Full Report 2017 and 2018 Susty Goals for Cobo Center

Mar 5, 2018

Cobo Center upped its 2018 sustainability ante with lofty goals and inclusion of social responsibility in its Green Committee initiatives and 2017 Annual Report.

"2017 was a pivotal year for our sustainability program," said Claude Molinari, general manager of Cobo Center.  "We were recertified by the Green Meetings Industry Council (GMIC), hosted Sustainable Brands 2017, and made significant strides in our efforts on environmental and social stewardship of the Metro Detroit community."

Included in those strides were the addition of honey bee hives and an herb garden on the 10,000 square foot green roof. The bees pollinate the plants, and the herbs and honey are used in the kitchens as a highlight to locally grown ingredients used in the menus.

An Executive Green Team was formed to provide resources and guidance to the Cobo Green Committee programs, strengthening the organizational efficiency of the efforts. The team immediately launched a new marketing campaign for sustainability in Cobo Center, just in time for Sustainable Brands 2017,  called "Sustainability Lives Here." This message is broadcast over all marketing channels, including digital signage, social media, digital marketing and banners and posters in the facility.

Included this year in the annual report is the ongoing Cobo Cares program, designed to host community improvement events with Cobo volunteers, and after-work health and wellness events for staff and visitors.

"We understand the importance of both sustainable venue operations and corporate social responsibility in meeting the center's development goals," said Molinari. "Giving our employees and visitors avenues toward health and wellness contributes to the longevity of the city and center's success."

2018 Green initiatives for Cobo Center include the purchase of two portable lactation stations, a newly designed green roof observation area for visitors that includes information signage, and visitor tours of Cobo Center that include highlights of the venue's sustainable operations. 

More information on the annual report and Cobo Center green initiatives can be found here.