Miami Beach, FL – October 23, 2023 – The Miami Beach Convention Center (MBCC), an events, meetings, conventions, and tradeshows industries leader, announces its achievement of obtaining the Events Industry Council (EIC) Foundations Certificate for Sustainability and Social Impact by the EIC Foundations Certificate Program, which grants this recognition by evaluating existing sustainability and social impact policies and plans of organizations.

The EIC Foundations Certificate Program assists organizations in launching essential sustainability policies and plans through their templates, guidance and coaching. When organizations already have sustainability policies and plans in place, the EIC Foundations Certificate Program evaluates their existing policies to find areas for improvement and growth. Participants of this program gain resources, education, and a valid 5-year certification. This program empowers organizations to create policies and provides guidance and assessments for entry-level certificates.

As part of EIC's Sustainability and Social Impact Journey, MBCC has demonstrated a rounded approach for individuals and organizations to drive positive change.

"We believe that sustainability is not just a corporate responsibility, but a fundamental obligation to our community and future generations, and the EIC Certification is evidence of our dedication." said Ariane Hiltebrand, Director of Marketing and External Relations of the MBCC. "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."

Key pillars of MBCC's sustainability efforts include:

Energy Efficiency: MBCC was built with sustainability in mind and incorporates environmentally conscious features such as their specifically designed fin-like structures that surround the building and where specifically design to reduce heat and filter natural sunlight which reduces energy consumption. The MBCC has also began the transition to high efficiency LED lighting throughout the venue. 

Recycling and Waste Reduction: The MBCC is committed to minimizing resource consumption and waste generation. Their single stream recycling program simplifies recycling for all visitors and in-house staff. In addition, in support of the City of Miami Beach’s Plastic-Free Miami Beach campaign, all plastic bottles have been replaced with aluminum cans that are recycled through their partnership with Replenysh. All leftover items from conventions and trade shows are donated to local non-profit organizations through their C.A.R.E Donations program to benefit the local community and divert waste from the landfill.

Food Waste Reduction, Food Donation and Composting: The MBCC prioritizes minimizing their food waste and has teamed up with Compost for Life, a local composting company, and have created a system that takes food waste generated from conventions and meetings and converts it into compost.

Community Engagement: Recognizing the vital role of community involvement, MBCC and its staff are actively engaged with local communities through educational initiatives with high schools and universities, volunteering efforts with homeless shelters and engaging in sustainable events such as beach clean-ups.

The MBCC is ADA-compliant and proudly holds the GBAC (Global Biorisk Advisory Council) STAR Facility Accreditation, acknowledging health and safety measures and the US Green Building Council's LEED Silver certification, aligning with the City of Miami Beach's building codes.

The convention center stands firm on its commitment to environmental accountability, amplifying through their existing sustainability policies and plans for the near future, with focus on energy efficiency, waste reduction, and diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging. These efforts aim to foster inclusivity within the center and set a standard for the industry.

More information about the MBCC’s sustainability programs and fact sheet can be found at www.miamibeachconvention.com/sustainability. The Miami Beach Convention Center is located at 1901 Convention Center Drive, Miami Beach, FL 33139.