San Diego Convention Center Achieves LEED Gold Certification
April 27, 2017
The San Diego Convention Center has taken its environmental ambitions to the next level by achieving Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification.
As one of the most popular and well-respected green building certification programs used worldwide, LEED is known as the foremost rating program for the design, construction, operation and maintenance of green buildings, homes and communities.
During a public celebration to mark this important milestone for the facility, San Diego Mayor Faulconer praised the venue’s efforts in achieving the benchmark environmental standards developed by the U.S. Green Building Council.
“San Diego is one of the greenest cities in the nation, so it makes sense that we are home to one of the greenest convention centers as well,” Mayor Faulconer said.
He continued, “As we move forward with plans to modernize and expand the San Diego Convention Center, this news shows how important it is to continually invest in this economic engine. With the support of organizations like the San Diego Convention Center, we can achieve the goals in our landmark Climate Action Plan to cut our city’s carbon footprint in half by 2035 and build a better future for all San Diegans.”
After achieving LEED Silver certification in 2011, the facility has been working overtime to reach the Gold standard and improve a sustainability business model that began when the venue first opened its doors in 1989.
In fact, long before “going green” was in fashion, the SDCC was the first facility to install recycling bins in 1990, according to SDCC officials.
The following sustainability achievements helped SDCC graduate from Silver to Gold certification:
• In 2016, the facility diverted a record 79 percent of materials, or 3,162 tons, an amount almost equal to the weight of eight Boeing 747s.
• Replaced old fluorescent lights with 11,650 energy-efficient LEDs in the exhibit hall, meetings rooms and offices.
• Ninety-eight percent of all restrooms have been renovated to low-flow water usage, helping reduce indoor water usage by 32 percent.
• The facility recycles 100 percent of all cardboard with the help of two cardboard balers.
• During Comic-Con alone, the SDCC recycled 50 tons of cardboard. That’s more than eight times the weight of the Gaslamp Quarter Archway sign that hangs above Fifth Avenue.
• All food scraps are all composted and reused by local gardeners.
• Untouched food that hasn’t spoiled gets donated to the San Diego Rescue Mission.
• Ninety-one tons of edible food leftover from events was donated last year, which helped feed 145,000 hungry San Diegans.
In addition, Centerplate, the facility’s in-house food and beverage team, has a sustainable food purchasing plan. This involves purchasing produce, vegetables and protein such as locally-caught fish, from within a 100-mile radius whenever possible.
Local farmers say this partnership is crucial to their business and helps boost the local economy.
“We at Moceri Produce believe that the convention center is a prime example of a way that local institutions and businesses can support local farms,” said Robert Farmer, purchasing agent, salesperson and program Manager for Morceri Farms, which helps supply the SDCC.
He continued, “By supporting the local economy with food purchases, this helps regional farmers practice their trade. And it enables the stewardship of the land, water, labor and environmental resources in order to create healthy, local food options for the guests the convention center.”
Being green also helps the convention center to continues to attract customers and boost the local economy.
In 2017, the estimated regional impact of San Diego’s conventions and meetings business is projected to be $1.1 billion.
“Sustainability is part of our DNA – it’s who we are,” said Clifford “Rip” Rippetoe, president and CEO of the SDCC.
He continued, “When meeting planners are choosing a destination, this matters. We know our customers want the San Diego experience and now they will know we are sustainability champions, as well.”
The SDCC also boasts an Energy Star Rating of 84, which demonstrates its performance to be more efficient than 84 percent of all convention centers.
In an effort to share best environmental business practices, the SDCC has joined the International Association of Venue Manager’s brand new Energy Management Council, which helps set policy for green meetings around the world.
“Buildings are a prime example of how human systems integrate with natural systems,” said Rick Fedrizzi, CEO and founding chair of the USGBC.
He added, “The San Diego Convention Center makes an immediate, positive impact on our planet, which will tremendously benefit us all.”
Want more news about the greening of the trade show industry? Make sure to subscribe to our bimonthly Green News e-newsletter here.
Partner Voices
Less than six months ago, Lisa Messina joined the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) as the first-ever chief sales officer after leading the sales team at Caesars Entertainment. A 12-year Las Vegas resident, Messina is a graduate of Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration and serves on MPI International’s board of directors.
TSNN had a chance to catch up with this dynamic leader and talk to her about her vision for the new role, current shifts in the trade show industry, creating more diversity and equity within the organization, and advice to future female leaders.
