The Metro Toronto Convention Centre has been officially presented with the Building Owners and Managers Association Building Environmental Standards (BOMA BESt) Level 3 certification . Level 3 is the second-highest level of certification available from BOMA, recognizing and rewarding environmental leadership within the commercial real estate industry. The BOMA BESt Program requires meeting best practices of energy and environmental management. With an overall rating of 89%, the MTCC has demonstrated leadership and excellence in a number of key areas including the following:

• Energy efficiency and management: for example, deep lake water cooling, retrofitting older lighting, and motion detectors in meeting rooms.
• Transportation: providing alternatives to automobile commuting such as proximity to frequent public transit, public transit subsidies, cycling facilities and lockers/change facilities.
• Water conservation and management: includes low-flow toilets and faucets and a written water conservation policy.
• Waste management: diverting 78% of all waste generated from landfill
• Emissions, effluents and pollution controls: for example, old natural gas boilers have been replaced and modernized.
• Indoor air quality: best practices in ventilation, filtration, humidification and control of pollutants at the source
• Environmental purchasing plan: a sustainable procurement policy supports local products and reducing volumes, packaging and toxicity.
• Documented environmental policy, goals, targets and action plans: exercising due diligence and compliance, as well as developing mitigation strategies and setting carbon reduction targets.

"We recognize the importance of saving energy and reducing greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change," said Barry Smith, president & CEO of the MTCC. "We're pleased to be recognized for our efforts and high standards through BOMA BESt Level 3 certification." In addition, the MTCC recently announced a suite of sustainable meeting solutions available to help event organizers reduce the environmental impact of their events: green electricity, waste diversion, locally sourced menus, carbon offsetting, community donations and paper-less options. More information about the MTCC's sustainable meeting solutions is available at www.mtccc.com/green
 
The Metro Toronto Convention Centre is Canada's No. 1 convention and trade show facility. Since its opening in 1984, the MTCC has hosted approximately 15,000 events and entertained over 40 million guests. For further information, please visit www.mtccc.com.

For further information: Tonya Lagrasta, Sustainability Coordinator, Metro Toronto Convention Centre, (416) 585-8137, tlagrasta@mtccc.com; Christine Tse, Marketing Manager, Metro Toronto Convention Centre, (416) 585-8106, ctse@mtccc.com