The Baltimore Convention Center (BCC) is proud to announce the release of its 2024 Sustainability Report, detailing the organization’s progress in environmental responsibility, social impact, and sustainability initiatives. The report highlights key achievements over the past calendar year and reaffirms the Center’s commitment to sustainability.  

“Our 2024 sustainability outcomes are a testament to our unwavering commitment to environmental stewardship and innovation,” said Mac Campbell, CVP, Executive Director of the Baltimore Convention Center. “By surpassing our diversion goals and integrating advanced energy monitoring solutions like SkySpark, we are now able to provide impact and data to our customers in ways few destinations can.” 

Baltimore Convention Center

Over the last year, the BCC has remained steadfast in its commitment to sustainability, continuously implementing innovative strategies to reduce environmental impact while enhancing operational efficiency. Guided by a comprehensive sustainability framework, the BCC prioritizes waste diversion, energy efficiency, water conservation, and local sourcing to minimize its carbon footprint. The Center set ambitious goals, including achieving higher waste diversion rates, expanding renewable energy integration, and maintaining its certification under the Events Industry Council Sustainable Event Standards. By leveraging advanced energy monitoring systems like SkySpark, fostering partnerships with local businesses, and enhancing community engagement through donation programs, the BCC set a new benchmark for the venue in 2024.

“We’re incredibly grateful for our clients who go the extra mile to plan their events with sustainability in mind,” continued Campbell. “Their thoughtful choices and shared commitment to the environment make a lasting impact—not just within these walls, but across our community and industry.” 

In 2024, the BCC achieved a 51.31% waste diversion rate, surpassing its original goal of 35%. The Center’s events generated 590.81 tons of waste, with 303.15 tons successfully diverted from landfills. Additionally, the Diversion by Donation program placed 95.27 tons of furniture, materials, and supplies into the hands of Baltimore region non-profits and reuse programs.  

Furthering its environmental impact, the Baltimore Convention Center prevented 52,413 plastic water bottles from entering landfills in 2024, adding to a cumulative total of 319,928 bottles saved since 2021. The Center also continues to support regional businesses by sourcing 60% of its culinary ingredients regionally, benefiting over 18 small businesses. In addition, the Alvéole Bee Program has expanded to house over 40,000 honeybees across two dedicated beehives, playing a critical role in urban pollination efforts.  

The Convention Center also achieved Silver-level certification under the Events Industry Council Sustainable Event Standards, demonstrating excellence in energy efficiency, waste reduction, and sustainable purchasing practices. Led by Director of Operations Tyler DeBella, the Center’s Green Team Council played an integral role in earning this recognition.   

“Our team’s dedication to sustainability has been truly inspiring,” said DeBella. “We are committed to pushing these initiatives even further and have set our sights on achieving a higher certification level in 2025.”  

As part of its long-term sustainability goals, the Center continues to integrate cutting-edge energy monitoring systems, enhance its water conservation efforts, and foster stronger partnerships with local sustainability organizations.  

The full 2024 Sustainability Report is available online, detailing all of the Convention Center’s sustainability efforts and future plans.  

The New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center (NOENMCC) announces Elaine Williams, CMP, CEM-AP, Chief Commercial Officer, has been named to New Orleans CityBusiness’ prestigious “Power List: Tourism & Hospitality 2025.”
 
This quarterly feature by New Orleans CityBusiness highlights some of the most influential professionals in the New Orleans-area tourism and hospitality sector. Williams’ selection echoes her exceptional leadership, strategic vision and steadfast commitment to advancing both the local New Orleans economy and the broader events industry.
 
With a career spanning over 25 years, Williams has played a pivotal role in transforming the Convention Center into a top-tier destination for national and international events. Since beginning her tenure in 1996, she has held a variety of leadership roles, culminating in her current position as Chief Commercial Officer, where she oversees strategic initiatives focused on revenue generation, client engagement and long-term growth.
 

NOENMCC Chief Commercial Officer Elaine Williams, CMP, CEM-AP

“This recognition is fully deserved. Elaine’s contributions to the Convention Center and the industry at large have been nothing short of transformative,” said Alita Caparotta, Interim President and CEO of the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. “Her leadership, professionalism, and dedication to innovation make her an invaluable asset not only to our organization but to the entire New Orleans hospitality community.”
 
