MID-ATLANTIC Sites, Cities, and Services Events DC Leading the way in sustainability
Guiding light The glass- wrapped meeting rooms of the Walter E. Washington Convention Center let in plenty of natural light, while system-controlled shades help keep heating and cooling costs down.
As the nation’s capital, a lot is expected of Washington, D.C. So when planners choose the destination for a convention or meeting, they look to its venues for not only forward- thinking design, spaces, and services, but innovative sustainability programs that help their events leave as small a footprint as pos- sible. In addition to delivering premier event
services and venues across the destination, Events DC — the oficial convention and sports authority for the District of Columbia — manages the 2.3-million-square-foot Wal- ter E. Washington Convention Center. From citywide conventions to corporate meetings, sporting events to festivals, Events DC cre- ates unforgettable events of all kinds. The organization understands that for meeting planners, sustainability is about transpar- ency. The convention center’s recycling pro-
gram, energy management, water eficiency, air quality, and commitment to using green products are all key to ensuring not only that the facility is managed sensibly, but also that the direct impact its events have on the envi- ronment is offset responsibly. Energy usage and waste are two of the
biggest concerns when it comes to eco- friendly meeting venues. The Walter E. Wash- ington Convention Center is always looking for new ways to improve its waste reduction, whether it’s installing mercury-free lighting or repurposing and recycling almost all of its materials. Special care is also taken during renovations. For example, a recent upgrade of the center’s flooring included the instal- lation of Green Label Plus–certified British wool carpet. Partnerships are also key to a well-round- ed sustainability plan. The center often col-
laborates with show organizers to identify potential green strategies, and leftover food from events is donated to DC Central Kitch- en, the area’s largest community kitchen. Many local partnerships have been forged with companies such as Zipcar and Capital Bikeshare to encourage the reduction of emissions and the use of alternative trans- portation, and the city has become the first in the United States to partner with PepsiCo’s Dream Machine recycling initiative, which aims to increase the U.S. beverage-container recycling rate from 34 to 50 percent by 2018. Events DC has installed 35 of PepsiCo’s recy- cling “dream machines” around the conven- tion center to assist with this effort.