Vancouver Convention Centre Goes Double Platinum

November 8, 2017

The Vancouver Convention Centre has set a new bar in the event sustainability realm. Last month, the already greener-than-green convention center’s West building was awarded LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Platinum certification (version 4) for Existing Buildings: Operations and Maintenance by the Canada Green Building Council.

Coupled with its 2010 LEED Platinum certification for New Construction, the VCC now owns the bragging rights for being the only double LEED Platinum convention center in the world.

“While the Vancouver Convention Centre was built to the highest environmental standard with features like our six-acre living roof and impressive green technology, our commitment to the environment is more than the building itself, significant as it is,” said Ken Cretney, president and CEO of BC Pavilion Corporation, which runs the VCC.

He continued, “When we opened our West building, we set out to be a global leader in sustainability to make a difference in our community and global industry. I am extremely proud of our team for its dedication and hard work to further our sustainability program, resulting in this prestigious second Platinum designation.”

Platinum is the highest level of LEED certification that a green building can attain and v4 is the newest version of the rating system, which features a more flexible, performance-based approach that calls for measurable results throughout a building’s lifecycle.

Considered “the framework and benchmark for the next generation of green buildings,” v4 also allows for a more streamlined user experience and more goal-oriented credits.

According to VCC officials, the achievement of this additional green certification resulted from a rigorous process of re-examining all areas of operations at the facility, including engagement with stakeholders, clients and retailers to identify opportunities for enhanced sustainable performance, resulting in v4 Platinum for excellence in the areas of waste management, energy efficiency, indoor water use reduction and facility maintenance and renovations.

For example, increasing the capacity of its onsite Blackwater Treatment Plant by 30 percent in combination with water-efficient fixtures made it possible for the VCC to use 38 percent less potable water annually compared to the LEED baseline.

Sustainably minded show organizers have certainly taken notice, including Tahira Endean, producer of the annual #BCTECH Summit / BC Innovation Council, British Columbia’s largest technology conference that attracts approximately 5,000 participants and was most recently held March 14-15 at the VCC.

“When planning the #BCTECH Summit, we begin with sustainability in mind and the Convention Centre being a double LEED Platinum-certified building supports the story we share with our participants and the world,” Endean explained.

She continued, “Among our participant base are a number of Certified B corporations with the mindset to build socially, environmentally and economically aware organizations. When we create and deliver an event that makes sense for people, with local food and beverage, natural light, space and air to learn and connect in, with decisions that make sense for the planet (including the selection of this destination and this venue) and where we drive business results, leading to the third triple-bottom line of profit, we have success. The choice of the Vancouver Convention Centre supports all our objectives and we are thrilled to meet here annually.”

According to Thomas Mueller, president and CEO of the CGBC, the achievement of Canada’s first LEED v4 Platinum Existing Buildings certification once again demonstrates VCC’s leadership in the event sustainability arena.

“Through the LEED v4 Platinum certification, the VCC team is ensuring that this world-class venue continues to be operated and maintained at the highest level, delivering environmental and health benefits for years to come,” Mueller said.

He added, “At the same time, the VCC is setting an example for convention facilities around the world while showcasing Vancouver’s commitment to environmental excellence.”

Developed by the U.S. Green Building Council, LEED is the world’s most widely used green building rating system that provides a framework to create healthy, highly efficient and cost-saving green buildings.

For more information about LEED v4, go HERE.

​​​​​​

Add new comment

Partner Voices
Overview: The award-winning Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) goes the extra mile to make every day extraordinary by offering customer service excellence and industry-leading partnerships. From their dedicated in-house Rigging team to their robust Exhibitor Services, The Center of Hospitality brings your imagination to life by helping you host unforgettable meetings and events. With more than 2 million square feet of exhibit space, world-class services and a dream destination, we are committed to making even the most ambitious conventions a reality. In October 2023, the Orange County Board of County Commissioners voted to approve allocating Tourist Development Tax funding for the $560 million Phase 5A completion of the OCCC. The Convention Way Grand Concourse project will include enhancements to the North-South Building, featuring an additional 60,000 square feet of meeting space, an 80,000- square-foot ballroom and new entry to the North-South Building along Convention Way. “We are thrilled to begin work on completing our North-South Building which will allow us to meet the growing needs of our clients,” said OCCC Executive Director Mark Tester. “As an economic driver for the community, this project will provide the Center with connectivity and meeting space to host more events and continue to infuse the local economy with new money and expanding business opportunities.” Amenities: The Center of Hospitality goes above and beyond by offering world-class customer service and industry-leading partnerships. From the largest convention center Wi-Fi network to custom LAN/WAN design, the Center takes pride in enhancing exhibitor and customer experience.  The OCCC is the exclusive provider of electricity (24-hour power at no additional cost), aerial rigging and lighting, water, natural gas and propane, compressed air, and cable TV services. Convenience The Center is at the epicenter of the destination, with an abundance of hotels, restaurants, and attractions within walking distance. Pedestrian bridges connect both buildings to more than 5,200 rooms and is within a 15-minute drive from the Orlando International Airport. The convenience of the location goes hand-in-hand with top notch service to help meet an event’s every need. Gold Key Members The OCCC’s Gold Key Members represent the best of the best when it comes to exceptional service and exclusive benefits for clients, exhibitors and guests. The Center’s Gold Key memberships with Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld Orlando and Walt Disney World greatly enhance meeting planner and attendee experiences offering world-renowned venues, immersive experiences and creative resources for their events. OCCC Events: This fiscal year, the OCCC is projected to host 168 events, 1.7 million attendees, and $2.9 billion in economic impact.  The Center’s top five events during their 2022-2023 fiscal year included:  AAU Jr. National Volleyball Championships 2023 200,000 Attendees $257 Million in Economic Impact MEGACON 2023 160,000 Attendees $205 Million in Economic Impact Open Championship Series 2023 69,500 Attendees $89 Million in Economic Impact Sunshine Classic 2023 42,000 Attendees $54 Million in Economic Impact Premiere Orlando 2023 42,000 Attendees $108 Million in Economic Impact