BALTIMORE, Md. – The Baltimore Convention Center (BCC) has been awarded a 2023 Venue Excellence Award by The International Association of Venue Managers.
BCC was one of five venues in the nation to receive this award, which recognizes the organization’s excellence in venue management and operations.
Since the closing of the COVID-19 Baltimore Convention Center Field Hospital, BCC officials have worked to put processes in place allowing organizers and attendees to return and enjoy the space. The Center developed programs including a “clear space commitment” and food waste reduction.
Another program, Diversion by Donation, was created to divert waste left by tradeshows away from local landfills. Items such as furniture, tote bags, pens, notepads, building materials, and a variety of other materials are made use of by not-for-profit organizations.
“These efforts allow visitors to learn about the local community and build relationships with groups such as the Maryland Food Bank and Second Chance, Inc. while also assisting in their post-show breakdowns,” a BCC news release states. In 2022, the center diverted more than 149 tons of resources by working with patrons including the Mid-Atlantic Nursery Tradeshow, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, and the Asian American Hotel Owners Association.
The International Association of Venue Managers will be honoring the Baltimore Convention Center at VenueConnect in Pittsburg, Pa., on Tuesday, Aug. 1. When asked what this award means, BCC executive director Mac Campbell states, “The impact the BCC has on our local partners gives weight to our diversion strategies. Donating food and helpful supplies makes a change in our resident’s lives making our programs much more than data on a page.”
