PCC Sustainability Report 2025

2025

SUSTAINABILITY & IMPACT REPORT

A YEAR OF SUSTAINABLE GROWTH The Phoenix Convention Center remains committed to advancing sustainability, strengthening operational efficiency, and creating meaningful impact for our community. In 2025, our team made significant progress by enhancing building performance, expanding waste reduction efforts, and deepening partnerships that support environmental stewardship and social wellbeing.

These acomplishments reflect the dedication of our staff and our shared commitment to continuous improvement.

This report highlights the progress we’ve made and serves as the foundation for developing innovative solutions that further reduce our carbon footprint and elevate sustainable practices within the events industry. We look forward to building on this momentum and continuing to shape a more resilient, efficient, and sustainable future for Phoenix.

2025

JANUARY

FEBRUARY

PCC and Aventura Catering formalized a food donation program of hot prepared food

PCC announced partnership with Bold Reuse, PepsiCo, and Aventura Catering to eliminate single-use waste

MARCH

MAY

AUGUST

PCC recognized as finalist in Circular Economy Solutions for the Arizona Forward Environmental Excellence Award

Sustainability staff earned EIC Sustainable Event Professional Certification

Published the Phoenix Convention Center Sustainability Guide

SEPTEMBER

OCTOBER

NOVEMBER

Completed three ADA assessments of PCC facilities

82% of PCC staff contributed $15,000 to Phoenix non-profits

Repurposed and donated over 100 pieces of old PCC furniture and office supplies

ACHIEVEMENTS

The Phoenix Convention Center is proud to partner with local organizations to ensure materials and food leftover from events at our facility find a new life in the community.

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT The Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), established in 2015, serve as a guiding framework for the Phoenix Convention Center to align its operations and event management practices with global standards for social, environmental, and economic sustainability.

SDG 1: NO POVERTY Provides employees up to $7,500 annually for professional development and tuition, and supports broader charitable giving and community service initiatives.

WATER SANITATION 6 &CLEAN

SDG 6: CLEAN WATER & SANITATION Provides clean, filtered drinking water across campus and supports sustainable water and sanitation management.

SDG 2: ZERO HUNGER Excess event food is donated to local nonprofits supporting community members facing food insecurity.

7

SDG 7: AFFORDABLE & CLEAN ENERGY Purchases renewable energy certificates to offset unavoidable emissions.

HEALTH & 3 GOOD WELL BEING

SDG 3: GOOD HEALTH & WELL-BEING Employees have access to health and safety programs, a free downtown health clinic, and support for helping clients integrate wellness practices into event activities.

WORK ECONOMIC 8 &DECENT GROWTH

SDG 8: DECENT WORK & ECONOMIC GROWTH Practices ethical supply chain management and procurement, with our Food & Beverage partner sourcing certified fairtrade products.

EDUCATION 4 QUALITY

SDG 4: QUALITY EDUCATION Donates leftover event and office supplies to Treasures4Teachers and educates attendees on sustainability through digital content and guided tours that highlight key initiatives and inspire action.

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SDG 9: INDUSTRY, INNOVATION, INFRASTRUCTURE Promotes use of Downtown Phoenix lightrail system and bike share program as safe, reliable transit options for attendees. Partners exclusively with local vendors, businesses, and hotels to support downtown growth.

5

SDG 5: GENDER EQUALITY Promotes gender-balanced panels and maintains an inclusive facility supported by a diverse staff.

INEQUALITIES 10 REDUCED

1

NO POVERTY

2

ZERO HUNGER

GENDER EQUALITY

AFFORDABLE & CLEAN ENERGY

INDUSTRIAL INNOVATION & INFRASTRUCTURE

SDG 10: REDUCED INEQUALITIES Creates a welcoming, inclusive and accessible environment for everyone to be able to fully participate in events.

CITIES & 11 SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES

SDG 11: SUSTAINABLE CITIES & COMMUNITIES The City of Phoenix and the Phoenix Convention Center operate as a sustainability focused destination with a climate action plan and measurable outcomes that strengthen community resilience.

JUSTICE AND STRONG 16 PEACE, INSTITUTIONS

SDG 16: PEACE, JUSTICE, AND STRONG INSTITUTIONS Ensures 100% of PCC staff complete human trafficking training to recognize and report potential signs.

