NEW YORK CITY — Javits Center, billed as the “convention center of the future,” hosts nearly 40,000 companies a year and offers 850,000 square feet of flexible exhibition space.
On top of being an economic powerhouse and a forum for new ideas and technologies, the venue is also a sustainability pioneer.
For Earth Day 2025, Trade Show Executive explored six ways in which Javits Center is making events more sustainable.
1. Rooftop Farm
The North Javits rooftop features a one-acre farm.
Named after the venue’s previous CEO, Steel Farm produces more than 50 types of crops. The rooftop also has a food forest, which is composed of 34 apple trees and six pear trees, offering an interactive experience for guests.
“Steel Farm produces the freshest ingredients possible for our culinary team,” Joyce Leveston, CMM, CVP, CEO of Javits Center, said. “CULTIVATED works hand in hand with the farmers from Brooklyn Grange, who manage Steel Farm, to plan the crop schedule that matches with their menus — resulting in over 80% of the produce coming off the farm being used in our catering.”
One example of farm-to-table success at Javits Center comes from last year. After a successful raspberry harvest that created 375 pounds of berries, the venue introduced a Raspberry Burbon Smash, which Leveston shared was a big hit.
Many of the venue’s infused waters, teas and drinks, in fact, use produce from the farm for flavor.
Javits Center also offers a Lunch & Learn experience, which is a multi-course meal made up of produce from the farm.
2. Green Roof
Javits Center’s 6.75-acre green roof absorbs approximately seven million gallons of rainwater runoff and reduces the urban heat island effect in the area by 1.9 degrees Fahrenheit. The roof also serves as natural insulation.
“That is incredibly beneficial when working on temperature regulation for large-scale events and has helped reduce our energy consumption by 26%,” Leveston shared.
The venue’s green roof also serves as a habitat for 72 species of migrating birds and a herring gull colony with more than 150 nests.
3. Sustainability Team
The venue has a dedicated Sustainability Team to help event organizers make use of its numerous features. Also, organizers receive a pre-event survey where they can choose a more in-depth, custom sustainability plan. Javits Center offers post-event surveys as well.
“With the infrastructure and standard back-of-house operations we have in place, all events that happen at Javits Center have a baseline of sustainability before event organizers add on any of their requests,” Leveston shared.
4. Truck Marshaling Facility
Javits Center’s truck marshaling facility has loading docks on two levels and a marshaling area to accommodate queuing trucks, preventing waiting vehicles from clogging the neighborhood streets.
“Our truck marshaling building is another asset that marries sustainability and efficiency for our customers,” Leveston said. “With enough space to house 200 semitrucks, the truck marshaling building makes loading in and out events a breeze while also reducing traffic and emissions associated with trucks having to circle the block or returning to their original destinations.”
5. Solar Power
The venue’s green roof also has more than 2,000 solar panels, which power up to 10% of its 3.3-million-square-foot campus.
Javits Center also participates in Demand Response, an initiative to reduce the risk of blackouts during high periods of demand on the power grid.
6. Waste Diversion
Javits Center had a 45% waste diversion rate last year.
In its JavitsCares program, items leftover after events are donated to local community organizations. In 2024, more than 145 tons of items were given back to the community, including a 1,100-pound crystal chandelier.
“Javits Center’s mission is to serve New York,” Leveston added. “We do that by being a catalyst for economic development and being a good neighbor to our community. Our sustainability initiatives are good for both the community and our bottom line.”
Want to learn more? Find TSE’s full Q&A with Leveston here.
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Photo Credit: Javits Center
