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!

 To read more on this story check out:
@Kcorner's article on Mlive
Press Release from Department of Energy, Labor & Economic Growth

LEEDing the Way: Gilmore Unplugged

What special event involves soothing acoustic music, fine cuisine, and candle light?
Anniversary? Birthday? Maybe Valentines Day?

How about EARTH DAY!

In Celebration of Earth day, The Gilmore Collection will be reducing their Carbon footprint for an entire weekend by turning of the lights, playing live non-amplified music, and serving sustainable entrees made from locally grown organic ingredients.

"The Gilmore Collection has always made efforts to support and buy local. With Earth day around the corner we wanted to try something different to reduce our Carbon footprint," says Matt Dowdy, Creative Director at The Gilmore Collection.

Come dine in the dark at Gilmore Unplugged from April 22 - April 26 at the following Gilmore restaurants:

The B.O.B 20 Monroe Ave, Grand Rapids, MI - 616.356.2000
Mangiamo! 1033 Lake Drive, Grand Rapids, MI - 616.742.0600
The Kirby House 2 Washington, Grand Haven, MI - 616.846.8299
Blue Water Grill 5180 Northland Dr, Grand Rapids, MI - 616.363.5900
Ottawa Tavern 151 Ottawa, Grand Rapids, MI - 616.451.8000
Rose's 550 Lakeside Drive, East Grand Rapids, MI - 616.458.1122
Red Jet Cafe 1431 Plainfield Ave, Grand Rapids, MI - 616.719.5500
The Thornapple 445 Ada Drive, Ada, MI - 616.676.1233
Flat River Grill 201 East Main, Lowell, MI - 616.897.8523

See you there!