The LeConte Center at Pigeon Forge has passed an audit of the Tennessee Green Hospitality Program that qualified for a 'Green' certification. Image courtesy of Pigeon Forge Department of Tourism.

PIGEON FORGE – The LeConte Center at Pigeon Forge has passed an audit of the Tennessee Green Hospitality Program that documents a high level of environmental sustainability and a commitment to clean operation.

Tennessee Green Hospitality is a statewide, voluntary program that began in 1999. Only 65 businesses and facilities in the hospitality industry have earned its accreditation.

The program is offered through the Tennessee Hospitality and Tourism Association and is endorsed by the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development.

Audit areas include recycling, minimizing generation of waste, efficient use of energy and water, involvement of clients in sustainability programs and commitment to continued sustainable operation.

“The LeConte Center at Pigeon Forge is a wonderful example of a well designed, well built and well managed facility,” said Dobbin Callahan of Skye Con, the environmental consultancy that audited the building.

“It was clear that sustainability was a concern from the moment the LeConte Center at Pigeon Forge began to take shape,” Callahan said.

The Pigeon Forge Department of Tourism administers the $45 million LeConte Events Center, which opened in October 2013. Its function is to attract trade shows, competitive events, special events, festivals and large assemblies that draw overnight visitors to Pigeon Forge.

“The audit verified many of the excellent design elements of the building, and it pointed out areas where we can improve, too. The fact the Sevier County composts its solid waste was an important factor,” said Phil Campbell, the LeConte Events Center’s facility manager.

Other Sevier County holders of Tennessee Green Hospitality accreditation are the Inn on the River and MainStay Suites in Pigeon Forge, the Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies in Gatlinburg and the Rel Maples Institute for Culinary Arts at Walters State Community College. Others in Tennessee include the Hutton Hotel in Nashville and the Chattanoogan Hotel, the Tennessee Aquarium and Ruby Falls, all in Chattanooga.

ConventionSouth Magazine, a trade magazine that has covers the meetings industry in the South, named the LeConte Events Center one of 50 winners of its Top New or Renovated Meeting Site Award in the December 2013 issue.

Published January 14, 2014