Achieving LEED® Platinum, APEX/ASTM and other certifications is more than a point of pride. It’s a reflection of our community’s values. The people who live here have always celebrated a cleaner, healthier environment and sustainable communities. The Oregon Convention Center is located in the heart of Portland, and has helped the city to establish an international reputation for sustainability. And the city government itself, with a strong commitment to sustainability, helps reinforce these important values through practice and policy for both residents and guests of the region.
For us, “sustainability” is about much more than just the environment. The ultimate goal should be a safe and healthy place where all people can work, live, and grow. So it is no small feat that the Oregon Convention Center helps to maintain about 6,000 jobs in the Portland region, and attracts an estimated $625 million of economic impact annually. OCC falls under the umbrella of Metro, the unique, regional government in the area. Overseen by an elected council, Metro helps to plan and coordinate land use and development decisions, protect natural spaces in the area, manage waste and recycling programs, and create policy that protects the health, well-being, and happiness of residents.
The OCC is also in the center of Lloyd, an EcoDistrict working to become the most sustainable neighborhood in the country. Through a nonprofit, and with the help of businesses like the Oregon Convention Center, Lloyd is working to achieve ambitious goals in areas such as waste reduction, climate action, and community resilience. We are lucky to have such great neighbors!
The Oregon Convention Center knows the importance of partnership. We work closely with a variety of businesses and nonprofit organizations to ensure that our air, land, water, and people are treated with care. Everything from reusable goods and materials to leftover food is donated back to the community and kept out of the landfill.
And of course, we do everything in our power to build community within our very own walls. Employee engagement activities. Client outreach. Even our focus on supporting woman and minority-owned businesses with our purchasing choices. Our $35 million renovation project, for example, is the largest public contract ever awarded to a minority-owned business in the state of Oregon’s history. The OCC knows that this is a team sport, and supporting the residents of our region is a top priority.