LEEDing the Way: DeVos Place, Stewards of the City

Recently, The DeVos Place achieved “Steward” level Green Venue Certification from the Michigan Department of Energy, Labor, and Economic Growth. (DELEG)

Green Venues Michigan (GVM) is a department of the DELEG that encourages entertainment venues, convention centers, and similar facilities to implement environmental initiatives and cost-saving “green” practices to conserve energy, reduce water consumption, protect air quality, reduce waste, and participate in environmentally preferred purchases.

How did they do it?  By Partnering with the GVM the Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce’s Partnership for a Sustainable Community they made the following sustainable changes to their building and operations.

• Low-flow fixtures to reduce water consumption
• Purchase of paper products using at least 30 percent recycled content
• More efficient heating, cooling, and lighting management systems
• Initiated a facility wide recycling effort

Eddie Tadlock, Assistant General Manager for DeVos Place said, “To keep pace with the growing national trend toward ‘Green Meetings,’ SMG is aggressively marketing DeVos Place as a ‘green’ facility, and the city of Grand Rapids as a Green Destination.”

 Congrats on your achievement DeVos Place and thank you for contributing to a sustainable Grand Rapids!

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Press Release from Department of Energy, Labor & Economic Growth