Top 10 Green Locations for Your Next Trade Show

August 9, 2014

Shane Shirley

Shane Shirley is CMO for SBS Brands, a 90-year-old global brand leader focused on creating digital and print business solutions that offers traditional and eco-friendly customized promotional products to accelerate trade show marketing.

A substantial contributing factor to the greenness of your trade show is the venue itself. Many convention centers are making huge strides to streamline recycling and reduce water consumption while an increased emphasis on green construction processes allows a complex to be green throughout. There are a lot of factors that will help you zero in on the ideal venue for your event, but consider how green a venue itself is before booking.

Here are 10 of the top green locations for your next trade show in no particular order.

1.      Raleigh’s Convention Center boasts Silver LEED Certification along with an optimized HVAC system and water-reduction measures.

2.      The Los Angeles Convention Center holds a certification in Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design for Existing Buildings (LEED-EB) from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).

3.      In Pittsburgh the David L. Lawrence Convention Center features Gold LEED Certification in new construction and Platinum LEED Certification in existing building.

4.      The Orange County Convention Center is located in Orlando and features LEED and ISO Certification, as well as APEX ASTM (APEX) Certification.

5.      At the Oregon Convention Center the building features an impressive Platinum LEED Certification and the facility offers extensive waste recycling and recovery programs.

6.      The Colorado Convention Center has achieved ASTM Environmentally Sustainable Meetings, Events, Trade Shows and Conferences (E2774-11) Certification while also utilizing alternate sources of energy and reducing waste and water consumption.

7.      The Phoenix Convention Center boasts a comprehensive recycling program, water and energy efficiency and a Silver LEED Certification.

8.      In Sacramento the Convention Center Complex is certified by the Sacramento Municipal Utilities District (SMUD) in their Green Energy program and they use Green-e certified renewable energy.

9.      The Minneapolis Convention Center was awarded level one certification for the ASTM standard pertaining to the evaluation and selection of venues for environmentally sustainable events. They are also are rapidly working towards goals to reduce energy and water consumption.

10.  The Austin Convention Center has achieved Gold LEED Certification and is an active Energy Star Partner with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy.

Did I Miss Any?

A core belief common to all of these venues is the social responsibility to care for their local communities and our shared planet, but each of these convention centers also finds other ways to provide a modern venue that lives up to the needs and standards exhibitors expect while also striving to implement environmental practices.

Location is a major determining factor when it comes to choosing the venue for your next tradeshow. You want a facility that is centrally located and easy for folks who are traveling that also has plenty of nearby hotels, restaurants and easy access to public transportation. 

But dig a little deeper, and look into the environmental practices and certifications to find the best green location for your trade show.

I am interested to know if you have any venues that should be added to the list?

Add new comment

Partner Voices
Here at Mandalay Bay, venues are inviting and innovative. As one of the most iconic names on the Las Vegas Strip, the Mandalay Bay Convention Center has recently undergone an exciting upgrade. This renowned venue now offers everything your business needs, with a refreshed convention space designed to inspire productivity and creativity, as well as an impressive selection of world-class restaurants and amenities. If you're searching for a venue that is both inviting and innovative, Mandalay Bay is the place to be. Mandalay Bay is committed to investing in a new wave of enhancements, not only in the convention space but also throughout the entire resort. With new restaurant openings and remodels, spectacular entertainment, and updated rooms, Mandalay Bay promises to deliver new and exciting experiences to its guests until 2024. To create a truly effective conference venue, Mandalay Bay has carefully considered what businesses require. The right technology, capacity, and inspiration are essential to take ideas to the next level. The refreshed Mandalay Bay Convention Center has been designed with your business in mind. Every room is equipped with newly-upgraded technology, enhancing our ability to support bandwidth demand and overall data capabilities. Additionally, the addition of 10 new digital walls provides bigger and more dynamic ways to display customized content messages. Mandalay Bay offers world-class conference space and service. The venue options range from ballrooms to ample pre-function spaces, catering to teams of any size while accommodating multiple large groups simultaneously. Our certified planners work collaboratively with you to understand your specific event requirements, anticipating your business needs and offering the best-fit solutions. In addition to providing exceptional conference facilities, Mandalay Bay is also dedicated to sustainability. We strive to give our guests an unforgettable experience while minimizing our impact on the environment. As part of our sustainable energy efforts, you'll find refillable water stations throughout the property, eliminating the need for single-use plastic bottles and reducing unnecessary plastic usage. Mandalay Bay is proud to offer an upgraded and enhanced experience for businesses seeking a venue that combines innovation, convenience, and sustainability. Whether you're hosting a conference, meeting, or other business event, Mandalay Bay's refreshed convention space, world-class service, and commitment to sustainability make it the ideal choice. Come and discover the new wave of experiences awaiting you at Mandalay Bay on the Las Vegas Strip. Wherever your organization is going, getting there starts with being here.