Anaheim Convention Center Scores LEED Gold Certification for Sustainability

July 21, 2016

The Anaheim Convention Center, the largest convention center on the West Coast, was awarded LEED Gold certification, a designation for sustainable-rated buildings.

The Anaheim Convention Center is the largest U.S. convention center to achieve LEED Gold certification. The honor follows the center’s earning of LEED certification in 2010.

“The Anaheim Convention Center is the West Coast’s premier gathering place with world-class facilities and neighboring attractions to match in the Anaheim Resort District,” said Tom Morton, executive director of Convention, Sports and Entertainment for the city of Anaheim.

He added, “When groups come here, they have peace of mind in knowing they are in one of the industry’s most sustainable convention centers.”

LEED, short for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design and administered by the Washington, D.C.-based U.S. Green Building Council, is the benchmark for buildings, homes and communities designed, built, maintained and operated for optimal environmental and human health.

The Anaheim Convention Center attained LEED Gold by scoring high in sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection, indoor environmental quality and environmentally friendly practices. 

Opened in 1967, the Anaheim Convention Center has a history of environmentally sustainable practices, including the installation of more than 7,900 solar panels covering 300,000 square feet of the center’s roof and generating an estimated 3.6 million kilowatt hours of electricity annually.

Here are some other sustainable features:

·       A Green Zone recycling and composting area that turns kitchen food scraps into nutrient-rich compost used throughout the Anaheim Resort District.

·       A water and energy conservation program including low-flow equipment, compact fluorescents, LEDs and energy-efficient materials throughout the facility.

·       Use of non-toxic cleaners and environmentally friendly products.

·       Nearly 75 percent of waste generated is diverted from landfills each year.

The Anaheim Convention Center also plans to add another 200,000 square feet of flexible meeting space, set to complete in 2017.  

The expansion, which also will have a 10,000 sq. ft. terrace, will overlook Katella Avenue and the Disneyland Resort, including nightly fireworks at Disneyland Park.

Other features include 25 ft. ceilings, 1,350 parking spaces, a climate-controlled pedestrian bridge connection to the center’s existing exhibit halls, new loading docks and improved vehicle flow.

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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