At Saint Paul RiverCentre, sustainability isn’t a side initiative. It’s part of the experience delivered to every client, exhibitor, and guest who walks through the doors. Today’s event planners and attendees expect more than a well-run show; they’re looking for partners who share their values. That’s where the venue’s Green Team comes in.

At the FoodCentric 2026 event earlier this month, the Green Team brought that commitment to life in a highly visible, hands-on way. As the event wrapped, more than 30 staff members in signature green shirts mobilized across the exhibition halls, transforming post-event cleanup into a coordinated sustainability effort. Their mission was simple but powerful: ensure that as many leftover items as possible were diverted from landfills.

Over the course of just a few hours, the team sorted more than 4,000 pounds of waste, nearly half of which was composted. From seafood and produce to packaging materials, every item was evaluated and directed to compost, recycling, or landfill streams. It’s a process that requires training, coordination, and a culture of accountability, but it’s one that delivers measurable impact for clients.

For Event Manager Thomas Loehner, this year marked his first time leading the event, and seeing the Green Team in action underscored the value of cross-department collaboration.

“We lean heavily on our operations team for helping assist with the Green Team,” he said. “If our team wasn’t present and visible right there at the end of the event, we wouldn’t have had it be as efficient.”

Sustainability at RiverCentre doesn’t stop at waste diversion. Through a partnership with Second Harvest Heartland, surplus food from the event was redirected to serve the community. Following the event, their team collected more than 22,000 pounds of food and utensil products, ensuring that unused resources reached families across the region.

Just as important is how exhibitors and organizers are brought into the process. The RiverCentre team provided clear instructions to nearly 175 vendors about recycling, composting, and donations. The result? Strong participation and growing awareness year over year.

“The client and vendors are great to work with, and they are fully on board with this,” Loehner said.

That collaborative spirit is what sets Saint Paul RiverCentre apart as a convention destination. It’s not just about hosting events; it’s about elevating them. By integrating sustainability into operations, partnerships, and communication, it’s easier for planners to meet their environmental goals without compromising on quality or experience.

And while this year’s Green Team effort was a success, the focus is on continuous improvement, exploring ways to embed sustainability not just in post-event processes, but throughout the full lifecycle of every event. Because at Saint Paul RiverCentre, sustainability isn’t a trend. It’s a promise to clients, community, and the future.