Indy Airport Executive Shares Green Airport Practices at UN Sustainability Event
December 11, 2017
Due to the wide array of sustainability initiatives it has implemented during the years, including the global and national recognition it has received for its sustainability achievements and commitments, the Indianapolis Airport Authority was selected to participate in a panel discussion at the United Nations’ International Civil Aviation Organization Seminar on Green Airports, held Nov. 29 at the UN ICAO headquarters in Montreal, Canada.
Mario Rodriguez, executive director of the Indianapolis Airport Authority, served as a panelist speaker in a discussion centered around green-energy initiatives, during which he focused on the span of ongoing carbon-reducing efforts happening at the Indy Airport (IND), including extensive efforts in renewable and clean energy.
“We have an excellent story to tell the world,” Rodriguez said prior to the event. “Our decisions and efforts are a testament to our commitment to environmental stewardship, and how to integrate that into an airport operation and traveler experience that increases the value of an airport as a public asset.”
The airport’s green achievements began with the construction of a new terminal in 2008, which enabled IND to become the first LEED-certified airport campus in the U.S.
Recently, the Airports Council International-North America’s Airport Carbon Accreditation Program, announced that IND had reached its Level 2 Reduction designation for reducing carbon emissions throughout the airport’s operations. To date, these steps have resulted in emissions reductions equivalent to removing 5,720 vehicles from the road, according to Indy Airport officials.
One of the key topics discussed during the event was solar energy, with Rodriguez sharing a story about the airport’s solar farm initiative, which boasts the largest solar-energy generating operation on airport property in the world. Dubbed IND Solar Farm, the system generates enough electricity to power 3,675 average American homes per year, and was recognized as a significant contribution to Indianapolis being named in the Shining Cities Report from Environment America as well as its achievement of the 2015 Indianapolis Sustainability Award from SustainIndy.
Rodriguez also discussed the airport’s recent launch of the nation’s largest airport electric shuttle bus fleet, which was funded by the largest federal Zero Emissions Grant awarded in 2016, and an additional ZEV grant awarded to the airport this year. The fleet will grow to five buses in January and will expand to a nine-bus fleet in 2019. According to Indy Airport officials, the electric buses reduce IND’s carbon footprint by 15 million pounds.
A range of other sustainable initiatives also was part of Rodriguez’s presentation, including the airport’s BlueIndy electric car-sharing service that was implemented in 2016 that produces no direct carbon emissions, noise pollution or odor, as well as IND’s bee apiary. Established with White Lick Beekeeper’s Association to support community education and beekeeping training to preserve the endangered Indiana honey bee, the apiary earned the airport the 2017 Airports Council International-North America’s Environmental Achievement Award for Outreach, Education and Community Involvement.
“Here at IND, we have chosen to do things in a meaningful way,” Rodriguez said. “Our sustainability efforts are impactful with the largest solar farm complex on any airport in the world, launching the largest all-electric bus fleet in any U.S. airport and being one of the first LEED-certified airport terminal campuses.”
He continued, “It’s important to share IND’s successes with the industry as all communities have similar desires for their public agencies to be good stewards of the environment. The aviation industry can learn from each other, and we’re proud the Indianapolis International Airport has long served as a pilot and launching ground for many programs that were later implemented across America.”
While Rodriguez focused primarily on the larger initiatives at the UN ICAO meeting, IND’s sustainability efforts also include water-bottle refilling stations for passengers traveling through the airport as well as human-powered mobile-device charging bikes that require no electricity usage and help promote fitness.
During his trip, Rodriguez made a point of leaving the UN ICAO event with one clear message: an airport is a tremendous asset to its community and IND connects us to the world and in a world-class way that protects our environment.
“Being a green airport and working to obtain carbon-neutral operations is of the utmost importance,” Rodriguez said.
He continued, “It closely aligns with the Indianapolis Airport Authority’s mission to increase public value. The Indianapolis International Airport is a public entity that exists to serve its community. A strategic win is aligning with the community’s goals and desires. The greater Indianapolis community, similar to most communities worldwide, desires public agencies to be good stewards of the environment. Becoming an environmental leader in the U.S. is a positive byproduct of doing what is best for the community.”
Along with Rodriguez, representatives from airports including the San Diego International Airport; the San Francisco International Airport; Aéroports de Paris; Greater Toronto Airports Authority; Airports of Thailand; Federal Aviation Administration; Airports Council International – World and the U.S. Green Building Council also participated in the event.
According to Rodriguez, IND’s presentation was well received.
“By presenting the tangible benefits of these efforts on the local community, via reduction of the airport’s carbon footprint, it helped to set the stage to discuss the deeper issue of return on investment for these programs,” Rodriguez explained.
He continued, “ROI should not be a simplistic financial equation but rather an all-encompassing public value equation. It is easy to opt for the cheaper, less environmentally sound practice, but this degrades the environment and thus reduces public value. Sustainability remains one of the fundamental goals of the Indianapolis Airport Authority; we take great pride in this accomplishment and hope it sends a clear signal to other airports throughout North America that sustainability and good business practice can often fit hand-in-hand.”
