Mayor Kevin Johnson, Green Sports Alliance Executive Director Justin Zeulner and Golden 1 Center executives announced the 7th Annual Green Sports Alliance Summit will be held in Sacramento in June 2017. The summit brings together leaders from professional sports teams, collegiate programs, venue management companies, and other pioneers in environmental stewardship to exchange the latest thinking around greening the sports industry and engaging fans.
 
"We are excited to take the Summit to Sacramento and showcase Golden 1 Center's commitment to sustainability," said Green Sports Alliance Chair Scott Jenkins. "The Sacramento Kings and Golden 1 Center are a model for innovative solutions to environmental challenges." 
 
Golden 1 Center, California's newest sports and entertainment facility, features next-generation technology and creative solutions designed to take advantage of the region's natural resources. It is the first sports venue in North America powered 100% by solar energy. For the first time in North American sports, the venue will utilize a "fan first" displacement ventilation system that cools the lower bowl with passive climate control, decreasing the energy spent on high-demand overhead fans. The world-class food and beverage program sources 90% of the arena's high-quality ingredients within 150 miles from responsible producers, reducing the arena's carbon footprint drastically.  
 
"From the beginning, we're been focused on building a world-class arena that reflects the values of Sacramento," said Kings President Chris Granger. "We're honored to have the Alliance and our peers from around the world join us for collaborative discussions about how - through sport - we can make the world a better place."
 
Since May 2014, the Kings and the Alliance have been partnering closely to identify and pursue specific strategies and initiatives to promote green design, construction and operations at Golden 1 Center. 
 
"We're working to help the Kings engage their partners and employees to support the organization's sustainable initiatives," said Justin Zeulner. "They are setting a new global standard for sustainable design and performance. We're proud to see a member of the Green Sports Alliance realize this achievement."
 
 In 2014, Sacramento's city council voted to authorize a public-private partnership with the Sacramento Kings. The City contributed $255 million to a once-in-a-generation project that will have an impact on the local economy, provide a new home for entertainment and culture, and revitalize the urban core.
 
"I could not be prouder that Sacramento will host next year's Green Sports Alliance Summit," said Mayor Kevin Johnson. "Our community believes strongly that economic and environmental policy can work hand in hand, and nothing speaks more powerfully to that commitment than  Golden 1 Center. This is a huge honor that will cement Sacramento's status as a true leader and innovator in sustainable development."

The 2017 Green Sports Alliance Summit will highlight best practices in sustainability from around the sports world, including how teams are driving change through fan engagement.  Various sessions and speakers will be announced in the coming months.
 
Throughout the arena development and construction process, the Kings have developed a robust green and sustainability agenda including:

• September 2013: committing to pursuing a LEED Gold certification, a widely recognized green building certification process administered by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).
• October 2013: convening a focus group of top sustainability and green technology experts and advocates in the Sacramento region to discuss and vet a range of specific initiatives and strategies to ensure a strong green presence at Golden 1 Center. 
• April 2014: completing a 13-month environmental impact analysis of Golden 1 Center's site, which identified a range of significant sustainability benefits of moving from a suburban location to a downtown venue. The new downtown arena location will reduce average miles traveled per attendee by 20 percent, cut overall air emissions by 24 percent, and reduce travel-related greenhouse gas emissions per attendee by 36 percent by 2020.
• May 2014: partnering with the Green Sports Alliance to identify and pursue specific strategies and initiatives to promote green design, construction and operations at the facility.
• March 2015: recycling 99 percent of Golden 1 Center construction debris  -- nearly 101,000 tons - surpassing the 75% goal set by the Kings.
• October 2015: partnering with SMUD and SPI, Golden 1 Center will be powered 100% by solar power and will be grid neutral.
• March 2016: crafting a food and sustainability charter that extends the original commitment to source food and beverage within 150 miles to include responsible farmers, growers and producers who abide by good, fair, and clean production guidelines.  

The Green Sports Alliance 
www.greensportsalliance.org