Events Industry Council Recognizes McCormick Place and Miami Beach Convention Center for Achieving Sustainability Event Standards Certification

Oak View Group-managed properties reach Silver Level Certification for environmental and social responsibility

WASHINGTON, D.C. (08 October 2024) – The Events Industry Council announced today that two Oak View Group-managed (OVG) venues—Chicago’s McCormick Place and the Miami Beach Convention Center—have achieved Silver Level Certification to EIC’s Sustainable Event Standards. These are the first OVG-managed properties certified as part of a partnership with EIC to certify its entire portfolio of more than 60 venues in a phased approach.

“We are incredibly proud to announce that our first two properties have achieved certification through the Events Industry Council’s Sustainable Event Standards,” said Greg O’Dell, President of Venue Management, Oak View Group. “These certifications reflect our dedication to creating greener, more responsible event spaces, and we look forward to certifying all our properties as part of our broader sustainability mission.”

The EIC Sustainable Event Standards have been created through a global collaborative process with participation from subject matter experts in all sectors. They provide a framework for collaboration, a strong focus on guidance and metrics so that event professionals, at all stages of their sustainability journey, have the support needed to implement and measure sustainable practices. To date, more than 300 professionals have participated in the review of the standards.

Oak View Group—the global leader in sustainable venue operations—partnered with EIC to deepen its commitment to sustainability and better support the green meeting and exhibition aspirations of its clients and partners. Co-founded by OVG, the GOAL platform (Green Operations & Advanced Learning) played a key role in helping each venue reach their sustainability objectives, through best practice sharing, data collection, measurement tools, and on-site consulting and analysis.

“We congratulate Oak View Group on the certification of these first two convention centers,” said Amy Calvert, Chief Executive Officer of the Events Industry Council. “Their leadership and dedication to sustainability reflect the kind of forward-thinking practices that are essential to the future of our industry. Oak View Group, McCormick Place and the Miami Beach Convention Center are modeling the way forward for our industry in terms of sustainability, innovation and support for the communities, customers and partners they serve. We are excited to see them achieve this milestone as they continue their journey toward certifying all their properties.”

The EIC standard specifies performance criteria in the areas of organizational management, marketing, communications, and engagement, climate action, water management, materials and circularity, supply chain management, diversity, equity, and inclusion, accessibility, and social impact.

The Alliance for Audited Media, a not-for-profit auditing organisation, performed the independent third-party certification of both centers’ compliance with the Integrated Property standard.

"The certification of Oak View Group’s venues reflects their commitment to sustainability and the industry," said Richard Murphy, CEO, president and managing director of the Alliance for Audited Media. "We applaud Oak View Group for taking this significant step, which not only showcases their dedication to sustainable business practices but also sets a high standard for the entire industry."

As the largest convention center in North America, McCormick Place Convention Center takes pride in being at the forefront of green meetings and events with many firsts in innovative strategies for sustainable event management. Reducing environmental impact requires collaboration and cooperation with partners and the community, including ongoing efforts between the Metropolitan Pier & Exposition Authority (MPEA), Oak View Group, OVG Hospitality, and sub-contractors to design and implement a robust sustainability program that supports the convention center and the events it hosts.

“We are honored to receive this certification,” said Larita Clark, CEO of MPEA, owner of McCormick Place. “McCormick Place’s commitment to sustainability is long-standing. I am very proud of our team as they continue to raise the bar and grateful to the Events Industry Council for their expertise and support.”

Current McCormick Place sustainability focus areas include operating the largest farm-to-fork rooftop garden in the Midwest; an onsite non-profit partnership committed to food rescue; offsetting 100% of electricity usage with certified wind renewable energy certificates; protecting migratory birds; and supporting community engagement and education efforts.

Following a $640-million-dollar reimagination in 2020, the award-winning Miami Beach Convention Center has been recognized as a top tier convention center, and with 1.4 million square feet of event space, it is the second largest in Florida. The venue’s strong commitment to sustainable business practices, social impact, and green building features sets a new standard for meetings and conventions. The MBCC also holds the Certified Autism Center designation (IBCCES) and the US Green Building Council's LEED Silver certification.

