Black Meetings & Tourism - Las Cruces Convention Center Awarded LEED Gold Certification

Greening of Hospitality Industry
Las Cruces Convention Center Awarded LEED Gold Certification
TheLas Cruces Convention Center has achieved a certification status of Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). To help achieve Gold status, several approaches were used throughout the design and construction process. They include the installation of a solar photovoltaic system in the parking area; the purchase of Green Power, electricity produced from solar, wind, geothermal, biogas, biomass, and low-impact small hydroelectric sources; use of water-efficient landscaping; procuring low emission and recycled materials; fabricating wood trusses; access to alternative transportation; maximization of open space; optimization of energy performance; and innovation in Green design. "The Las Cruces Convention Center is one of only two gold certified convention centers in New Mexico," said Convention & Visitors Bureau Interim Executive Director Jennifer Bales. "With such a strong emphasis placed on holding 'green' meetings, Las Cruces now offers meeting planners another great option in New Mexico." Design of the Las Cruces Convention Center began September, 2007 and construction concluded in December 2010. Overall size of the Las Cruces Convention Center is 55,000 sq. ft. Features include a 14,500-sq. ft. exhibition hall, 8,900-sq. ft. ballroom, six breakout rooms totaling more than 2,800 sq. ft., 5,000 sq. ft. of outdoor event space and 8,500 sq. ft. of indoor pre-function space. "Las Cruces is fortunate to have the leadership and foresight via the mayor and city council to achieve high levels of expectations when it comes to design and construction of City facilities," said Las Cruces Assistant City Manager Brian Denmark. "I am proud of the fact that due to the construction of a solar photovoltaic system, the purchase of green power among other LEED attributes, the convention center was able to achieve gold certification." The USGBC established the certification program in March, 2000 for the purposes of encouraging and promoting various aspects of green building design, construction, operations, and maintenance. For more information about the Las Cruces Convention Center, contact the Convention & Visitors Bureau at (575) 541-2150 or cfaivre@las-cruces.org. Nestled in the Mesilla Valley between the Rio Grande River and Organ Mountains, Las Cruces, New Mexico is quickly becoming a popular southwestern destination. Visitors can experience 72 holes of spectacular year-round golf and world- class Mexican food. Las Cruces blends a unique variety of special events, attractions, culture and historical sites, as well as superb weather, with 350 days of sunshine per year. For more information on all Las Cruces has to offer, contact the Las Cruces Convention & Visitors Bureau at (575) 541-2150 or visit www.StaySunny.org.

Greening of Hospitality Industry

Las Cruces Convention Center Awarded LEED Gold Certification

TheLas Cruces Convention Center has achieved a certification status of Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).

To help achieve Gold status, several approaches were used throughout the design and construction process. They include the installation of a solar photovoltaic system in the parking area; the purchase of Green Power, electricity produced from solar, wind, geothermal, biogas, biomass, and low-impact small hydroelectric sources; use of water-efficient landscaping; procuring low emission and recycled materials; fabricating wood trusses; access to alternative transportation; maximization of open space; optimization of energy performance; and innovation in Green design.

"The Las Cruces Convention Center is one of only two gold certified convention centers in New Mexico," said Convention & Visitors Bureau Interim Executive Director Jennifer Bales. "With such a strong emphasis placed on holding 'green' meetings, Las Cruces now offers meeting planners another great option in New Mexico."

Design of the Las Cruces Convention Center began September, 2007 and construction concluded in December 2010. Overall size of the Las Cruces Convention Center is 55,000 sq. ft. Features include a 14,500-sq. ft. exhibition hall, 8,900-sq. ft. ballroom, six breakout rooms totaling more than 2,800 sq. ft., 5,000 sq. ft. of outdoor event space and 8,500 sq. ft. of indoor pre-function space.

"Las Cruces is fortunate to have the leadership and foresight via the mayor and city council to achieve high levels of expectations when it comes to design and construction of City facilities," said Las Cruces Assistant City Manager Brian Denmark. "I am proud of the fact that due to the construction of a solar photovoltaic system, the purchase of green power among other LEED attributes, the convention center was able to achieve gold certification."

The USGBC established the certification program in March, 2000 for the purposes of encouraging and promoting various aspects of green building design, construction, operations, and maintenance. For more information about the Las Cruces Convention Center, contact the Convention & Visitors Bureau at (575) 541-2150 or cfaivre@las-cruces.org.

Nestled in the Mesilla Valley between the Rio Grande River and Organ Mountains, Las Cruces, New Mexico is quickly becoming a popular southwestern destination. Visitors can experience 72 holes of spectacular year-round golf and world- class Mexican food. Las Cruces blends a unique variety of special events, attractions, culture and historical sites, as well as superb weather, with 350 days of sunshine per year. For more information on all Las Cruces has to offer, contact the Las Cruces Convention & Visitors Bureau at (575) 541-2150 or visit www.StaySunny.org.