Williams has earned numerous accolades throughout her career, including being named one of Eventex’s “100 Most Influential Venue Professionals” and one of New Orleans CityBusiness’ “Women of the Year” in 2024. She holds the Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) and Certified in Exhibition Management–Advanced Professional (CEM-AP) credentials. She actively serves on the board of International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE) and is also on the Board of Governors for the International Association of Venue Managers’ Senior Executive Symposium. She is currently pursuing a Certified Venue Executive (CVE) designation by the International Association of Venue Managers.
 
Williams extends her leadership beyond the workplace through community service and mentorship, currently serving on the 2025 Development/Marketing Committee for Catholic Charities Archdiocese of New Orleans and on the Advisory Board for the Warren Easton High School Academy of Hospitality and Tourism.
 
“I’m incredibly honored to be recognized alongside so many talented leaders who are shaping the future of tourism in New Orleans,” said Williams. “This city has given me so much throughout my career, and I’m proud to continue contributing to its growth and vibrancy through the work we do at the Convention Center.”
 
New Orleans CityBusiness’ “Power List: Tourism & Hospitality 2025” is out now—honoring those helping to shape the next era of New Orleans’ tourism economy. Elaine Williams continues to lead at the forefront of industry evolution, solidifying her role as a dynamic force within the Convention Center and across the region.

From leading major event operations for an NFL team to being recognized as one of Hispanic Executive’s Leading Latinas in 2025, my career has been a dynamic journey of growth, leadership, and breaking barriers in the venue and event management industry.

My time with the Las Vegas Raiders has been an incredible chapter—beginning as Director of Event Operations in 2018 and advancing to Vice President of Events in 2022. Over these years, I’ve had the privilege of overseeing high-profile events, managing large-scale operations, and ensuring an unparalleled fan and guest experience at one of the most iconic venues in sports and entertainment. The fast-paced and ever-evolving nature of this industry has continually challenged me to innovate, lead with confidence, and set new standards for excellence in event management.

Before my time in Las Vegas, my passion for events and venue operations took shape through a variety of unique and impactful roles. In 2017, I was honored to receive the 6th Man of the Year Award in the Portland Trail Blazers Revenue Department, a recognition of my contributions to the team’s overall success. That same year, I had the opportunity to serve as Team Lead for the Upstream Music Fest + Summit, where I managed a team of 11 full-time Trail Blazers staff overseeing operations across 34 venues—an experience that reinforced my ability to lead complex, multi-venue events with precision and creativity.

In 2018, I applied my operational expertise to the development of two comprehensive operations manuals for Cinerama in Seattle, WA—establishing clear frameworks for efficiency, consistency, and excellence in venue management. These experiences laid the foundation for my continued growth in the industry, giving me the tools to take on larger challenges and leadership roles.

Most recently, I was deeply honored to be named one of Hispanic Executive’s Leading Latinas for 2025—an award that celebrates Latinas who are driving change, breaking barriers, and paving the way for future generations. Representation and leadership in this industry matter, and I am proud to be part of a movement that empowers diverse voices to lead and shape the future of live events and venue management.

Reflecting on my career, IAVM’s community and the 30|UNDER|30 program have played an essential role in my professional development, providing access to invaluable mentorship, industry insights, and opportunities to connect with like-minded leaders. The relationships and knowledge I’ve gained through this network have helped me grow as a leader and continue pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in event operations.

As I look ahead, I remain committed to elevating the industry, fostering emerging talent, and championing innovation in event management. The journey so far has been remarkable, and I can’t wait to see what’s next.

In a groundbreaking move for sustainability in the live event space, Trade Show News Network (TSNN), the International Association of Venue Managers (IAVM), and Honeycomb Strategies have announced the launch of Venue Sustainalytics—a first-of-its-kind sustainability benchmarking and data intelligence platform purpose-built for venues and event organizers.

Launching officially on Earth Day, April 22, the announcement marks the start of a powerful new collaboration that aims to bring consistency, visibility, and accountability to sustainability efforts across convention centers, stadiums, arenas, performing art centers, and other live event spaces.

“This initiative is a game changer for both venues and event organizers,” said Lindsay Arell, CEO of Honeycomb Strategies. “It delivers consistent, reliable data that helps track environmental impact, benchmark progress, and guide smarter, more sustainable decisions. By standardizing how we measure and report, we not only create transparency but also unlock insights that drive meaningful progress across the live events industry.”

