The Virginia Beach Convention Center (VBCC) saved $210,000 last fiscal year through energy conservation initiatives.  An ENERGY STAR partner for nearly two years, the center has cumulatively saved over $410,000 in utilities. As the first Virginia Green certified convention center, and currently in pursuit of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification, the VBCC has taken several measures to operate as an energy efficient facility. 

When compared to the previous fiscal year (July 2008 to June 2009), the VBCC used 49 percent less power, gas and water. This includes a savings of 2.2 million kilowatts of electricity and 468,000 gallons of water. In addition to its energy conservation efforts, the VBCC has diverted 79 tons of waste from the landfill to a local recycling center by using recycle containers and dumpsters throughout the facility.

“By conserving energy and reducing our costs, we are better able to serve our community and meeting planners,” stated Courtney Dyer, VBCC general manager. “The Convention Center’s commitment to the environment is not only a preferred amenity, but more frequently a requirement for meeting planners looking to book their conventions. Recent trends in the tourism and hospitality industry indicate that clients are very interested in doing business with environmentally conscious organizations.”

This summer, the award-winning facility continued to focus on increasing awareness among clients and guests.  “Green Building” signs have been placed throughout the Convention Center identifying functions such as recycling, programmable lighting and HVAC systems, energy efficient compact fluorescent lighting and low flow faucets and soap dispensers with motion detectors.  Further, the center is now displaying OneEarth.org public service announcements on its 360-foot video wall along with intermittent messages about what the VBCC is doing specifically to reduce its impact on the environment.  Distinctive Gourmet, the Center’s exclusive caterer has even planted an onsite herb garden to encourage the use of local sustainable food and has begun a food composting program. 

A partner in the U.S Environmental Protection Agency’s ENERGY STAR program since November 2007, the VBCC’s goal was to implement 20 cost-saving measures by the end of 2008. The VBCC’s efforts included measuring and tracking energy performance, developing and implementing an energy savings plan, and communicating the importance of energy savings and waste reduction to facility staff, clients and the community.  VBCC staff is involved at all levels, from shutting off lights and closing doors in unoccupied spaces to educating clients about how they can conserve energy and “green” their convention or event.

A complete list of the VBCC’s sustainability initiatives and recommendations for green meetings can be found at www.vbconventioncenter.com/green.

ENERGY STAR is a voluntary program, backed by the Federal government, that sets standards for superior energy efficiency in buildings, products, and services. To date, more than 30,000 commercial and industrial buildings have used ENERGY STAR tools to identify opportunities for energy efficiency improvements, and more than 3,200 of these buildings have earned the ENERGY STAR.

The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System, developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), provides a suite of standards for environmentally sustainable construction. Since its inception in 1998, LEED has grown to encompass more than 14,000 projects in 50 U.S. States and 30 countries.

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