For Immediate Release: April 22, 2019

SPECTRA: Atlantic City Convention Center Awarded LEED Building Certification

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Spectra, the provider of Venue Management and Food Services & Hospitality to the Atlantic City Convention Center, has announced today that the venue has been awarded LEED GOLD certification.  The LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) rating system, developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), is the foremost program for buildings, homes, and communities that are designed, constructed, maintained, and operated for improved environmental and human health performance.  

More than 92,200 commercial and institutional projects are currently participating in LEED, comprising more than 2.2 million square feet of construction space in all 50 states and 167 countries and territories.   

“The Atlantic City Convention Center’s LEED certification demonstrates tremendous green building leadership,” said Mahesh Ramanujam, President and CEO, USGBC. “LEED was created to make the world a better place and revolutionize the built environment by providing everyone with healthy, green and high performing buildings. The Atlantic City Convention Center serves as a prime example of how the work of innovative building projects can use local solutions to make a global impact on the environment.”   

Jim Wood, President and CEO for Meet AC added, “Achieving LEED certification is a market differentiator that will position the Atlantic City Convention Center in a leading group of venues across the country that value sustainability and its positive impact on the visitor experience, environment, and financial returns. The certification will be an important talking point when vying for new business at the convention center.”  

In the past year, strategies that helped improve Atlantic City Convention Center’s environmental performance in preparation for LEED recertification, including LED lighting retrofits, close alignment of equipment operations with scheduled shows, ongoing preventative maintenance activities, restroom renovation designs that include installation of low-flow plumbing fixtures, and the start of a robust recycling program.   

“We appreciate the commitment the CRDA has made to the Convention Center through their funding of energy efficient capital projects,” said Spectra’s Jason Resetar, Assistant General Manager and Director of Facilities at the Atlantic City Convention Center. “Every department here at the venue was vested in this goal and without their dedication, especially from Christopher Kane, Lead Engineer and Matthew Butler, Lead Electrician, this certification would not be possible.” 

Here are some statistics that helped the Atlantic City Convention Center earn the Gold certification:

• In 2018, over 2.9 million kWh of electricity were produced from the venue’s rooftop solar panels. This is the Equivalent of powering 250 homes for one year! The total solar generation equated to roughly 13% of the building’s total energy for the year.
• Reduction of lighting loads by nearly 63% by retrofitting the facility with new LEDs.
• Reduction of water usage by 20% with installation of new low flush valves in the venue’s 32 restrooms.
• Improved operating efficiency of climate controls during changing seasons.
• Efficient operation of lighting and HVAC systems to minimize their use during non-peak times.
• Over 158.2 tons of recycled materials diverted from landfills in 2018.
• 9,583 lbs. of lamps, ballasts, batteries, and electronics were recycled.

“Strong energy performance made LEED GOLD certification achievable. By closely aligning HVAC and lighting operations with event schedules, the engineering and electrical teams have significantly reduced the facility’s carbon footprint and operating costs,” noted Josh Berengut of Breea, Spectra’s LEED consultant.  

Specifically, the LED Lighting Retrofit was a capital improvement project completed in 2018 that removed all metal-halide lighting from our exhibit halls and replaced them with LED light fixtures throughout 486,600 sq. ft. of exhibition space. The LED's offer more light while using less electricity, which is more energy-efficient and leads to saving money.  Retrofitting the facility with new LEDs is a practical decision because the project will pay for itself with the money it saves on electricity.  Overall, replacing 1,923 of the previous light fixtures with 475 new LEDs will reduce the convention center's lighting loads for an 8-hour day from 769,000 watts to 285,000 watts.  The lamp life has also increased from an average lamp life of 20,000 hours to 70,000 hours, reducing maintenance costs.  The project also qualifies for a significant rebate from the New Jersey Clean Energy Program.
“Having energy proficient buildings has been a long-term goal of the CRDA,” Executive Director Matt Doherty said. “We continue to work closely with our building management partner, Spectra, to ensure we are operating our buildings in the most efficient and effective manner.”  

Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall and the Atlantic City Convention Center are owned and funded by the New Jersey Casino Reinvestment Development Authority (CRDA). Spectra provides both Venue Management and Food Services & Hospitality to Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall and the Atlantic City Convention Center.

 

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About Spectra
Spectra is an industry leader in hosting and entertainment, partnering with clients to create memorable experiences for millions of visitors every year. Spectra’s unmatched blend of integrated services delivers incremental value for clients through several primary areas of expertise: Venue Management, Food Services & Hospitality, and Partnerships. Learn more at SpectraExperiences.com. Follow Spectra on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn.

 

About Meet AC
Meet AC, Inc. is a 501(c)(6) organization formed and funded as a public-private partnership by the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority (CRDA) to create economic development through conventions, sporting events, film production and group tourism. Meet AC focuses on three primary objectives: sales, marketing and services.

For complete Atlantic City tourism and convention information, visit www.meetac.com. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

 

About the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority
The only agency of its kind nationwide, the CRDA has used Atlantic City casino reinvestments as a catalyst for meaningful, positive improvement in the lives of New Jersey residents since 1984.  Under the 2011 Tourism District Act, the Authority's mission evolved from statewide projects to becoming the state's key economic development agency for Atlantic City.  CRDA's expanded responsibilities now include land use regulation, tourism marketing and clean and safe initiatives. The CRDA also oversees Historic Boardwalk Hall (the leading entertainment venue of its size in the country) and the Atlantic City Convention Center.  In total, CRDA has invested nearly $2 billion in more than 400 projects statewide, of which $1.8 billion has been invested in Atlantic City, spurring business investments and expansions, and creating permanent jobs in the process. For more information about CRDA and our projects, visit www.njcrda.com.  Follow us on Facebook at Facebook.com/njcrda  and Twitter at www.twitter.com/njcrda.  

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