Smart Meetings

What's Distinctive?

Sustainable practices are at the heart of SMG's management of the Moscone Center. In the following text, we have outlined the many areas in which the Moscone Center strives to achieve greater resource efficiency and sustainability. The intent of sustainable programs is to promote and support operational and business practices which lessen adverse environmental impact, benefit the local community and make economic sense. The success achieved at the Moscone Center is due to the close collaboration of numerous players including SMG staff, the City and County of San Francisco, show management, general and exhibitor appointed contractors, attendees, exhibitors, the Public Utilities Commission, and the ten labor unions represented at the Moscone Center. All sustainability programs are an extension of their efforts.

Recycling

The Moscone Center has long set the standard for U.S. convention centers in diverting material from the waste stream. Begun in 1998 with diversion of high volume materials from the exhibit floor and lobby areas, the program today targets materials from all areas and sources. Nearly 2 million pounds is diverted annually, with nearly 20% of that total as donations to local area non-profits.

The newest and most ambitious phase is a food composting program that captures all organic material from food service operations. While a kitchen-based program has been in place for some time, this newest phase includes capturing all food material as well as compostable serveware and utensils from all concession and catering locations throughout Moscone North, South, and West.

Resource Efficient Building Design Features

Moscone expanded to more than two million square feet in 2003 with the opening of Moscone West. The new facility incorporated important resource-efficient design features and required the tracking and reporting of all waste generated during the demolition of existing buildings on the site and the construction of the new facility. In each instance, over 80% diversion was achieved.

Moscone West incorporated an extensive program of resource-efficient design. Features include:

• High-performance glazing with low emissivity glass that exceeds Title 24 requirements, a critical element given the extensive use of glass and emphasis on natural light and maximization of views. Frit patterning at 30, 50, and 70% was used to further enhance the glass performance while assuring interior comfort levels.
• Use of the latest and most energy-efficient lighting fixtures throughout the facility, as well as use of daylight sensors to control prefunction areas.
• Mechanical systems designed to exceed Title 24 Energy Efficiency Standards include chilled water plant and cooling towers, heating water plant, air and control systems.

Air Quality

The Moscone Center places such priority on maintaining air quality that a full-time air quality technician regularly monitors and tests conditions. Program initiatives include:

• Daily monitoring of carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide, and nitrous oxide;
• Use of propane additive to reduce carbon monoxide emissions;
• Requirement for scrubbers on diesel trucks operated by service contractors;
• New rental inventory (forklifts and articulated booms);
• Vigorous enforcement of no smoking ordinance.

Energy Efficiency

One of the nation's largest municipally-owned solar generation installations now operates from the roof of the Moscone Center. With funding through a voter-approved initiative and in partnership with the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, we have completed a unique, two-part energy efficiency program. The solar component consists of a solar electrical system capable of producing enough power for 550 homes annually. This is accompanied by an extensive lighting system retrofit and related energy efficiency measures designed to reduce energy usage without diminishing interior lighting levels.

Purchasing and Contract Compliance

Policies and procedures place emphasis on sustainability in all purchasing activities. Contracts for major capital projects include provision for required tracking and reporting of diversion by material type for large scale contracts such as replacement of escalators, carpeting, and lighting fixtures.

Transportation

The Moscone Center sits in the heart of the city's urban core, with convenient access to local and regional mass transportation. It is also within close proximity of nearly 20,000 hotel rooms. SMG promotes the use of transit in all public information sources including telephone recordings and website, as well as encouraging employee participation in the Commuter Check program as a means of supporting transit use among the facility's workforce.