{"id":5507,"date":"2016-07-06T10:08:09","date_gmt":"2016-07-06T14:08:09","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.atl.com\/?p=5507"},"modified":"2016-12-07T15:46:13","modified_gmt":"2016-12-07T20:46:13","slug":"three-day-conference-focuses-on-sustainability","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dev.atl.com\/atl\/three-day-conference-focuses-on-sustainability\/","title":{"rendered":"Three-day conference focuses on sustainability"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Three-day<\/p>\n

By Shane Blatt
\nSenior Public Relations Manager<\/em><\/b><\/p>\n

Sustainability and asset management took center stage Wednesday, June 22 at the kickoff of the second annual International Sustainable Asset Management (ISAM) Conference.<\/p>\n

The three-day conference, hosted by Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) in partnership with the International Facility Management Association (IFMA), serves as a platform for introducing best practices, showcasing new technologies, and offering training and networking opportunities within the sustainable asset management communities.<\/p>\n

For Hartsfield-Jackson, the conference underscores ATL\u2019s commitment to environmental stewardship in its quest to become the greenest airport on the planet.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur guiding principles are clear: We are laser-focused on striking an effective balance between environmental sustainability, economic stability as well as social responsibility,\u201d interim Airport General Manager Roosevelt Council Jr. told dozens of conference attendees at the Georgia International Convention Center.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s no easy feat. After all, as the world\u2019s most traveled airport, Hartsfield-Jackson in 2015 handled more than 100 million passengers, the most of any other airport in a single year. Naturally, such high passenger counts put \u201cstress and strain\u201d on ATL\u2019s facilities and assets, Council said.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut as usual, this team steps up to these kinds of challenges,\u201d he said. \u201cWe welcome the chance to grow sustainably, balancing our constantly expanding operations with a deep commitment to preserving the environment.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Airport has incorporated a series of green initiatives, from installing LED lighting on the airfield to retrofitting passenger terminal and concourse restrooms with low-flow water and toilet fixtures. ATL also has set in motion plans for the Green Acres ATL Energy Park. This first-of-its-kind facility will enable the recycling and reuse of 90 percent of the Airport\u2019s waste.<\/p>\n

Over the next three days, the ISAM Conference will demonstrate the synergy between asset management and sustainability while recognizing the successes and challenges of integrating such practices globally and locally. Information sessions will highlight everything from sustainable operations and environmental awareness to total cost of ownership and professional development.<\/p>\n

Ultimately, Conference Chairman Aaron Davis said, ISAM 2016 hopes to engage the facility management, asset management and sustainability professions in a \u201cclose-knit discussion.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat you\u2019ll find is that we all have the same issues and the same problems, and having different solutions is important,\u201d said Davis, ATL\u2019s senior asset manager.<\/p>\n

The conference ends Friday morning with an information session about ATLNext, the Airport\u2019s $6 billion capital improvement program, followed by an optional tour of Hartsfield-Jackson\u2019s facilities.<\/p>\n

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