Partner Voices
Less than six months ago, Lisa Messina joined the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) as the first-ever chief sales officer after leading the sales team at Caesars Entertainment. A 12-year Las Vegas resident, Messina is a graduate of Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration and serves on MPI International’s board of directors.
TSNN had a chance to catch up with this dynamic leader and talk to her about her vision for the new role, current shifts in the trade show industry, creating more diversity and equity within the organization, and advice to future female leaders.
Lisa Messina, Chief Sales Officer, LVCVA
With Las Vegas becoming The Greatest Arena on EarthTM, what are some of the things you’re most excited about in your role?
Our team was at The Big Game’s handoff ceremony earlier this month, and I couldn’t help but think, “We’re going to crush it next year!”
These high-profile events and venues not only drive excitement, but also provide unmatched opportunities for event planners. Allegiant Stadium hosts events from 10 to 65,000 people and offers on-field experiences. Formula 1 Grand Prix will take place in Las Vegas in November, after the year-one F1 race, the four-story paddock building will be available for buyouts and will also offer daily ride-along experiences that will be available for groups. And, of course, the MSG Sphere officially announced that it will open in September, ahead of schedule, with a U2 residency. It’s going to be the most technologically advanced venue as far as lighting, sound, feel, and even scent, and it will be available for buyouts and next-level sponsorships inside and outside. There’s no ceiling to what you can do when you’re doing events in Las Vegas.
Allegiant Stadium
As the trade show and convention business returns to the pre-pandemic levels, what shifts are you noticing and how do you think they will impact the industry going forward?
Our trade show organizers are very focused on driving customer experience. Most of our organizers are reporting stronger exhibitor numbers and increased numbers of new exhibitors, with trade shows proving to be almost or above 2019 levels. Now our organizers are really doubling down on driving attendance and focusing on the data to provide that individualized, customized experience to help attendees meet their goals and get the best value. Some companies continue to be cautiously optimistic with their organizational spend when it comes to sending attendees, but I think it will continue to improve. As the U.S. Travel Association makes more progress on the U.S. visa situation, we also expect a growing influx of international attendees.
What are some innovative ways the LVCVA helps trade show and convention organizers deliver the most value for their events?
We focus on customer experience in the same way that trade show organizers are thinking about it. We got rave reviews with the West Hall Expansion of the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC), so over the next two years, we will be renovating the North and the Central halls, which will include not just the same look and feel, but also the digital experiences that can be leveraged for branding and sponsorship opportunities.
Vegas Loop, the underground transportation system designed by The Boring Company, is also a way we have enhanced the customer experience. Vegas Loop at the LVCC has transported more than 900,000 convention attendees across the campus since its 2021 launch. Last summer, Resorts World and The Boring Company opened the first resort stop at the Resorts World Las Vegas , with plans to expand throughout the resort corridor, including downtown Las Vegas, Allegiant Stadium and Harry Reid International Airport. The LVCVA also purchased the Las Vegas Monorail in 2020, the 3.9-mile-long elevated transportation system that connects eight resorts directly to the convention center campus. This is the only rail system in the world that integrates fares directly into show badges and registration. For trade show organizers, these transportation options mean saving time, money and effort when it comes to moving groups from the hotels to LVCC and around the city.
Also, the more we can focus on building the infrastructure around the convention center, the more it supports the customer experience and ultimately supports our trade show organizers. Scheduled to debut in Q4, Fontainebleau Las Vegas will offer 3,700 hotel rooms and 550,000 square feet of meeting and convention space next to LVCC.
What are some of the plans for advancing DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) within your organization?
We’re currently partnering with instead of working with a leading consulting firm, to lay the foundation and create a solid DEI plan and be the leader when it comes to DEI initiatives. The heart of that journey with the consulting firm is also talking to our customers about their strategic approaches to DEI and driving innovation in this space.
What are your favorite ways to recharge?
My husband and I have an RV and we’re outdoorsy people. So, while we have over 150,000 world-class hotel rooms and renowned restaurants right outside our doorstep, one of my favorite things to do is get out to Red Rock Canyon, the Valley of Fire, and Lake Mead. Five of the top national parks are within a three-hour drive from Las Vegas, so there’s a lot you can do. We love balancing the energy of Las Vegas with nature, and we’re noticing that a lot of attendees add activities off the Strip when they come here.
Valley of Fire
What advice would you give to women following leadership paths in destination marketing?
I think it’s about being laser-focused on what you want to accomplish; building a team around you that lifts you and helps you achieve your goals; and being humble and realizing that you do it as a group. No one gets this done alone. Thankfully, there are a lot of women in leadership in this organization, in our customers’ organizations, and in this city that we can be really proud of. We’re a formidable force that is making things happen.
This interview has been edited and condensed.
This article is exclusively sponsored by the Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority. For more information, visit HERE.
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