Member Spotlight: Maryland Stadium Authority & Baltimore Orioles
Alliance Blog, content provided by Maryland Stadium AuthorityA lot of exciting news has been coming out of Baltimore recently in the green sports movement!In April of 2018, the Maryland Stadium Authority (MSA) and the Baltimore Orioles announced that after a multi-year effort of research and enhancements, the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) has awarded Oriole Park at Camden Yards with Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification for an existing building. Oriole Park becomes the fourth, and the oldest, LEED Gold certified facility in Major League Baseball.
“There has always been a desire to match M&T Bank Stadium's LEED status, but there were more people to get involved between Oriole Park and the Warehouse. We had a longer way to go,” said Jana Brooks, Manager, Event and Tenant Services at Maryland Stadium Authority. “We wanted to become the first EB O&M certified complex that houses an MLB and NFL stadium. In addition, we wanted to provide a healthier work environment for our tenants and stadium partners.”Oriole Park and the accompanying B&O Warehouse, which was awarded with LEED Silver, demonstrate year-round sustainable activities and practices including waste management, recycling, paperless tickets, and reduced energy usage and electrical consumption.Strategies like these are great ways of connecting your venue’s sustainability efforts to the fans and local community. “(Fans) have responded well, but there is constant reinforcing that needs to take place between fans and employees alike as most are transient,” said Brooks.For more information visit: https://www.mdstad.com/node/967In addition to achieving LEED Status, Jana and the Maryland Stadium Authority will be hosting a “Huddle” (one-day seminar) on May 30th. The event will seek to increase awareness of the Green Sports Alliance and the International Association of Venue Managers organizations and missions, generate sustainability conversations to improve conditions in our state and region, and to showcase the Camden Yards Sports Complex sustainability and LEED certification efforts.We asked Jana Brooks to provide some information on the event:GSA: What are you featuring and focusing on in this event?JB: I am focusing on expanding the knowledge base of the operators of other venues and helping them, in any way possible, to get started on the corporate social responsibility aspect of sustainability. I want to introduce them to both organizations and how each organization's networks can assist each other with their goals.GSA: Why is it important to host and feature local content?JB: We tend to work in our own bubbles and don't overlap too much. We network at numerous events, but not too many with a sustainability focus (that I know of). I'm accepting all invitations!GSA: How do you feel about the future of the sustainability in sports and entertainment in the Baltimore area?JB: The future will get much brighter because more and more people are becoming aware of the importance of their carbon footprints and want to help the cause - world preservation. Every little bit helps and the return on investment is a huge benefit of each type of business/venue.For more information on the event, please visit: https://www.iavm.org/iavm-green-sports-alliance-host-professional-development-networking-event-may-30