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RESPONSIBLE CONSUMPTION & PRODUCTION

SDG 12: RESPONSIBLE CONSUMPTION & PRODUCTION Eliminates singleuse waste through reusable serveware in the Downtown PHX Kitchens Food Hall and supports a circular economy by donating, reusing, recycling, and upcycling event materials.

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SDG 17: PARTNERSHIPS FOR THE GOALS Achieves high sustainability impact through strong partnerships with clients, service partners, local nonprofits, the City of Phoenix, and downtown businesses.

13

CLIMATE ACTION

SDG 13: CLIMATE ACTION Encourages lower emission transportation and food choices, diverts high methane food waste through donations and composting, and reduces emissions through LED upgrades and enhanced building automation.

BELOW WATER 14 LIFE

SDG 14: LIFE BELOW WATER Only purchases seafood from responsible fisheries and reduces use of single use plastics to keep them out of the ocean.

ON LAND 15 LIFE

SDG 15: LIFE ON LAND Installed a Monarch Butterfly Pollinator Garden to help promote healthy ecosystems and biodiversity.

PARTNERSHIPS FOR THE GOALS

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

GOALS

FACILITY USAGE & PERFORMANCE

174

494,330

610,000 kWh

Events

Attendees

Renewable Energy Purchased 16,517

The Phoenix Convention Center experienced a notably busier summer compared to 2024, hosting 174 events and welcoming increased attendance throughout the year. Even with higher utilization of our facilities, we achieved reduction in overall utility consumption in several areas. This reflects our ongoing commitment to responsible operations, vigilant monitoring, and the integration of emerging technologies that support smarter, more efficient resource use.

23M 22.44M

-2.5%

14,949

-9%

2024 2025 ELECTRIC USAGE (kWh)

WATER USAGE (CCF)

WASTE DIVERSION The formalization of a prepared food donation program in 2025 allowed the Phoenix Convention Center to significantly reduce compost volume, driven by the donation of 33 tons of packaged and prepared food to Phoenix Dream Center and St. Mary’s Food Bank. Building on this progress, the PCC remains committed to increasing our overall waste diversion rate through staff training, attendee education efforts, and collaboration with event organizers to improve proper waste sortation.

961TONS

145 TONS

16.62 TONS

Landfill

Mixed Recycling

Compost (Food & Landscape)

33 TONS

100+

Food Donations

Retired Assets Repurposed

10,000 LBS

Post-Event Material Donation

17,556 LBS Waste Oil Collected & Converted to Biodiesel

TEAM AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT The Phoenix Convention Center Sustainability Committee is made up of employees from across all divisions and sections, ensuring cross-collaboration to address inefficiencies and carry out sustainability initiatives seamlessly in procurement, sales, event operations, major events, event and janitorial services, marketing and communications, and program management.

Commitment to Accessibility PCC conducted ADA assessments across our facilities to guide improvements that create a more accessible environment and experience for all guests. In 2025, 100% of frontfacing staff and 75% of all PCC employees completed Autism Awareness or Autism Certification training, strengthening our ability to serve every visitor with care and inclusivity.

PCC Giving includes providing free event space and services on Thanksgiving and Christmas to The Salvation Army, supporting their efforts to offer hot meals, clothing, haircuts, and other essential resources to community members in need.

In 2025, 82% of PCC employees contributed an impressive $15,000 to our Community Service Fund Drive, directly supporting programs that expand access to health services, address homelessness, and create educational and job opportunities for Phoenicians.

Sustainability tours, each hosting 25–40 event attendees, were offered throughout the year to showcase PCC’s initiatives and provide a behind the scenes look at how our teams successfully deliver sustainable events and operations.

2026 GOALS

Expand digital signage to significantly reduce temporary and disposable materials across the PCC campus

Enhance ADA signage and implement facility and program improvements that strengthen accessibility and inclusivity

Reach a

Increase event organizer engagement in PCC’s sustainability programs and practices

Host a Zero Waste mega event achieving a diversion rate of

90% OR HIGHER

25%

waste diversion rate through increased repurposing, recycling, and composting initiatives

phoenixconventioncenter.com 100 North Third Street, Phoenix, AZ 85004 800-282-4842 602-262-6225