The Oregon Convention Center added one more "green" accomplishment to its list when it received word in January from Portland-based Salmon-Safe that the facility's design features and standards of operation demonstrate sound efforts to protect the Willamette River watershed and salmon habitat.
OCC was the first convention center in the country to earn Salmon-Safe certification in 2007, in part due to its innovative rain garden designed to serve as a catch basin and a contaminant filtering system for roof runoff before entering the nearby Willamette River. Since then, OCC has invested in landscaping improvements by adding drought tolerant plants and utilizing weather-sensing irrigation equipment scheduled to maximize irrigation while minimizing water use. In addition, all facility restroom fixtures have been upgraded to dual-flush valves and low-flow hand faucets, and the interior and exterior integrated pest management program focuses on preventative actions to curtail chemical pesticide use.
"I am proud that one of our region's largest public facilities continues to lead by example in practicing sustainability," said Metro Councilor Carlotta Collette. "These small, consistent steps to become more efficient add up to a sum greater than its parts. Our community will benefit from these investments for years to come."
Metropolitan Exposition Recreation Commission chair Ray Leary added, "OCC has kept its nose to the grindstone on achieving the most sustainable operations among the convention industry and it continues to pay off in rich dividends. These actions help sell Portland as the leading green destination."
The Oregon Convention Center is the largest convention center in the Pacific Northwest and a top meeting destination. It leads the industry in sustainable operations and business practices as the first to earn LEED-EB (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design - Existing Building) in 2004 and in 2008, the first to be recertified LEED-EB Silver. Totaling 1 million square feet of space, it hosts an average of 650 events and more than 700,000 visitors annually.
"Achieving optimal energy efficiency and protecting our precious natural resources not only makes good business sense, in terms of reducing operating costs, it is the right thing to do for our clients and our community," stated Jeff Blosser, OCC executive director.