partnered with some local organizations when it comes to food that isn’t consumed here, so that we can distribute that to some of the less fortunate members of the community,” Harper explains. Coupled with the redistribution efforts, a recent partnership with Bold Reuse has also introduced reusable serveware in the Center’s food hall, “We have a large food court, so by introducing reusable service wares, we’re diverting garbage from landfills and we’re composting the leftover, so that’s a very big nod to our sustainability program as well,” Field says, referencing the Center’s near-zero waste goals. As a city department, the Convention Center also collaborates closely with Phoenix’s Public Works Department on large events, aligning efforts to minimize environmental impact. Notably, the Center has successfully supported mega-events in achieving near-zero waste goals, diverting over 90% of waste from landfills.“We had a Super Bowl recently that achieved that near-zero waste goal,” Harper proudly states. And while the environmental impact, or rather, the lack thereof, is certainly something to be proud of, these sustainability initiatives also yield other benefits. For example, the newly introduced LED lighting provides instantaneous illumination, safer travel, and significantly reduces energy consumption, enhancing the client experience. And perhaps the Center’s most notable sustainability initiative is its unique collaboration with Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego to support the dwindling monarch butterfly population. “After we got wind of the Mayor’s initiative, we partnered with one of our local partners, called Downtown Phoenix Inc., to identify the types of locations and vegetation that monarch butterflies are particularly attracted to,” Harper explains. Currently, Milkweed is the initiative’s main plant focus, and signage has been erected to identify the monarch butterfly and pollinator garden. The garden features six native plant species specifically chosen to attract monarch butterflies and other pollinators like bees, which contributes to local biodiversity. This initiative underscores the Convention Center’s commitment to environmental stewardship and its role in supporting broader ecological health. 7 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 12, ISSUE 06 PHOENIX CONVENTION CENTER
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