"We are extremely honored to receive our Virginia Green status," said Sallie Grant-DiVenuti, Executive Director, Hampton Convention & Visitor Bureau. "Not only has our office made great strides in transitioning into green tourism, but the Hampton Roads Convention Center has also worked extremely hard to make sure all of their conventions, 
events, and meetings are as environmentally-friendly as possible."
‘Virginia Green’! is a statewide program conducted through a partnership between the Virginia Department of Environmental Equality (DEQ), Virginia Tourism Corporation, and the Virginia Hospitality and Travel Association. The program: "seeks to reduce the environmental impacts of Virginia’s tourism industry and raise environmental awareness." Originating in September 2006 with outreach to hotels and bed and breakfasts, the program has now expanded to all sectors of the hospitality industry, including convention and visitors bureaus, restaurants, attractions and events. The Hampton Convention Center joins the Richmond Convention Center and the Virginia Beach Convention Center as the third large meeting venue in the state to be certified green, according to the Virginia Green Website.
In order to receive a Virginia Green designation, organizations and venues musts take steps towards improving: recycling; water efficiency; energy conservation; and supporting and promoting Virginia Green to other hospitality sectors in their region.
Some of qualifying environment practices implemented by the Hampton Roads Convention Center included: 
eliminating the use of Styrofoam, using water coolers instead of bottled water, installing motion sensors on all-toilets, and utilizing green products and cleaners.
"The Hampton Roads Convention Center is committed to searching for ways to be an Earth-friendly steward and work together with our community to improve Hampton, Virginia’s environmental profile," said Eric Nealy, General Manager, Hampton Roads Convention Center. "We progressively strive to be as 'Green' as possible and we are committed to reducing our environmental impact by persistently looking for efficiencies and greener practices in our day-to-day operations."
Partially bordered by the Hampton Roads harbor and Chesapeake Bay, Hampton, with the 344,000 sq. ft. Hampton Roads Convention Center, is located in the center of the Hampton Roads metropolitan area, the heart of Virginia’s tidewater region.
