Amid COVID-19 stress TCF Center garners local and global awards
2020 has been a year like no other in recent history, slapped by enormous loss, rattling institutions and causing rampant economic sacrifice across the country. While events are limited by local restrictions on gatherings, TCF Center continues to support the greater Detroit community by: distributing more than three million pounds of food to date to agencies that aid local residents; sterilizing PPE for local area hospitals; becoming a overflow field hospital (currently paused); serving as a 2020 Election Ballot Counting Center; and hosting American Red Cross blood drives as needed. Additionally, the center may become a drive-through location for local resident COVID-19 vaccines in the near future.
The venue also continues to receive a stream of awards for just about every aspect of convention management. Here is the list:
2020 USGBC Leadership Award for Building Performance
Nov. 13, 2020 TCF Center received this award from the U. S. Green Buildings Council for leaders who are driving the adoption of Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) across business portfolios, higher education and green affordable housing, as well as helping to advance Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) performance, resilience planning and innovative waste management solutions. TCF Center has been growing its green initiatives for a decade. By organizing its green event program and sustainable operations protocols the venue continually adapts to the global advancements in facility and event sustainability.
Ten companies, projects or individuals have received the award each year since 2014. TCF Center is the only convention center to receive this award in its history, making it a significant recognition for the center in its decade long effort to become a model for sustainable convention center operations.
“We realize that the TCF Center is an economic engine for the Detroit community,” said Molinari. “We take this responsibility seriously and do everything we can to include the local and event communities in our efforts to hit as many of the UN Sustainable Development Goals as we can each year, reducing our carbon footprint and enriching the lives of residents and visitors.”
Centers of Excellence Award (Exhibitor Magazine)
Exhibitor Magazine readers evaluated their favorite convention centers using an objective algorithm weighted to reflect how they value a variety of variables. The myriad criteria considered were categorized into five primary areas:
- Facility & Functionality
- Location & Accommodations
- Service & Execution
- Expansions & Upgrades
- Awards & Industry Participation
TCF Center received this distinguished award in 2019 and 2020, a particular honor because essentially it comes from the venue's trade show customers.
USGBC Detroit Region Outstanding Sustainable Design Award
Presented shortly after the center received its LEED Gold Certification in October 2019, TCF Center was selected for the USGBC Detroit Region Outstanding Sustainable Design Award due to all of the sustainability features that it incorporated into building design and operations. The USGBC also noted that TCF Center received the award for making outstanding commitments to their local community.
Facilities & Destinations Magazine Prime Site Award
For the 5th year in a row, Facilities & Destinations Magazine has recognized TCF Center with its 2020 Prime Site Award as a venue that is an ideal environment for stakeholders to engage in dialogue, brainstorming, learning and networking. Winning the award signals client satisfaction on many levels and recognizes that the center is a standout in a competitive meetings marketplace.
Detroit Green Task Force Earth Day Award
The City of Detroit Green Task Force is made up of numerous environmental advocacy groups, non-profit organizations, environmental businesses, government employees and residents. The Green Task Force works to create green jobs, improve environmental policy and build a more sustainable city.
The Detroit Green Task Force awards local organization with their “Earth Day Business Award” for outstanding efforts in sustainability and contributing to the Detroit Green Task Force’s sustainability action agenda and to recognize those individuals and businesses whose work is committed to securing Detroit as a more sustainable and resilient city.
"The TCF Center serves as an excellent example to other building owners in Detroit. The changes they've made to both their operations and organizational culture will help the city as it moves towards a future as a sustainable and resilient city," said Joel Howrani Heeres, director of the Office of Sustainability for the City of Detroit.
2020 Best Convention Center (Michigan Meetings & Events Magazine)
This is another award for TCF Center that was voted by readers of a leading industry publication. Michigan Meetings and Events Magazine is the #1 event publication for the State of Michigan. Here is what they had to say about TCF Center when presenting the award:
Safety, security, sustainability and service—Detroit’s TCF Center, formerly Cobo Center, hits on all cylinders. As a LEED Gold Certified facility, TCF Center is committed to implementing new and innovative green initiatives throughout the facility. It has programs designed to educate employees, vendors, customers, partners and visitors on the importance of the sustainability of the environment.
Safety and security are top-of-mind for every meeting planner. “TCF Center security is constantly working with local, state, federal and international law enforcement agencies to provide safe and peaceful opportunities for events and visitors in the venue,” says Molinari. “From the Coast Guard and Customs and Border Patrol protecting our Canadian border, to the Detroit Police Department and every agency in between that contributes to surveillance and response, our venue’s event security is prepared to cover just about any conceivable eventuality.”
