ASM Global Opens First All-Electric Conference Center in the Country Setting a New Standard for Sustainable Meetings and Events

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ASM Global Opens First All-Electric Conference Center in the Country Setting a New Standard for Sustainable Meetings and Events

9/11/2024
ITHACA, N.Y. – ASM Global, the world’s No. 1 development, full-service venue, and live-events company, has opened the Ithaca Downtown Conference Center (IDCC), the first fully electric conference center in the U.S. With its innovative design and commitment to eco-friendly practices, this new state-of-the-art facility represents a significant advancement in sustainable event hosting and economic development for the region.

The first fully electric conference center in the United States, IDCC meets the performance standards for the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) Commercial New Construction. It aligns with Ithaca’s Green New Deal aimed to reach community-wide carbon neutrality by 2030, as well as ASM Global Acts, the company’s social equity and global sustainability commitment.

“The opening of the Ithaca Downtown Conference Center is an exciting milestone for our community,” said Suzanne Smith Jablonski, executive director of the Downtown Ithaca Local

Development Corporation. “After 10 years of creative and innovative collaboration amongst community partners, this versatile venue redefines sustainability for meetings and events. We are grateful to all the stakeholders who shared and supported our vision for this important tourism economic development project, expected to drive nearly $150 million in new direct and induced spending in our community over the next twenty years.”

The Center’s sustainability features include an all-electric, full-production kitchen, air-source heat pumps for space heating, cooling and domestic hot water, energy-efficient lighting, a robust composting system, and an efficient recycling program. The catering menu includes a minimum of 35 percent plant-based options, promoting healthier and more sustainable dining choices. Single-use items have been eliminated, leftover prepared food is repurposed in the Center's Green on the Go retail store to minimize waste, and fryer oil is reused as fuel for sustainable practices.

Dan Hoffend, Executive Vice President, Convention Centers, ASM Global, said, “Ithaca Downtown Convention Center sets a new bar in meetings and conventions as the first all-electric convention center in the United States. We are thrilled about it being part of ASM Global’s worldwide portfolio and setting the example for the events industry. A key economic driver to the local community, it’s what’s next in sustainability and future-ready venues on the national and global scale.”

IDCC features over 15,000 square feet of flexible meeting space, including a Grand Ballroom, an Executive Boardroom, up to 12 flexible bi-level meeting rooms, trade show and pre-function space, with nature-inspired color palette and murals of the local scenery. It is steps away from the Ithaca Commons, a vibrant pedestrian mall known for its lively atmosphere and eclectic charm and offers easy access to the natural beauty of the Finger Lakes region.

Kathy Taylor, Ithaca Conference Center general manager, ASM Global, said, “As a resident of this community, I could not be more excited for the opening of this much-awaited gem. Its versatility allows us to bring a wide range of events to Ithaca and introduce their attendees to this amazing region all while showcasing true environmental responsibility and meaningful change.”

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