Los Angeles Convention Center Combats State's Drought Conditions
May 11, 2015
Running a large facility with thousands of visitors coming through can be a challenge in the middle of one of the most severe droughts on record in the state of California, but that’s the daily reality for the Los Angeles Convention Center.
As a result, LACC officials have implemented several water conservation measures, as well as partnered with LA Green.
“Environmental sustainability is an area of critical importance for the Los Angeles Convention Center,” said Brad Gessner, senior vice president of AEG Facilities and General Manager of the Los Angeles Convention Center.
He added, “Water conservation is a vital facet of our environmental initiatives and we constantly seek opportunities to invest in sustainable products, technology, and practices to reduce negative environmental impact.”
The facility is USGBC LEED-EB Gold certified facility and achieved a 7 percent overall reduction in water consumption in 2014, compared with 2013.
Beginning in February 2014, the LACC also replaced 80 percent of sprinklers located throughout the facility’s outdoor areas. The improved irrigation system features leak-preventing nozzles, which have measurably reduced water usage and waste at the Center.
In addition, the venue reduced irrigation by 33 percent, compared with 2013 by introducing a new, water-saving irrigation plan consisting of separating vegetation areas into two zones.
As part of the refined irrigation system, the LACC Operations team also is monitoring irrigation meters on a weekly basis to ensure a timely response to any excessive water use or waste and to mitigate any issues before they arise.
Project leaders have found that such precise monitoring will contribute to the LACC’s ongoing effort to lead the convention center industry in environmental sustainability, a vital facet of the LACC’s commitment to excellence.
Water conservation efforts also include updating the fire pump systems; the LACC West Hall jockey pump was replaced with a mechanical seal pump, which has zero water loss emission.
The center also is looking for ways to reuse water.
Following the SCVA Junior Qualifier competitions held in April, thousands of gallons of water were left over from their setup of volleyball courts/
The LACC shared the water with a local organization Korean Youth and Community Center, who are part of Green LA, and plant on average 1,000 trees annually
As a result, total water reused across both weekends was 6,000 gallons, about one-third of total water used by the show.
KYCC used the water for trees and pressure washers for graffiti removal, and the LACC used it for scrubbers, pressure washers and specific deep-tree watering.
As far as future projects, the LACC also is in the process of reducing its landscaping area by 30,000 square feet and replacing it with drought-resistant plants. The venue also has an upcoming project to retrofit existing toilets with low-flush technology.
Partner Voices
Overview:
The award-winning Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) goes the extra mile to make every day extraordinary by offering customer service excellence and industry-leading partnerships. From their dedicated in-house Rigging team to their robust Exhibitor Services, The Center of Hospitality brings your imagination to life by helping you host unforgettable meetings and events. With more than 2 million square feet of exhibit space, world-class services and a dream destination, we are committed to making even the most ambitious conventions a reality.
In October 2023, the Orange County Board of County Commissioners voted to approve allocating Tourist Development Tax funding for the $560 million Phase 5A completion of the OCCC. The Convention Way Grand Concourse project will include enhancements to the North-South Building, featuring an additional 60,000 square feet of meeting space, an 80,000- square-foot ballroom and new entry to the North-South Building along Convention Way.
“We are thrilled to begin work on completing our North-South Building which will allow us to meet the growing needs of our clients,” said OCCC Executive Director Mark Tester. “As an economic driver for the community, this project will provide the Center with connectivity and meeting space to host more events and continue to infuse the local economy with new money and expanding business opportunities.”
Amenities:
The Center of Hospitality goes above and beyond by offering world-class customer service and industry-leading partnerships. From the largest convention center Wi-Fi network to custom LAN/WAN design, the Center takes pride in enhancing exhibitor and customer experience.
The OCCC is the exclusive provider of electricity (24-hour power at no additional cost), aerial rigging and lighting, water, natural gas and propane, compressed air, and cable TV services. Convenience
The Center is at the epicenter of the destination, with an abundance of hotels, restaurants, and attractions within walking distance. Pedestrian bridges connect both buildings to more than 5,200 rooms and is within a 15-minute drive from the Orlando International Airport. The convenience of the location goes hand-in-hand with top notch service to help meet an event’s every need.
Gold Key Members
The OCCC’s Gold Key Members represent the best of the best when it comes to exceptional service and exclusive benefits for clients, exhibitors and guests. The Center’s Gold Key memberships with Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld Orlando and Walt Disney World greatly enhance meeting planner and attendee experiences offering world-renowned venues, immersive experiences and creative resources for their events.
OCCC Events:
This fiscal year, the OCCC is projected to host 168 events, 1.7 million attendees, and $2.9 billion in economic impact.
The Center’s top five events during their 2022-2023 fiscal year included:
AAU Jr. National Volleyball Championships 2023
200,000 Attendees
$257 Million in Economic Impact
MEGACON 2023
160,000 Attendees
$205 Million in Economic Impact
Open Championship Series 2023
69,500 Attendees
$89 Million in Economic Impact
Sunshine Classic 2023
42,000 Attendees
$54 Million in Economic Impact
Premiere Orlando 2023
42,000 Attendees
$108 Million in Economic Impact
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