Media Advisory

TO:         All Media

FROM:   Amanda Shell
Moxley Carmichael
(865) 255-0661

DATE:    Thursday, June 27, 2013, at 10 a.m.

RE:     KNOXVILLE CONVENTION CENTER BECOMES FIRST CONVENTION CENTER IN STATE TO
ACHIEVE LEED CERTIFICATION

Knoxville Mayor Madeline Rogero will join Knoxville Convention Center staff to celebrate the LEED Silver Certification for Existing Buildings by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) in the Ballroom Drop-off of the Knoxville Convention Center on Thursday, June 27 at 10 a.m. The facility is the first convention center in the state to achieve LEED certification.

In order to achieve LEED Certification for Existing Buildings, the Convention Center was scored in accordance with rigorous guidelines set forth by the USGBC. LEED certification candidates must verify the implementation of sustainable practices that reduce the environmental impacts of their building, including regular exterior building site maintenance programs; efficient water and energy use; environmentally preferred practices for building cleaning and updates; sustainable purchasing policies; waste stream management; and ongoing indoor environmental quality.

Over several years, the Knoxville Convention Center has made green retrofits to the facility to reduce its carbon footprint and make the building more sustainable, including a rooftop solar photovoltaic system, new energy efficient boilers, a 30-ton air cooled chiller, window film, a new domestic hot water system and lighting systems.

The facility also implements sustainable purchasing policies. The in-house food and beverage department, SAVOR, uses primarily local products purchased within 90 miles of the facility and also operates a farm-to-table program. Some herbs and produce used in the center’s catering are grown on-site in functional landscaping around the property and in a grow room in the facility.

In March 2011, the Knoxville Convention Center was also the first convention center in the state to become certified to Tennessee Green Hospitality by the Tennessee Hospitality Association.

Visuals: Knoxville Mayor Madeline Rogero and Knoxville Convention Center General Manager Mary Bogert unveiling a plaque to signify the LEED certification of the facility. Tours of the facility’s green initiatives will be available upon request. Interview opportunities with Mayor Rogero, Mary Bogert and Executive Vice President David Anderson of Ameresco, the city of Knoxville’s energy partner.

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