The award-winning Salem Convention Center does more than dazzle meeting and event attendees with gorgeous aesthetics and impeccable service. The Salem Convention Center was designed from the ground up to be environmentally sustainable and energy-efficient. Since opening our doors in 2005, we have committed ourselves to reducing our carbon footprint with renewable energy and sustainable business practices. It's part of our company culture. We are proud to be among the many businesses in Oregon's capitol city that have prioritized preserving our planet for future generations through our recycling, waste reduction and prevention, environmentally preferable purchasing, energy efficiency and conservation, and water pollution prevention initiatives. Being green hasn't always been the easy thing to do, but it's the right thing to do, so it was an easy decision to make! Take it from us, it IS possible to be a successful business without contributing to the alarming climate crisis. In honor of Earth Day 2021, here are 16 Green Facts about the Salem Convention Center #1- The Salem Convention Center has been recognized multiple times through the years for our green practices including Oregon Business magazine's 100 Best Green Companies to Work For and the Travel Salem Green Award. #2- We have 450 solar panels on our roof! View this post on Instagram A post shared by Salem Convention Center (@salemconventioncenter) #3 - The Salem Convention Center has been certified from Marion County as an EarthWISE business since 2008. #4- The beautiful Worthwood floor in our Willamette Foyer is made from recycled plywood ends. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Salem Convention Center (@salemconventioncenter) #5- If you are driving an electric car in Oregon's Capitol City, you can find an EV charging station here at the Salem Convention Center along with other convenient public parking areas like the Chemeketa Parkade, the Pringle Parkade, and the Marion Parkade! #6- The Salem Convention Center owns an energy recovery unit (ERU). This system draws in outside air and mixes it with inside air for use within the facility to meet temperature needs. #6- Our interior is built with local recycled materials (all from within a 500-mile radius of Salem); and features massive expansive windows for natural light. The Santiam Gallery's terrazzo floor is composed of materials recycled from the building that previously stood on the site of our building. #7- In January 2011, we obtained LEED certification by the U.S. Green Building Council, the nation's preeminent program for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings. #8- In 2016, the Salem Convention Center became one of the first buildings in Salem to earn LEED-EB Silver Certification! View this post on Instagram A post shared by Salem Convention Center (@salemconventioncenter) #9 We compost all food waste and donated an average of 600 meals a week to the Union Gospel Mission of Salem from unused food from client functions prior to the COVID-19 shutdown. #10- Salem Convention Center purchases a percentage of Portland General Electric's wind power. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Salem Convention Center (@salemconventioncenter) #11- Our facility has successfully adapted multiple renewable energy systems to power our events and day-to-day operations. All Salem Convention Center air handling units and water heaters are 95% efficient. #12- Low wattage fluorescent lighting and Green Seal-certified janitorial supplies are used throughout the facility. #13- We always purchase ENERGY STAR equipment whenever possible. #14- We have our own water tower with a closed loop system located on the roof. This system allows only evaporated water to leave our heating and cooling system, thus conserving water. The water tower also utilizes outside rain water and chills the water to conserve energy. #15- The Salem Convention Center has been successful in reducing its thermal footprint by using a low reflecting membrane roof. #16- Our partner hotel, The Grand Hotel in Salem, is also dedicated to eco-friendly practices and was the first hotel in Oregon to participate in Clean the World by recycling all used soap products from guest rooms. SCC's team remains committed to exploring new opportunities to better conserve and reuse our valuable resources. To learn more about the Salem Convention Center's sustainable practices, visit our website or feel free to contact our office at (866) 614-1900.
