BALTIMORE MD – The Baltimore Convention Center has been selected as a recipient of the 2023 Venue Excellence Award. The Center was one of five venues in the nation to receive this award recognizing, the organization’s excellence in venue management and operations.
Since the closing of the COVID-19 Baltimore Convention Center Field Hospital, the organization has worked diligently to put processes in place allowing all organizers and attendees to enjoy their event safely with comfort and ease. The Center developed programs including a Clean Space Commitment, Diversion by Donation, and Food Waste Reduction to ensure our clients have extraordinary experiences throughout their visit.
The Baltimore Convention Center prioritizes giving back to the community through programs such as Diversion by Donation, 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 our 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. In 2022, the Center diverted over 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, Pennsylvania on Tuesday, August 1st. When asked what this award means for the Center, Executive Director Mac Campbell stated, "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."