Nearly 30 sustainability focused trade shows and events will come to the Oregon Convention Center (OCC) between now and 2010, in large part due to the OCC’s concentrated efforts to embrace sustainability in its own practices. The events, which include such groups as the National Recycling Coalition, the National Environmental Education Association and the Urban land Institute, represent better than $4 million in revenue for the facility and about four times that in impact on the local economy. "Portland as a destination is benefitting from the leadership and years of work in developing a citywide infrastructure committed to sustainable practices", says Mike Smith, VP of Convention Sales with Travel Portland.
OCC Director of Sales and Marketing Matt Pizzuti attributes the facility’s success in attracting green-oriented business to its own work in that area. In 2003, the OCC became the first convention center in the country to achieve LEED-EB® certification for sustainable facilities from the US Green Building Council (USGBC) and later this year it expects to become the first to be recertified with a Gold Level certification for Existing Buildings from USGBC. Last year, the facility also earned a Salmon Safe® certification, primarily for its salmon-friendly practices having to do with water use and storm water management. Later this summer, the OCC intends to further these efforts with the addition of a Sustainability Coordinator, a full time staff position charged with serving as a liaison between clients and the internal event teams to ensure all events held at the facility maximize waste diversion and other sustainable initiatives. The Sustainability Coordinator will also work with OCC staff on an ongoing basis to ensure the facility and its internal teams remain at the cutting edge of the green movement.
"As far as I know, we are the only convention center in the country to be adding a permanent full time staff person solely devoted to sustainability," Pizzuti said. "That shows an ongoing commitment on our part and it will be a huge boost to our clients." He said the Sustainability Coordinator position will be filled in July or early August.
As for the jump in green-focused shows, he said, "We’re pleased with that level of success, but that doesn’t mean we’re booked solid -- we certainly have capacity and are ready, willing and able to take on more!"
