EIC and OVG Unveil Ambitious Venue Sustainability Partnership
May 2, 2024
The Events Industry Council (EIC) has formed a strategic sustainability partnership with venue development, hospitality services and solutions provider Oak View Group (OVG) to certify its entire convention portfolio of more than 60 venues in cities like Chicago, Dallas and Miami.
OVG’s convention center portfolio will be certified in accordance with the EIC Sustainable Event Standards, a collection of eight specific standards that assess events and industry suppliers on a wide range of sustainability criteria that support environmental and social responsibility.
The partnership — the largest of its kind in scale, according to OVG officials — will allow the OVG convention center portfolio to deepen its commitment to sustainability and better support the green meeting and exhibition goals of its clients and partners.
“Oak View Group is excited about this partnership because it provides real resources and support to our convention centers,” said Greg O’Dell, OVG president of venue management. “These include opportunities to be recognized for their individual sustainability efforts and professional education to equip convention centers with sustainability support.”
To be certified under the Venue standard, the convention centers’ compliance with the EIC Sustainable Event Standards will be evaluated by EIC’s independent third-party auditing partner, Alliance for Audited Media, in the following areas:
- Organizational Management
- Marketing, Communication and Engagement
- Climate Action
- Water Management
- Materials and circularity
- Supply Chain Management
- Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
- Accessibility
- Social Impact
How it will work
Taking place in a phased approach, the EIC certification program will begin implementation at OVG-managed venues, including the Miami Beach Convention Center (MBCC), Chicago’s McCormick Place, the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas, Texas and the Palm Beach County Convention Center in West Palm Beach, Fla. The process is already underway at the MBCC, with McCormick Place, which is already EIC-certified at the Bronze level, soon to follow, according to OVG officials.
This process will work in concert with the GOAL (Green Operations & Advanced Leadership) platform, a partnership between OVG, Fenway Sports Group, Atlanta Hawks & State Farm Arena and green building architect Jason F. McLennan designed to provide a comprehensive roadmap, tracking tools, case studies, collaborative workshops and best practices to help sports and entertainment venues operate more sustainably, according to EIC officials.
By supporting continuous data collection and analysis across the convention center portfolio, GOAL will play a key role in helping properties reach their sustainability objectives through best practice sharing, measurement tools and onsite consulting, according to OVG officials.
Why it matters
“Congratulations to the Events Industry Council and the Oak View Group,” said Richard Murphy, president of Alliance for Audited Media. “This partnership will accelerate innovation and growth for the entire industry. We applaud the Oak View Group management team for taking a leadership role on sustainable venues, embracing transparency and accountability supported by third-party validation.”
The partnership is also expected to spur more EIC initiatives throughout OVG event venues, including Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) and Sustainable Event Professional Certification (SEPC) training and other learning and development programs, according to EIC officials. Additionally, the partnership provides OVG with strategic recognition and thought leadership opportunities to collaborate with EIC on its CMP, CMP Fellows and sustainability programs.
“The partnership is grounded in our shared goals of promoting event industry excellence, advancing uniform standards of practice and setting the highest standards for professional and personal growth for those in our industry,” said Amy Calvert, president and CEO of EIC. “We are thrilled to work with Oak View Group to certify their convention centers to EIC’s Sustainable Events Standards. This work will benefit our industry and the countless event professionals we serve.”
Related: Women At The Helm: Amy Calvert, President & CEO, Events Industry Council
Have some trade show-related sustainability news to share? Reach out to lisa.savas@informa.com.
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Partner Voices
One of the most iconic names on the Las Vegas Strip just got an upgrade. Mandalay Bay has everything that your business needs from a refreshed convention space designed to inspire productivity and creativity, to an impressive selection of world-class restaurants and amenities. If you're looking for a venue that's both inviting and innovative, you have to be here.
New Wave Experiences
Mandalay Bay continues to invest in a new wave of enhancements both in the convention space and within the resort as a whole. New restaurant openings including Orla by Michael Mina, drawing inspiration from the award-winning chef’s childhood in Egypt and with flavors and décor inspired by the spices found in markets common to coastal Mediterranean towns, as well as Caramá by Wolfgang Puck, bringing the essence of Italy and spirit of Wolfgang into one concept, are recent additions. The Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas also experienced a recent remodel of all 424 rooms. Swingers, a high-end, adults-only golf and entertainment concept will debut in Fall 2024.
Enhanced Technology
Creating a truly effective conference venue requires careful thought into what a business needs: the right technology, capacity, and inspiration to bring ideas to the next level. As part of the resort’s refresh, Mandalay Bay implemented state-of-the-art technology upgrades, installing cutting-edge Cat6A Ethernet cabling throughout the convention center. This advancement doubles the frequency of data transmission, enabling lightning-fast speeds up to 9400% faster. The convention center now boasts 11 dynamic digital walls, spanning up to 24' x 13', strategically positioned for brand placements, sponsorships and targeted event messaging. Additionally, attendees can benefit from 20 double-sided 55" mobile flexible display units, facilitating effortless navigation to meeting rooms and events. RFID locks were installed on all meeting room doors, and over 200 motion detection cameras have been placed throughout the space.
Refreshing New Design & Fine Art
The newly remodeled convention space provides a bright and vibrant atmosphere that complements Mandalay Bay's tropical-inspired brand. Featuring white-washed walls and ceilings adorned with bold floral patterns in cerulean and coral tones, the space is complemented by warm walnut accent walls. In addition to the redesign of all pre-function spaces, meeting rooms and ballrooms, Mandalay Bay's 1 million square feet of exhibit space has undergone a rejuvenation, including new paint, covered pillars and relocated strobe lights.
Sustainable Spectacles
Mandalay Bay is committed to Focused on What Matters and creating more responsible meetings. Refillable water stations all available around the resort, cutting unnecessary plastic usage from single-use bottles.
The Mandalay Bay campus’ recent upgrades represent a bold step forward in redefining the Las Vegas experience. With a focus on innovation, sustainability, and unparalleled service, Mandalay Bay sets a new standard for excellence in business hospitality. Whether you're seeking cutting-edge conference facilities, world-class dining options, or simply a luxurious retreat, an unparalleled meeting experience awaits.
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