Name: Erin Rowland
Title: Sustainability Coordinator
Organization: Oregon Convention Center
Years: Almost two years
Primary responsibilities: “Every day is very different. When we were working on LEED certification, I was working on policy and employee training. Now, I am working on strategic planning—determining how we can continue to push the envelope in how we operate our building.”
Organization’s most significant sustainability-related accomplishment so far: “The most obvious is the recertification at LEED Platinum. Our center was not built to any LEED standards. It shows we have committed to improving our building operations over a decade.”
Organization’s most significant sustainability-related challenge: “We feel proud of the work we have done on the operations side but we need to expand our sustainability commitment to those coming into our building. Can we incentivize designers and vendors?”
PORTLAND, ORE.—Among U.S. meeting facilities, the Oregon Convention Center (OCC) in Portland, Ore. is undoubtedly one of the most prestigious when it comes to accomplishments in green building and sustainability. This past March it became only the second meeting facility in the United States to earn LEED Platinum certification. Earlier this summer, OCC achieved Level Four certification for the ASTM Standard pertaining to the evaluation and selection of venues for environmentally sustainable meetings, events, trade shows and conferences. As a cherry on top of those accomplishments, OCC recently received the 2014 Green Award at Travel Portland’s 35th Annual Tourism & Hospitality Industry Awards Celebration.
A leading force behind OCC’s many achievements is Erin Rowland, the Center’s Sustainability Coordinator. Rowland, who recently earned her LEED AP for Existing Buildings Accreditation, has been working in her current position since November 2012. She previously worked as a Sustainability Specialist at the Clark County Environmental Services Department in the state of Washington.
Rowland is the only person at OCC with a sustainability title but she works closely with the Center’s senior management team on sustainability-related projects. “We do a lot of staff training,” she says. “We have two all-staff meetings a year. We have a sustainability team.”
Rowland says having a full-time sustainability coordinator allows OCC to “dig deeper” and “push the envelope” when it comes to sustainability.
Extensive Waste Recycling Effort
OCC is the largest convention center in the Pacific Northwest and includes two grand ballrooms, 50 meeting rooms and 255,000 square feet of contiguous exhibit space. Sustainability has been top of mind for years. OCC offers an extensive waste recycling, composting and food donation program. A lot of OCC’s waste management success is because of the dedication of setup staff, Rowland says. “We also have great containers that we are using. We have a standard procedure for signage and communicating with decorating. We try really hard to seek out opportunities for recycling. We are fortunate being in the Northwest.”
Composting began back of house in 2008 and moved to front of house last year. About six to eight tons of food waste each week is composted. In 2013 more than 20 tons of food was donated.
OCC went through two major lighting retrofits in 2011 and 2013, representing 70 percent of lighting fixtures. Building retro-commissioning and HVAC upgrades have enhanced energy efficiency. Additional lighting retrofits are being considered and OCC is in the process of putting together an RFP for solar panels.
Storm water is managed through an innovative rain garden. “It is on the southern end of our building and filters water from half of the roof space,” Rowland says. “It slows down the water and allows it to be absorbed and cleaned. We are looking at additional storm water features for the other side of our building.”
OCC saves more than 1.2 million gallons each year by using dual flush water closets, high-efficiency urinals and low-flow faucets.
Emphasis on Supporting Local Businesses
Additional initiatives at OCC address community engagement and local sourcing. OCC’s coffee vendor is so close that coffee is delivered by bicycle.
Rowland, who grew up in Southern California and who has volunteered with the Surfrider Foundation, earned her undergrad degree from the University of Oregon in Environmental Studies and her Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Portland State University.
When asked what she enjoys most about her work, she said, “The engagement with staff on a one-to-one level to help create change. Also, building relationships.”
Go to the Oregon Convention Center.
Glenn Hasek can be reached at editor@greenlodgingnews.com.
