BRANSON, Mo.
The Branson Convention Center in Missouri recently launched a task force of employees to investigate how the facility can lessen its environmental impact through more green initiatives.
And after several months of research and planning the task force has begun implementing their recommendations with a new sustainability plan.
“SMG has a long history worldwide of conducting business with a focus on being environmentally friendly,” said Branson Convention Center General Manager Marc Mulherin. “When SMG transitioned into the management role with the Convention Center we knew launching this task force would be one of our first priorities.”
Many of the ways the Center is reducing its impact on the environment cannot be seen, like using non-toxic chemicals for cleaning or LED light bulbs. One small change with a big impact is the strategic timing of when the escalators are running and the scheduling of the HVAC.
“Escalators use a tremendous amount of electricity,” Mulherin says. “By turning off the escalators and slightly lowering or raising temperatures when certain areas are not being used we can really reduce our resource consumption in a significant manner.”
Two other cornerstones to the new sustainability plan are composting and recycling. Almost 75 percent of the waste generated by commercial food operations can be composted. Food waste composting reduces waste disposal costs, conserves landfill space, and highlights the commitment the Branson Convention Center is making to being green.
With its new commitment to sustainability the Convention Center now reports it recycles nearly a dozen different materials, from paper to light bulbs. Since September 1, in less than one month, it has already diverted over 900 pounds of glass from landfills.
The Branson Convention Center, managed by SMG, contains 113,725 square feet of space and can accommodate up to 4,000 attendees at its lakeside setting. The first floor features a 47,172 square foot exhibit hall as well as a 22,703 square foot ballroom. Twelve meeting rooms, ranging from 1,000 to 5,500 square feet, make up the second floor.
