MGM Resorts International has coupled with the Convene Green Alliance (CGA), uniting one of the major players in the U.S. meetings and convention industry with a prominent environmental organization.
The newest enrollment pushes total membership for the organization to more than 900 association and industry partners.
The CGA is a grassroots, industry initiative spearheaded by several high-profile associations which seek to effect positive environmental practices through national, regional and local outreach and education.
The partnership adds dimension to the exchange of expertise within the green meetings and conventions business, and helps set a larger stage to share best practices for environmental sustainability in Las Vegas.
“As a leader in providing world class hospitality and entertainment, our company is committed to environmental stewardship,” said Chris Brophy, VP, Energy/Environmental Services for MGM Resorts International.
A powerful example of MGM Resorts’ sustainability efforts is the design and construction of CityCenter in Las Vegas, which is the world’s largest environmentally sustainable, mixed-use development to achieve the U.S. Green Building council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) gold certification. CityCenter, featuring ARIA Resort and Casino as its centerpiece, opened on the Las Vegas Strip in late 2009.
“In 2005, when CityCenter was being developed, our company’s top management envisioned a city of the future,” said Brophy. “One common element that we stressed in working with our architects was that the city of the future would need to incorporate environmental sustainability into the campus and into our everyday operations.”
MGM Resorts’ environmental programs are managed in five areas; including energy and water savings, sustainable design and construction, efficient waste management, environmentally friendly procurement programs, and an extensive education program about green initiatives for employees, guests, and the surrounding communities.
For example, the company aggressively pursued initiatives to reduce electricity consumption by more than 50 million kilowatt hours (kWh) annually, the equivalent to taking 4,167 average U.S. homes off the electricity grid.
In the waste management area, MGM Resorts has taken the burden of recycling away from guests, allowing them to put trash in common waste receptacles. MGM then does all the recycling behind the scenes with a crew that sorts recyclable items.
For example, more than 90 percent of waste in the 1.7 million square foot convention center at Mandalay Bay is diverted from landfills.
Richard Harper, senior VP of sales for MGM Resorts International, says the company is pleased to join CGA.
“We are very impressed with the potential that this new relationship with CGA offers,” said Harper. “We look forward to exploring new horizons in sustainability for the meetings and convention industry.”
“MGM Resorts International is an innovative pioneer for environmental programs in the hospitality industry,” said Tracey Messina Buonforte, CGA executive director. “We are thrilled to have this leader in sustainability as a new member.”