A Platform Built for Progress

The Venue Sustainalytics platform will:

• Offer a user-friendly online dashboard to track environmental performance
• Establish a standardized framework for data collection and reporting
• Produce an annual industry benchmarking report highlighting trends and leaders
• Provide educational resources such as toolkits, webinars, and case studies
• Celebrate excellence through a recognition and awards program

“Event organizers are eager to take action on sustainability, but the industry has lacked a consistent way to compare venues—until now,” said Danica Tormohlen, VP of Group Content, Meetings, Travel & Sports, for Informa Connect, which publishes TSNN. “By launching this data-driven resource with the first-ever industry benchmarking report, this partnership solves that gap and helps event organizers who want to align strategy with impact.”

A United Industry Effort

Each partner brings unique strengths to the collaboration:

• TSNN, the industry’s leading media platform, will drive awareness and
  recognition through editorial coverage and integration into the TSNN Awards.
• IAVM, as the association partner, will leverage its vast venue network to increase participation and incorporate benchmarking insights into member education and strategy.
• Honeycomb Strategies, a recognized sustainability consultancy, will lead the
  platform’s development, data analysis, and knowledge-sharing.

“Sustainability is no longer optional—it’s essential. Venue Sustainalytics empowers our members with the data, tools, and industry insights they will need to lead with purpose and transparency,” said Trevor Mitchell, MBA, FASAE, CAE, CDP, IAVM President & CEO. “This collaboration brings the industry together in a unified effort to drive meaningful progress, and we’re proud to support our venues in setting a higher standard for environmental responsibility.

A Long-Term Commitment

The program launches later this spring with a data collection phase running through the end of 2025. The first industry benchmarking report is expected to be released in early 2026, along with the recognition of top-performing venues through dedicated case studies and awards.

Since being recognized as an IAVM 30|UNDER|30 honoree in 2016, the trajectory of my career and personal life has been one of continuous growth, challenge, and fulfillment. Professionally, I have embraced new opportunities at every turn, earning three promotions within my organization and taking on increasing leadership responsibilities. Along this journey, I achieved my Certified Venue Professional (CVP) designation and am now in the process of applying for the prestigious Certified Venue Executive (CVE) designation—milestones that reflect my commitment to excellence in the industry.

My passion for IAVM has only deepened over the years. I was honored to serve as chair of the Universities Committee for three years, followed by a full two-year term on the Board of Directors. Today, I continue to give back to the industry by serving on the Strategic Leadership and Resource Committee, helping to shape the future of venue management. My dedication to lifelong learning has also led me to earn a Hospitality and Tourism Management Certificate from Florida Atlantic University and complete the Inclusive Excellence Cohort Program at Kennesaw State University.

One of the most rewarding aspects of my career has been fostering the next generation of venue professionals through the Night Owl program, which provides hands-on industry experience for hundreds of students each year. I recently expanded this initiative by developing the Night Owl Mentor Program, which pairs student leaders with full-time staff for personal and professional development, and launching the Night Owl Leadership Development Program, designed to bridge the gap between staff member and leader. In 2024, I was deeply honored to receive the Creative Solutions Award for Kennesaw State University’s Administration and Finance Division, recognizing the innovative programs and initiatives I have had the privilege to lead.

This past year alone has been filled with incredible professional milestones. I had the opportunity to manage the largest hard-ticket concert in our venue’s history, play a key role in our football program’s transition from FCS to FBS, and host the Argentina National Soccer Team for a week of training sessions leading up to the 2024 COPA America Tournament. Each of these experiences has reinforced my passion for the industry and the impact that well-managed venues can have on communities.

Beyond my professional journey, life has been just as exciting. Since receiving the 30|UNDER|30 award, I’ve had the joy of adopting an incredible golden retriever, Noodle; marrying my amazing wife, Greta; and, in 2024, experiencing the most transformative milestone of all—welcoming our first son, George. Becoming a parent has given me a renewed appreciation for balance, perspective, and the value of meaningful work.

On top of everything, I’ve developed a passion for running, completing five half-marathons, two full marathons, and the Walt Disney World Dopey Challenge since 2023. I’m currently training for the Marine Corps Marathon in October 2025 and the WDW Goofy Challenge in January 2026—pushing myself in new ways outside of my career.

Winning the IAVM 30|UNDER|30 award was a defining moment that opened doors, introduced me to an invaluable network of industry professionals, and reinforced my commitment to making a lasting impact in venue management. I am incredibly grateful for the opportunities, connections, and experiences that have followed, and I look forward to continuing to grow, take on new challenges, and contribute to the industry that has given me so much.