Several hotel brands and convention centers are jumping on the green bandwagon to help the environment and people in need through an array of sustainability and CSR initiatives. 

TCF Center Snags LEED Gold Certification

Detroit’s TCF Center has been awarded LEED Gold Certification, making it the largest LEED-certified building in the state of Michigan. The LEED rating system, developed by the U.S. Green Building Council, is considered the foremost program for buildings, homes and communities that are designed, constructed, maintained and operated for improved environmental and human health performance. 

The convention center received a score of 79/100 for the LEED application, one point away from Platinum. Several best practices highlighted included the facility’s living green roof, water use efficiency, its “Sustainability Lives Here” campaign and human experience. 

In a dedication ceremony at the convention center on Oct. 9, the certification was presented to TCF Center General Manager Claude Molinari by Mahesh Ramanujam, president and CEO of USGBC.

“LEED is a transformative tool that is helping communities build spaces that are not only better for the environment, but for people too,” Ramanujam said. “By prioritizing sustainability, TCF Center is leading the way in its industry. It is moving beyond construction and efficiency and finding ways to help us improve our quality of life by creating spaces that prioritize health and well-being.”

Caesars Entertainment’s Atlantic City Properties Recognized for Environmental and CSR Efforts

Earlier this month, Green Key Global recognized Caesars Entertainment’s three Atlantic City properties — Harrah’s Resort, Bally’s and Caesars — for their leadership and commitment to corporate social responsibility and sustainability initiatives with “green keys,” ratings that represent environmental standards of excellence.

Based in Canada, Green Key Global is a 20-year-old, Global Sustainable Tourism Council-recognized international certification body that offers standardized programs and resources designed specifically for the hotel and meetings industries.  

Caesars’ Atlantic City properties participated in the Green Key Meetings program designed to assess lodging and event facilities that host meetings of any size. Developed in collaboration with Meeting Professionals International, the program awarded each Caesars Entertainment property at least four out of five keys for their sustainable operations at the facility level. 

Bally’s Atlantic City received a five-key rating, while the other two properties received four. Overall, the three properties demonstrated high standards of environmental and social responsibility in their meetings and convention facilities and practices, including extensive energy, water and waste reduction programs. 

“We have a strong track record of environmental and socio-economic progress that is essential to our operations, as well as meeting our guests’ expectations of us as a responsible business,” said Gwen Migita, global head of social impact, equity and sustainability for Caesars Entertainment. 

Migita added that Caesars’ work in Atlantic City continues off-property with community engagement efforts in New Jersey that include working with the National Park Trust and Cure for a Cause. 

LACC Diverts 26 Tons of Leftover Event Materials 

Los Angeles Convention Center recently demonstrated its ongoing commitment to zero-waste management and community service by collecting and donating 14.1 tons of leftover event items and 12 tons of carpet to several Los Angeles-based nonprofit organizations. 

Organizations including Habitat for Humanity, The Salvation Army L.A. Red Shield Youth & Community Center, St. Francis Center and EduCare Foundation received furniture, art supplies, tote bags, fixtures, water bottles, lanyards and clothing. 

Additionally, the LACC donated 72 four-stream recycling bins to The Salvation Army Red Shield Community Center in downtown L.A. to be used to educate students at schools and camps about how to responsibly dispose of waste.

In addition to donating thousands of hard goods per year, the LACC continues to give back to the community through volunteering. In 2018, more than 25 employees from the LACC and in-house vendor teams took part in a service day at The Salvation Army Red Shield Community Center in the Pico Union district. The volunteers worked with students in an afterschool program with arts and crafts projects, tutoring, sports and playing games. 

During the LACC’s third annual day of service in 2019, the LACC teamed up with the Downtown Women’s Center. Thirty LACC and Taste of LA by Levy employees prepared and served home-style meals and sorted donations for the Made by DWC retail store and women in-need. 

Last spring, a team of LACC volunteers visited the Hope Street Margolis Family Center to give back to the neighborhood. In addition, a group painted part of the Shaping LA mural by Portraits of Hope that is currently displayed on South Hall’s curved wall facing the 110 freeway. 

“The LACC team takes [facility management company] AEG’s mission, ‘giving the world a reason to cheer’ and applies it to the heart of our business approach,” said Ellen Schwartz, LACC general manager. “We are a facility committed to impacting the community for the better, continuously seeking ways to reduce our environmental footprint and serve those in need.” 

U.S. Hard Rock Hotels Offers Hygiene Kit Events

As part of its “Save the Planet” campaign, Hard Rock International recently partnered with Clean the World to offer a unique meeting experience that encourages teambuilding while giving back to the community, reducing waste and helping those in need. 

During Clean the World’s Hygiene Kit Events, groups can work in teams to build hygiene kits comprising recycled soap, shampoos, conditioners, lotions, toothbrushes, toothpaste, razors and washcloths along with an inspirational card. Event groups can also choose to create women’s, children’s and veteran-specific specialty kits. Once completed, the hygiene kits are donated to homeless shelters, disaster relief efforts or a chosen charity. 

“We are proud to engage with partners like Clean the World that make such a huge impact in our communities and around the world,” said Danielle Babilino, senior vice president of global sales and marketing for Hard Rock Hotels & Casinos. “Hard Rock is committed to corporate social responsibility, and through this partnership, we can offer high social impact at a low cost while promoting strong teambuilding.”

With headquarters in Orlando and facilities in Orlando, Canada, Las Vegas, Hong Kong, Punta Cana, and Amsterdam, Clean the World is a social enterprise dedicated to saving millions of lives across the globe while simultaneously diverting hotel waste from landfills.  

“Clean the World has a two-part mission: to have a positive environmental and social impact,” said Bruce Matthews, Clean the World’s vice president of business development. “There’s nothing better than giving those in need access to soap and essential hygiene supplies. Something as small as a bar of soap can make a meaningful impact in the lives of children and families around the world.”

Hard Rock plans to announce more “Save the Planet” initiatives, including partnerships with key charity partners, to help protect the environment and promote community wellness.