging is biodegradable, such as corn starch cups and potato starch forks and knives, and the center uses bulk condiment containers rather than individual packets.
“If you walk into the hall as an attendee, there is signage up, an explanation for the biodegradable products,” says Jim Tripp, general manager of Aramark at the Anaheim Convention Center. “It’s an education piece … maybe you catch half a dozen new people.”
Expanding Landscape
A number of convention center expansion projects are sporting green labels, including the $600 million expansion of the Phoenix Convention Center, tripling its size to more than 2.5 million total square feet.
The West Building opened in 2006 and the North Building will debut in 2008, both built on existing sites using recycled materials. Plans are for a solar project on the roof of the West Building, and already in place are initiatives such as water-efficient landscaping and environmentally friendly furniture, including the K1 Daylight Chair made from recycled car batteries and seat belts.
The Vancouver Convention and Exhibition Centre is also undergoing a green expansion, tripling its footprint to a gross area of 1.2 million square feet. One of its signature attributes when completed in spring 2009 will be a six-acre living roof housing 400,000 indigenous plants and featuring seawater heating and cooling, on-site water treatment and a fish habitat built into the facility.
The Spokane Convention Center’s new Group Health Exhibit Hall, which opened last year, earned LEED Silver certification.
Also seeking LEED certification is the Dallas Convention Center, which is putting $16 million into greening its infrastructure.
“All that is being paid for by energy savings,” says Thomas Dunlop, project manager of the Dallas Convention Center. “We’re expecting a 10-year payback.”
Changes, which are set to be finished by year’s end, include installation of solar hot water heaters, more energy-efficient lighting throughout the building, and low-flush toilets.
Green Conference Centers
IACC’s Board of Directors recently commissioned a Green Task Force, headed by Chair Leslie Vanderzwet, general manager of conferences at Alberta’s Banff Centre, and Vice Chair T.J. Fimmano of Dolce International.
“We sent out a survey and got an overwhelming response from all conference facilities. They wanted to get on board,” Vanderzwet says.
The survey showed that 66 percent of respondents felt that demonstrating better environmental practices at their property was important to them. Goals of the Green Task Force include educating IACC members and meeting professionals about green programs and providing a resource for members.
