For venues across the U.S. and the world, green is the goal.
Strides toward sustainability are no longer just an extra perk for venues to offer planners — they’re a necessity. That’s because more attendees are mindful of avoiding wasteful practices, and, as a result, management companies and independent venues alike are striving to reduce their carbon footprints and implement greener practices. All those efforts across thousands of events a year can add up to big changes.
From massive convention centers to boutique hotels, here are some newly built, recently renovated and up-and-coming sustainable venues planners should consider for green events.
Portola Hotel & Spa
Monterey, California
Central California’s first LEED-Certified hotel, Portola Hotel & Spa has always prioritized sustainability. Opened in 1977 near downtown Monterey, it’s just a short walk from Fisherman’s Wharf, making the bayfront property an excellent choice for coastal meetings and events. When combined with the adjacent Monterey Conference Center, it offers 60,000 square feet of indoor event space, nearly 60,000 square feet of outdoor event space and 379 guest rooms.
In 2024, the property underwent a $1.83 million renovation to its De Anza and Bonsai Ballrooms and De Anza Foyer, including aesthetic upgrades like new carpeting and light fixtures. The hotel’s restaurant and beloved local craft brewery, Peter B’s, also reopened recently after a $2 million renovation. But, beyond the cosmetic improvements to its meeting and dining spaces, the Monterey hotel has made greater strides toward sustainability.
In summer 2025, it announced the creation of a Reduced Waste Conference Program, in collaboration with sustainability consulting firm Blue Strike Environmental. The program strives to eliminate single-use plastics whenever possible; source seasonal ingredients from local farms; and implement water- and energy-saving measures throughout the property. It will also promote a digital-first approach to signage and provide groups of 30 or more with a sustainability report following their event, which will document how many resources they saved by hosting their event at Portola Hotel & Spa.
Austin Convention Center
Austin, Texas
Known for its bustling live music and culinary scenes, Austin, Texas, has plenty for the meetings market. But its offerings are about to get even better: in early 2025, the Austin Convention Center released details and renderings for Unconventional ATX, a renovation and expansion project.
The goals are ambitious — it’s set to be the world’s first certified zero-carbon convention center. That means it will be powered by 100% renewable energy, built with recycled and low-impact materials, and have little to no carbon emissions on-site, thanks to all-electric operations. Many of its materials are being sourced from the demolition of the current convention center. According to the Austin Convention Center Department, the building is on track to earn LEED certification. It’s also set to provide plenty of aesthetically appealing green spaces, plazas and pedestrian walkways within Austin’s downtown.
In addition to meeting the city’s sustainability needs, the new convention center is also set to increase its capacity for events. The $1.6 billion renovation, estimated to be completed in late 2028, will take the structure from 365,000 square feet to 620,000 square feet of rentable space. The improved event capacity is projected to bring an estimated $285 million of additional economic impact for the city of Austin, as well as 1,600 tourism jobs.
Hotel Verdant
Racine, Wisconsin
Just blocks away from the shores of Lake Michigan in a historic building in downtown Racine, Wisconsin, Hotel Verdant opened in late 2023. Green is in the name, so it’s no surprise that the hotel’s sustainability practices are top of mind.
Inspired by the natural surroundings of Racine and “hygge,” a Danish concept that combines simplicity and coziness, the hotel is decorated throughout with warm earth tones and contemporary furniture. The boutique property features 80 rooms, an Italian restaurant, a rooftop cocktail lounge with a botanical garden, and meeting space.
Its 3,500-square-foot Belle Ballroom has space for a reception for 125 guests and is divisible into two spaces. A boardroom and the rooftop lounge are also available to be rented. The hotel can handle on-site catering and A/V, and supplies planners with meeting packages.
Hotel Verdant’s commitment to sustainability has earned it an official LEED Gold Certification. Some of its green features include a geothermal heating and cooling system, smart sensors throughout that reduce energy use, solar panels and wind turbines, and a green roof covered with vegetation to reduce stormwater runoff and the urban heat island effect. The hotel has electric vehicle charging stations and offers rentable bikes. It also uses environmentally friendly cleaning products and provides guests with sustainable toiletries and bedding products.
Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center
National Harbor, Maryland
Located just outside of Washington, D.C., in National Harbor, Maryland, the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center offers attendees easy access to all the amenities of a waterfront hospitality and entertainment district, as well as the nation’s capital. It’s the largest non-gaming hotel and conference center on the East Coast, with an impressive 2,000 guest rooms.
The AAA Four Diamond resort features more than 500,000 square feet of meeting space, including the 50,000-square-foot Potomac Ballroom, a 178,000-square-foot exhibit hall, and many other breakout rooms and boardrooms. It also has a 19-story atrium, multiple dining options, an indoor pool and an award-winning spa.
The Marriott Bonvoy property recently announced plans to invest in renewable energy with the addition of a rooftop solar array on the resort’s convention center. It’s expected to include nearly 4,700 solar panels that will cover 3.5 acres. The addition of solar panels is expected to supply up to 3.4 million kilowatt-hours of energy each year, which equates to about 20% of the resort’s total energy requirements. That’s also equivalent to reducing greenhouse gas emissions of carbon dioxide by nearly 2,400 metric tons each year. The project is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2026.
Islander Resort
Islamorada, Florida
Set on 24 acres on Islamorada in the Florida Keys, Islander Resort is a stunning beachfront property with excellent meeting and event facilities for up to 1,000 attendees. The resort offers guests a chance to reconnect with nature and enjoy the tropical climate with many indoor-outdoor spaces. It features 114 bungalows and suites and 25 two-bedroom villas, as well as multiple dining options, a private beachfront and tropical pool, complete with private cabanas.
The property’s event areas total 110,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor function space. Indoors, Hibiscus Hall offers 2,700 square feet for up to 220 attendees and some additional pre-function space. However, the outdoor function space is where Islander Resort really shines; venues like the Palm Terrace, the oceanfront Coral Point and the Great Lawn let attendees enjoy the island’s tropical atmosphere.
In early 2025, the resort unveiled an expansive, property-wide renovation that revamped everything from its lodging to its event spaces. These upgrades included several sustainability-oriented projects, including the largest solar installation on Islamorada, an on-site water collection system for irrigation and a new air conditioning system. Other initiatives include the use of LED lightbulbs, recycled and biodegradable materials, and a more energy-efficient laundry system.
