While it only seems like yesterday that I was elbowing my way past Raven to get to the chocolate fountain at the DailyKos party at Maggie Mae's in Austin - believe it or not there is less then two months now until Netroots Nation invades Pittsburgh PA for the 4th annual meeting of the progressive netroots community.
For 4 days, The City of Steel will continue its incredible run of hosting champions (and as a prelim to a little gathering known as the G-20) and open their many bridges to a couple of thousand DFH (and the press who loves to try to figure us out).
I was fortunate enough to get to spend some time with the great staff of NN a week ago in Pittsburgh for a planning session and I can’t believe how excited I am for the convention this year. Pittsburgh surpassed any expectations I had as a city and the facilities are incredible. Join me below for some sneak preview photos of the convention center and learn a little more about the green focus this year.
In case this is all new to you, in short from the Netroots Nation web site:
The fourth annual gathering of the Netroots will be held August 13–16 at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh, PA. Netroots Nation 2009 will include panels led by national and international experts; a progressive film screening series; practical training sessions and workshops; and the most concentrated gathering of progressive bloggers to date.
The origin of Netroots Nation is traced to a time when a tremendous and growing number of citizens gathered every day in the virtual world to raise their collective voice and proactively influence their government. That group is broadly called the Netroots and has since grown to include progressive organizations and politicians who use new media technologies to communicate with their constituents.
Even shorter, from me:
It F&%*ing Rocks!
I could go on about the great people we met in Pittsburgh (all who are very, very proud of their city) and the great neighborhoods, restaurants and bars, and I might in a future diary, but not today. Today I wanted to use this space to give you a look at the facilities where most of the action will be taking place and talk about some of the impressive green aspects.
The David L. Lawrence Convention Center was opened in 2003 and it is the "first and largest certified "green" convention center in the world and is the only meeting venue to be awarded the Gold LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) by the U.S. Green Building Council. More then just the building, the people and operation seem to be dedicated to living up to their green label. But the building is very impressive as well.
The second floor holds the large halls and Hall B will be home for our Keynotes. At over 82,000 square feet it has plenty of room as well as plenty of natural light. In fact all of the main halls are lit during the day by natural lighting and the entire facility utilizes natural lighting for 75% of its spaces.
In addition, the primary cooling utilizes air naturally cooled by the river and only kicks on mechanical cooling when the demand is high enough. Right now it looks like a big open space but I can't wait to see it with the stage and tables.
The arching cloth tubes seen above are actually the ducts that carry the air when the supplemental air-conditioning is needed. You can't see it here but for you energy efficiency geeks out there the lights in the hall are T5 fixtures.
The photo below is the concourse right outside the hall with great views, great light and plenty of room for us to use as needed.
While the second floor is a great space, most of the action this year outside the keynotes will be on the 3rd floor - starting with registration. Currently we are planning on having registration across from the Exhibitor's hall. I look forward to checking you in against the glass wall here under one of the huge skylights.
I also think the exposed architectural elements like the cables holding up the building are really cool.
This year the place to be during the day may very well be the Exhibitor's Hall. In addition to our great sponsors and exhibitors showcasing there wares, the Exhibit Hall this year will be full of surprises. (Details still being finalized - but feel free to make your guesses in the comments.)
Imagine the room below, but with a water slide in it. Oops - said too much already.
All of the Panels and breakout sessions rooms are on the 3rd floor as well. The only thing not on this floor is the flim serious which is in a theater one floor up, but what a cool room it is.
Not only is the building green but their operation is as well and they take it seriously.
But it is more then just signage and recycling containers. From their web site dedicated to these efforts, G1 (Green First)
The building was designed to reduce natural resources usage and to operate at the highest green potential. To achieve these high goals, we:
* Operate our own grey water reclamation plant.
* Use natural fresh air to ventilate and cool the building.
...
* Aggressively recycle all products including batteries and light bulbs.
* Monitor Carbon Dioxide (CO2), Carbon Monoxide (CO) and Nitrous oxide (NO2) levels inside and out.
* Purchase recyclable products and goods.
* Use indigenous plants for landscaping requiring only natural rainfall.
* Use aquifer water for makeup water in the cooling towers and for sidewalk cleaning.
...
* Use low- or no-volatile organic compounds (VOC) in paints, carpeting, adhesives and sealants.
* Use environmentally friendly cleaning products and an automatic, green-certified dilution system.
* Use of environmental friendly office supplies. Ie: motherboard clipboards w/ reuse paper, wooden refillable pens.
* Donate leftover food.
* Use china and cloth, whenever possible.
* Use biodegradable, organic products including plates, flatware and paperware.
* Purchase from the ‘Buy Fresh, Buy Local’ program.
* Compost unconsumed food and kitchen waste.
* Grow vegetables and herbs on the Center’s rooftop terrace.
* Purchase a portion of our power from Pennsylvania’s wind farms.
There are definitely some very cool and more progressive green actions on that list then we are used to seeing outside a farmer’s co-op.
Of course there is always room to do more, and I did see some evidence of lights being on when they didn't need to be, but even to this cynical eye I was very impressed. They even use the compost in their rooftop planters:
Speaking of rooftops, the outdoor spaces at this facility are definitely a real draw.
The facility invested 2 millionin various multi-media arts installations that can be found throughout the facility, including this cool LED light work on the roof.
I bet that looks amazing at night.
And the view from the roof is pretty cool as well.
Finally a look at the primary hotel, The Westin, right across the street from the Convention center, for those quick dashes back to your room for the power nap before heading out for the evening.
Less then two months to go - so register today and start making plans. I look forward to seeing you all there - so register now.
Eric