Washington, DC — September 14, 2023 — The Walter E. Washington
Convention Center announced today that it has been awarded LEED Gold
certification.
LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), developed by the
U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), is the most widely used green
building rating system in the world and an international symbol of
excellence. Through design, construction, and operations practices that
improve environmental and human health, LEED-certified buildings are
helping to make the world more sustainable.
_ _
“As we celebrate its 20th anniversary this year, the LEED Gold
certification proves that our building is state-of-the-art. From our
energy systems to our composting and recycling, Events DC’s Walter E.
Washington Convention Center’s facility operations continue to score
high to achieve this honor,” said Events DC President and CEO Angie M.
Gates. “Washington, DC is the first city in the world to achieve
Platinum level LEED for Cities Certification. Our new certification
shows Events DC’s, as well as the District’s, commitment to
sustainability, operational excellence, efficiency, and high-performance
design.”
_ _
The Walter E. Washington Convention Center achieved LEED v4.1 Operations
and Maintenance: Existing Buildings Gold certification for implementing
practical and measurable strategies and solutions in areas including
sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency,
materials selection and indoor environmental quality. Green buildings
allow companies to operate more sustainably and give the people inside
them a healthier, more comfortable space to work.
“LEED is a transformative tool that can be used and adapted for all
kinds of projects, including large convention centers like the Water E.
Washington Convention Center. The Center has been a landmark in the
nation’s capital for the last 20 years, and its certification
symbolizes a dedicated pledge to reduce its environmental footprint,
showcasing a resolute commitment to sustainability to its staff,
visitors and the wider community in the District of Columbia” said
Peter Templeton, president and CEO, USGBC.
The Convention Center uses a variety of sustainable strategies. For
example, low-emission glass minimizes temperature fluctuations, as well
as sensor-controlled high-efficiency lighting and a dedicated energy
management system in its central plant, contribute to significant energy
conservation. Highly efficient bathroom fixtures reduce the demand for
water supply and waste systems. Paint, adhesives, sealants, and similar
building materials contain low to no volatile organic compounds.
The Convention Center also has an extensive waste diversion program with
a strong focus on education, to better educate the center staff, as well
as its service partners. A waste audit was conducted to identify
opportunities to reduce waste and increase recycling and composting by
discovering exactly what the center’s staff, service partners and
guests were disposing and how they were disposing of the waste.
Certification is proof that buildings are going above and beyond to
ensure the space is constructed and operated to the highest level of
sustainability. More than 105,000 commercial and institutional projects
are currently participating in LEED, comprising more than 12 billion
square feet of construction space in all 50 states and more than 185
countries and territories.
_ _
###
About Events DC
Events DC, the official convention and sports authority for the District
of Columbia, delivers premier event services and flexible venues across
the nation’s capital. Leveraging the power of a world-class
destination and creating amazing attendee experiences, Events DC
generates economic and community benefits through the attraction and
promotion of business, athletic, entertainment, and cultural activities.
Events DC oversees the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, an anchor
of the District’s hospitality and tourism economy hosts more than
1.7 million visitors and generates more than $400 million annually in
direct economic impact and the historic Carnegie Library at Mt. Vernon
Square. Events DC manages the RFK Stadium-Armory Campus (RFK Campus),
including Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium, Festival Grounds at RFK
Campus, the non-military functions of the DC Armory, and the Skate Park
at RFK Stadium. Stay current on the 190-acre RFK Campus Redevelopment
Project at www.RFKFields.com [1]. Events DC also built and serves as
landlord for Nationals Park, the first LEED-certified major professional
sports stadium in the United States. Events DC manages Gateway DC,
R.I.S.E. Demonstration Center and Entertainment & Sports Arena all
conveniently located in the Congress Heights neighborhood of Washington,
DC. For more information, please visit www.eventsdc.com [2] and find us
on social media – Facebook, Instagram and YouTube (Events DC), and
Twitter (@TheEventsDC) — and on our new hub for on-demand event
programming on GATHER by Events DC at www.gatherbyeventsdc.com [3]
About the U.S. Green Building Council
The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) is committed to a healthy,
resilient, and equitable future for all through the development of green
buildings, cities, and communities. For more than 20 years, USGBC has
been advancing green building practices through the development of LEED,
the world’s most widely used green building program. With the support
of thousands of members, volunteers, and partners, USGBC provides robust
green building education courses, a rigorous professional credentialing
program, and advocates for effective public policies. It convenes an
international network of green building and sustainability leaders
through the annual Greenbuild International Conference & Expo, and
forward-thinking programs, including the Center for Green Schools. For
more information, visit usgbc.org and connect on Twitter, Facebook,
Instagram and LinkedIn.