Lisa Messina, Chief Sales Officer, LVCVA
With Las Vegas becoming The Greatest Arena on EarthTM, what are some of the things you’re most excited about in your role?
Our team was at The Big Game’s handoff ceremony earlier this month, and I couldn’t help but think, “We’re going to crush it next year!”
These high-profile events and venues not only drive excitement, but also provide unmatched opportunities for event planners. Allegiant Stadium hosts events from 10 to 65,000 people and offers on-field experiences. Formula 1 Grand Prix will take place in Las Vegas in November, after the year-one F1 race, the four-story paddock building will be available for buyouts and will also offer daily ride-along experiences that will be available for groups. And, of course, the MSG Sphere officially announced that it will open in September, ahead of schedule, with a U2 residency. It’s going to be the most technologically advanced venue as far as lighting, sound, feel, and even scent, and it will be available for buyouts and next-level sponsorships inside and outside. There’s no ceiling to what you can do when you’re doing events in Las Vegas.
Allegiant Stadium
As the trade show and convention business returns to the pre-pandemic levels, what shifts are you noticing and how do you think they will impact the industry going forward?
Our trade show organizers are very focused on driving customer experience. Most of our organizers are reporting stronger exhibitor numbers and increased numbers of new exhibitors, with trade shows proving to be almost or above 2019 levels. Now our organizers are really doubling down on driving attendance and focusing on the data to provide that individualized, customized experience to help attendees meet their goals and get the best value. Some companies continue to be cautiously optimistic with their organizational spend when it comes to sending attendees, but I think it will continue to improve. As the U.S. Travel Association makes more progress on the U.S. visa situation, we also expect a growing influx of international attendees.
What are some innovative ways the LVCVA helps trade show and convention organizers deliver the most value for their events?
We focus on customer experience in the same way that trade show organizers are thinking about it. We got rave reviews with the West Hall Expansion of the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC), so over the next two years, we will be renovating the North and the Central halls, which will include not just the same look and feel, but also the digital experiences that can be leveraged for branding and sponsorship opportunities.
Vegas Loop, the underground transportation system designed by The Boring Company, is also a way we have enhanced the customer experience. Vegas Loop at the LVCC has transported more than 900,000 convention attendees across the campus since its 2021 launch. Last summer, Resorts World and The Boring Company opened the first resort stop at the Resorts World Las Vegas , with plans to expand throughout the resort corridor, including downtown Las Vegas, Allegiant Stadium and Harry Reid International Airport. The LVCVA also purchased the Las Vegas Monorail in 2020, the 3.9-mile-long elevated transportation system that connects eight resorts directly to the convention center campus. This is the only rail system in the world that integrates fares directly into show badges and registration. For trade show organizers, these transportation options mean saving time, money and effort when it comes to moving groups from the hotels to LVCC and around the city.
Also, the more we can focus on building the infrastructure around the convention center, the more it supports the customer experience and ultimately supports our trade show organizers. Scheduled to debut in Q4, Fontainebleau Las Vegas will offer 3,700 hotel rooms and 550,000 square feet of meeting and convention space next to LVCC.
What are some of the plans for advancing DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) within your organization?
We’re currently partnering with instead of working with a leading consulting firm, to lay the foundation and create a solid DEI plan and be the leader when it comes to DEI initiatives. The heart of that journey with the consulting firm is also talking to our customers about their strategic approaches to DEI and driving innovation in this space.
What are your favorite ways to recharge?
My husband and I have an RV and we’re outdoorsy people. So, while we have over 150,000 world-class hotel rooms and renowned restaurants right outside our doorstep, one of my favorite things to do is get out to Red Rock Canyon, the Valley of Fire, and Lake Mead. Five of the top national parks are within a three-hour drive from Las Vegas, so there’s a lot you can do. We love balancing the energy of Las Vegas with nature, and we’re noticing that a lot of attendees add activities off the Strip when they come here.
Valley of Fire
What advice would you give to women following leadership paths in destination marketing?
I think it’s about being laser-focused on what you want to accomplish; building a team around you that lifts you and helps you achieve your goals; and being humble and realizing that you do it as a group. No one gets this done alone. Thankfully, there are a lot of women in leadership in this organization, in our customers’ organizations, and in this city that we can be really proud of. We’re a formidable force that is making things happen.
This interview has been edited and condensed.
This article is exclusively sponsored by the Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority. For more information, visit HERE.
Add new comment