The Vancouver Convention Centre is the recipient of the Canadian Association for Exposition Management’s (CAEM) 2018 Give Back Award, which recognises a member organisation that has contributed to the enhancement of their community within the past year.
“We hope this award shines light on the amazing local charities we work with and that our partnerships with them, along with our efforts in sustainability, will inspire others to make a difference in their communities,” said Craig Lehto, general manager, Vancouver Convention Centre.
“The Give Back Award is awarded to a member organisation who demonstrates that corporate social responsibility, and giving back to their community is an integral part of doing business,” said Jennifer Allaby, CAEM president.
The centre features two connected buildings with a combined total of 43,340sqm of flexible meeting, exhibition, ballroom and plenary space.
The Vancouver Convention Centre has a strong corporate social responsibility programme, with partnerships with several local charities committed to supporting communities in Vancouver’s inner city. One such partnership is with United We Can, a local organisation that creates self-sustaining social enterprises with a focus on environmental sustainability, while creating income and job training opportunities for people with multiple barriers to traditional employment.
The Convention Centre, through its hospitality partner Centerplate, donates 100 per cent of its beverage recyclables to United We Can’s recycling depot. In the last year alone, the facility donated 241,246 bottles and containers, valuing over $20,000. Furthermore, the Convention Centre earned its second Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum certification for Existing Buildings: Operations and Maintenance (version 4). This achievement required a rigorous effort to build on the sustainable performance of the facility in the areas of waste management, energy efficiency, indoor water use reduction, and facility maintenance and renovations, among others.
The facility also works with event organisers to ensure goods and materials left from events are donated to local charities or community groups for re-purposing. To date, goods have been donated to: Vancouver Public Library; Vancouver Orphaned Kitten Rescue Association; Vancouver Food Bank Society; Union Gospel Mission; First United Church; Salvation Army; and social enterprises, like Common Thread.
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