Rogers Centre Ottawa is expanding its event-planning options with new sustainability and wellbeing initiatives aimed at helping organizers reduce waste, lower emissions and support attendees. The new efforts include a reusable lanyard program, a sustainability-focused menu and a partnership with Ottawa Therapy Dogs.
Reusing What Events Already Need
The venue’s Lend-a-Lanyard program allows organizers to use lanyards during an event and return them afterward for reuse. More than 600 attendees took part in the program during the Canadian Paediatric Society Annual Conference 2026.
“For CPS, caring for children includes caring for their future,” said Wendy Eligh, senior manager of conference and events strategy and operations for the Canadian Paediatric Society. “Reusing lanyards through the Rogers Centre Ottawa and Ottawa Tourism’s ‘Lend-a-Lanyard’ program is a simple step toward more sustainable events.”
A Lower-Carbon Menu
Rogers Centre Ottawa also introduced a new Sustainability Menu in September. The menu highlights plant-based options across breakfast, lunch, dinner and reception service while also showing estimated carbon reductions.
For example, the center says choosing plant-based mains instead of beef for a 100-guest dinner can save an estimated 600 kilograms of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions. The venue also works with La Tablée des Chefs to redirect untouched surplus food from events to local community organizations.
Therapy Dogs Join the Event Mix
Rogers Centre Ottawa has also named Ottawa Therapy Dogs as a preferred supplier. Organizers can request trained therapy dog teams for events dealing with complex, sensitive or potentially triggering topics.
The teams are intended to help reduce stress and give attendees moments of calm during conference programming.
“We know that clients are looking for ideas that are practical, visible and straightforward to put into action, while still making a genuine difference,” said Carly Grace, vice president of sales at Rogers Centre Ottawa. Grace said the goal is to help organizers build sustainability and attendee wellbeing into events without adding unnecessary complexity.
About
Rogers Centre Ottawa is a convention center in downtown Ottawa, Canada, serving conventions, conferences, meetings and exhibitions. The venue opened in 2011 and is operated by the Ottawa Convention Centre Corporation, an agency of the Government of Ontario. For more information, visit rogers-centreottawa.ca.
Press release submitted by Soaring Worldwide on behalf of Rogers Centre Ottawa. Edited by Exhibit City News for clarity, length and style.
