Operators at the Oregon Convention Center, Portland, are very proactive in making their building green. Those efforts also may soon light up the building in colors such as blue, green and red.
The convention center received LEED Platinum certification last year. Center officials have created an array of environmentally friendly programs.
One is converting lighting systems to LED lights, which use less energy.
"We have replaced 70 to 75 percent of our lighting to more energy efficient lighting," said Matt Pizzuti, center deputy director. "But, we haven't touched the towers."
Pizzuti is referring to the two 320-foot spire towers that are located on top of the center. The towers provide natural lighting into the center.
"We do plan to install new LED lighting in the towers soon," he said. "We plan to use a programmable lighting system so we can change colors in the towers."
So, soon, residents of Portland may be able to see the towers glow in different colors depending on the event inside.
Of course, this won't be an easy feat, Pizzuti said. Yet, perhaps easier than installing the original lights 20 years ago.
Pizzuti said when operators were originally trying to fix a lighting system in the towers, they had to find fixtures that wouldn't melt. "It gets up to 140 degrees in the top of those towers," he said.
In other sustainable efforts, venue officials announced last summer they were going to install what is anticipated to be the largest solar array on a convention center in the U.S. Currently under construction, the 6,500 rooftop solar panels are expected to produce 25 percent of the facility’s electricity. The system is expected to be in service this fall.
Center officials also offer an extensive waste recycling program, and composting and food donation programs. They are managing storm water through an innovative rain garden and staff has upgraded 70 percent of the lighting fixtures.
Beginning January 2016, the center's new waste diversion policy aimed at decreasing use of nonrecyclable material will begin. All clients that book spaces as well as exhibitors who subcontract space during these events will be subject to a waste diversion deposit at contract signing. The potential for receiving a full refund is high if show managers comply with the facility's policies that prohibit the use of nonrecyclable materials.