Los Angeles, CA – The Los Angeles Convention Center was granted LEED-EB certification by the U.S. Green Building Council, and will be modified further in the coming years to improve its green capabilities even more.
The management of the center plans to enhance its LEED-EB (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design for Existing Buildings) credentials by becoming a “zero waste” facility in which everything is recycled. The center, which currently diverts more than 50% of it trash, is also studying ways to add green space to the grounds and using thermal storage as a means of reducing heating, ventilation and air-conditioning loads.
The convention center is the first U.S. convention center of its age and size to earn LEED-EB certification. The LACC is the 15th largest convention center in the U.S., according to Trade Show Executive’s directory of The World’s Top Convention Centers. It offers 770,000 square feet of prime exhibit space and 150,000 square feet of meeting space.
Pouria Abbassi, CEO and general manager of the center, said obtaining LEED-EB certification was an ambitious effort that took a few years to plan and carry out, and provided experiences that other centers could benefit from. “Most importantly, we want to share our learning and experiences across the industry,” he said.
Mark Liberman, president and CEO of LA INC., the Los Angeles Convention and Visitors Bureau, said that the certification added to the allure of the city as a convention and trade show destination. Reach Pouria Abbassi at (213) 741-1151 or pabbassi@lacclink.com; Mark Liberman at (213) 236-2301 or mliberman@lainc.us
