Page 38 - Visit Baltimore - 2018 Meeting and Event Planner

MEET BALTIMORE
CONVENTION CENTER Goes Green
THE BALTIMORE CONVENTION CENTER has “gone green” on a number of fronts, including waste management, energy conservation, environmental design, air quality, responsible procurement processes, continuing education and involvement with the community.
Waste Management:
Reduction & Diversion
The Center uses single-stream recycling throughout the building and conducts annual waste audits to ensure it continues to meet or exceed its target waste diversion rate. In 2016, the Mid- Atlantic Nursery Trade Show (MANTS) was able to reach a waste diversion rate of 84.21 percent and the HomeBrew Con event achieved a 46.6 percent diversion.
Energy Conservation
Upgrades to the facility’s lighting, heating and water systems have produced a 20 percent reduction in energy usage.
Environmental Design
Water consumption reduction
is implemented through a highly efficient irrigation system consisting of timed sprinklers, drip irrigation
and sensors, as well as water-saving devices for toilets, urinals and faucets
in all restrooms. The Center’s outdoor terrace is also equipped with a drought- resistant vegetative roofing pavilion and rainwater recapturing system.
Air Quality
An energy management system ensures air quality performance throughout the facility.
Responsible Procurement
Processes
The Center prioritizes sustainable purchasing systems and supports buying local whenever possible. Eighty percent of the cleaning products used at the
Center are certified as “Green Seal” or “Designed for the Environment.” Recycled, recyclable and biodegradable products are utilized in facility operations.
Continuing Education
Green Action Teams ensure each department is doing what is necessary to contribute to and grow the Center’s sustainability programs.
Involvement with
the Community
The Center furthers its green initiatives through volunteerism, food donations, reuse of composting materials and involvement in other programs that reinforce stewardship.
Green Baltimore
GREEN INITIATIVES
Visit Baltimore, the Maryland Office of Tourism Development, the Baltimore Convention Center (BCC) and hospitality businesses are working closely with meeting professionals to provide greener experiences. From the BCC to the Maryland Green Travel program, a number of initiatives are in place to help offset our carbon footprint and foster green meetings.
The BCC is committed to building, implementing and expanding on an innovative environmental management system
that sustains the needs of the Center’s
daily operations; meets the standards of Baltimore’s sustainability efforts; and serves
to educate its staff, industry partners and clientele on the importance of the reduction of their carbon footprint.
VISIT BALTIMORE ACHIEVES APEX CERTIFICATION
Visit Baltimore achieved Level One certification to the ASTM Standard pertaining to the Evaluation and Selection of Destinations for Environmentally Sustainable Meetings, Events, Trade Shows and Conferences (APEX/ASTM) — a new international sustainability standard.
This destination standard is one of nine introduced by the meetings, conventions, exhibitions and events industry to provide event
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