Sustainability & Community
We strive to be good neighbors and stewards of the environment. Our business practices are recognized for our emphasis on environmental responsibility in operating and managing our venue. We also engage our staff and partners in supporting our community through volunteer activities and community partnerships.
Recycling & Composting
Our extensive recycling program includes use of 4-stream waste receptacles divided into paper, recyclables, trash and compost. This system lets our attendees help with the recycling process.
We do not have in-sink garbage disposal units in our in-house kitchens. Instead we compost, and our staff are trained to place all excess food scraps into our green compost bins. Our composting also comes from the food waste sorted into the compost bin on our 4-stream containers.
Clockwise from top left: The SDCC team works tirelessly to ensure we minimize waste; SDCC leadership with LEED Gold certification in 2017; Cardboard recycling
Efficiency
Our entire facility uses LED light fixtures. This has helped us lower our electricity usage and we estimate the bulbs paid for themselves in less than two years. Some additional efficiencies include low flow automatic sinks and toilets, drip irrigation for outdoor landscaping and energy-efficient dishwashers.
Material & Food Donations
Together with event organizers, we ensure that extra promotional items or event supplies do not go to waste by donating them to local organizations like schools, libraries, churches, nonprofits, shelters and more. These can be all kinds of things: pens, notepads, backpacks, books, chairs, tables and many other types of items unique to the focus of their organization.
For example, we have a partnership with our local Habitat for Humanity to pick up excess booth materials from exhibitions that can be repurposed for building homes. We love seeing this “ripple effect” out into the community!
In addition, we partner with the San Diego Rescue Mission to provide unserved food to San Diegans in need. We’re proud to be one of their top donors, giving enough food to plate more than 100,000 meals every year.
Volunteerism
As members of the hospitality industry, we enjoy serving others. This community consciousness is felt across our organization, so we support our team to participate in many volunteer initiatives in San Diego, including:
- Operation Clean Sweep, the Port Tenants Association’s San Diego Bay clean up
- Holiday help at the USO San Diego
- Walking in our local Pride Parade and Susan G Komen Race for the Cure
Building Lighting Requests
Throughout the year, we collaborate with our community by lighting our iconic Sails Pavilion in support of San Diego initiatives and awareness days. This lighting is available when the Sails Pavilion is not in use/contracted by our convention clients.
Learn more about lighting opportunities and submit a request.
