Atlanta’s Georgia World Congress Center Becomes World’s Largest LEED-certified Convention Center

November 8, 2014

The Georgia World Congress Center recently was awarded LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Silver certification by the U.S. Green Building Council.

The GWCC is now the world’s largest LEED-certified convention center. With 3.9 million square feet, the GWCC is also the 14th largest LEED-certified building in the world.

“We could not be happier to receive this certification,” said Frank Poe, executive director of the Georgia World Congress Center Authority (GWCCA), the State Authority that governs the GWCC, Georgia Dome, Centennial Olympic Park and manages the Savannah International Trade and Convention Center.

He added, “Our staff has worked diligently to green our event practices, reduce our environmental impact, and preserve our facilities for future generations. This recognition solidifies our leadership role in our industry and demonstrates our commitment to the community.”

The facility, located in downtown Atlanta, first opened in 1976, with a total of 750,000 sq. ft. The fourth and final phase of construction of the building was completed in 2002 bringing the total square footage up to the current 3.9 million, including 1.4 million of exhibit space.

Staff of the GWCCA created an internal “sustainability committee” to explore sustainable options for the facility in 2005. Educating staff and implementing a paper recycling program were two of the team’s initial focuses.

In 2010, the convention center hired Tim Trefzer as the facility’s first Sustainability Coordinator. With a position solely focused on sustainability, the center has been able to make substantial changes including waste diversion and energy conservation.

“Tim Trefzer and the GWCCA Sustainability Committee did an outstanding job securing this award.  We are very proud to be LEED Silver certified, this is a monumental achievement for the GWCC and the convention industry as a whole,” said Mark Zimmerman, general manager of the Georgia World Congress Center.

“Convention centers have difficulty comparing operational efficiencies because of the unique nature of the industry, whether it is event frequency, size, or type,” Trefzer said, who also is a LEED Accredited Professional. “The LEED rating system provides a baseline for sustainable operations and maintenance and we at GWCC are ecstatic to be the largest building of our type in the world to meet these stringent environmental criteria.”

In FY14, the GWCC diverted more than 275 tons of single-stream recyclables, 119 tons of organics for composting, donated 58-plus tons of food to local organizations, baled over 27 tons of cardboard and diverted a total of 602 tons of material from landfills.

The GWCC is a sponsor of the Green Meetings Industry Council (Atlanta Branch), a participant in the Atlanta Better Buildings Challenge and a member of the US Green Building Council.

GWCC is approximately 27 percent more energy efficient than an average building of similar size and characteristics.

With its central urban location, recent installation of an electric vehicle charging station, and employee incentives, 47 percent of regular employees have reduced commutes to the building and therefore limit the transportation-related air quality issues by using mass transit, car or vanpooling, compressed work weeks, and telecommuting.

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.