“Achieving the EIC Silver Certificate is a testament to the dedication of our entire team, who have tirelessly worked to meet and exceed the rigorous standards set by the EIC,” said Freddie Peterson, OVG’s General Manager of the Miami Beach Convention Center, owned by the City of Miami Beach. “In close collaboration with the City of Miami Beach, the GMCVB, and all our venue and contract partners, we are committed to pushing the boundaries of what is possible, integrating sustainability into every aspect of our business, and inspiring positive change within our industry. Sustainability is crucial not only for the health of our planet but also for the well-being of future generations."

Key pillars of MBCC's sustainability efforts include energy efficiency, recycling and waste reduction, food waste reduction, food donation and composting, onsite herb & vegetable garden, community involvement and volunteering.

Contacts:
For all EIC media enquiries, additional comment and request for interviews, please contact Steve Dobbins, Events Industry Council

Tel: +1 323 578 2671 / Email: media@eventscouncil.org

Teri Washington, Oak View Group / Email: twashington@oakviewgroup.com
Ariane Hiltebrand, Miami Beach Convention Center / Email: ariane.hiltebrand@oakviewgroup.com
Julia Yob, McCormick Place / Email: jyob@mccormickplace.com

ABOUT EVENTS INDUSTRY COUNCIL
The Events Industry Council’s global federation includes 33 Association Members representing 103,500 individuals and 19,500 entities, and 22 Corporate Members with global operations and event teams in countries around the world.

EIC is the global champion for event professionals and event industry excellence. It promotes high standards and professionalism in the events industry with the Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) programme and signature programme activities. The CMP credential is recognised globally as the badge of excellence in the events industry. The qualifications for certification are based on professional experience, education and a rigorous exam. Learn more at www.eventscouncil.org.

ABOUT OAK VIEW GROUP
Oak View Group (OVG) is the global leader in live experience venue development, management, premium hospitality services, and 360-degree solutions for a collection of world-class-owned venues and a client roster of arenas, stadiums, convention centers, music festivals, performing arts centers, and cultural institutions. Founded by Tim Leiweke and Irving Azoff in 2015, OVG is the leading developer of major new venues either open or under development across four continents. Visit OakViewGroup.com, and follow OVG on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X.

ABOUT THE ALLIANCE FOR AUDITED MEDIA
The Alliance for Audited Media delivers impartial, credible media data to help media buyers buy and sellers sell. In 2023 AAM merged with BPA Worldwide to become the largest not-for-profit media auditing organization dedicated to increasing trust and assurance across media channels. AAM provides third-party event audits to verify registration, attendance and demographic data, and is an official certifier to the Events Industry Council’s (EIC) Sustainable Events Standards (SES) and ISO Management Systems standards. To learn how AAM brings trust and transparency to today’s media ecosystem, visit auditedmedia.com.

ABOUT MCCORMICK PLACE
McCormick Place is the premier convention facility in North America. Located just minutes from downtown Chicago, approximately three million visitors each year attend events at McCormick Place. Home to some of the largest and most attended conventions, meetings, and tradeshows in the world, McCormick Place was designed as one of the first purpose-built convention centers in the United States and is the largest and most flexible convention center in North America. The McCormick Place campus is a convention center campus comprised of the North Building, South Building, East Building “Lakeside Center,” West Building, and the 10,000 seat Wintrust Arena. For more information, please visit: www.mccormickplace.com.

ABOUT THE MIAMI BEACH CONVENTION CENTER AND CAMPUS
Re-imagined following a $640-million-dollar renovation, the award-winning MBCC includes a new 60,000 square-foot Grand Ballroom, four junior ballrooms, almost 500,000 sq. ft. of exhibition space, an expanded Grand Lobby, pre-function areas that are bathed in natural light, up to 84 breakout rooms, approximately 800 roof deck parking spaces, almost 2,100 miles of cabling to support all IT communications, $10.2 million dollars’ worth of art curated by the City of Miami Beach Art in Public Places program and a six-acre (Pride Park) and three-acre (Collins Canal Park) public green spaces that can serve as incremental event space. The MBCC Campus includes two new event spaces: Venu, a space for elegant private events and upscale meetings, and Rum Room, a 1920s restaurant with an enticing tapas-style menu and local South Florida rums. The MBCC is proud to have earned Global Biorisk Advisory Council® (GBAC) STAR™ Facility Accreditation, and LEED® Silver Certification. More information about the MBCC’s sustainability programs and fact sheet can be found at www.miamibeachconvention.com/sustainability.