Creating Better Environments
First Financial Center's management company, Legends Global, is committed to sustainability, diversity, and community with its Global Acts initiative in an effort to keep creating better workplaces, a diverse workforce, and beautiful local communities.
The broad goals and commitments of the Global Acts initiative are:
Protecting the Environment – Reducing waste from the guest experience across our venues, enhancing facility efficiency through capital investments, and protecting and preserving resources in and around our communities.
Investing in People – Creating an environment of inclusion and gender equity across our organization, growing the diversity of our business partners around the world, and enabling opportunities for our current and future workforce.
Strengthening Our Communities – Engaging in improving the vitality of our communities, increasing philanthropic support through meaningful efforts, and enhancing the health and well-being of our coworkers, clients, and guests.
The Global Acts initiative has established annual targets that measure impact and progress to achieving these commitments.
The Global Acts Foundation will support philanthropic and community-based endeavors guided by its sustainability and diversity pillars. In addition, the Global Acts Scholarship will focus on serving diverse and under-resourced communities with educational and career-development opportunities.
“Whether you are a performer on our stages, a technician, hospitality team member, or visitor to our venue, we all have the ability to work together and harness our collective action to make the world a better place. Legends Global is inspired by and dedicated to making a meaningful difference in our communities and beyond.”
First Financial Center Green Initiatives
The Center’s comprehensive sustainability design plan includes the following:
- Low Flow Water Systems: The design incorporates advanced water-saving systems, including low-flow restroom fixtures and reduced water usage in sinks throughout the facility. Toilets operate at 1.6 GPF, reducing overall water consumption.
- Energy Efficient Windows: The center has energy-efficient windows throughout the building, featuring dual-pane insulating glass with a special coating that balances natural light and solar control. These windows let in plenty of daylight while reducing solar heat gain.
- Energy Efficient Elevators & Escalators: The venue’s escalators and elevators feature high-efficiency motors and starters. Additionally, our energy-efficient elevators are designed to automatically shut off interior lighting and ventilation after a period of inactivity to conserve energy.
- HVAC: Next-generation HVAC controls with on demand-controlled ventilation dynamically adjust airflow based on building occupancy, keeping guests comfortable while significantly reducing energy use.
- Lighting: Over 90% of the building features energy-efficient LED lighting. Photocells throughout the center automatically adjust fixture brightness based on natural daylight, while a central control panel manages scheduled lighting. In areas without panel relays, occupancy sensors control the lights.
- Solar Panels: The center’s roof is equipped with (588) 585 W solar panels. The energy generated by this PV (photovoltaic) system will help offset daytime energy demands, such as HVAC and lighting. All power produced will be used to operate the center, with an estimated 433,415 kwh generated in the first year.
In addition to the design, the FFC is committed to operations that reduce environmental impact with the following practices:
- Cardboard Balers: Cardboard balers help reduce waste volume, promote recycling, and minimize environmental impact by conserving natural resources and lowering carbon emissions. Not only do we recycle cardboard; we get paid to do so! We typically have (2) semi loads of cardboard picked up monthly.
- Donations: The Convention Center offers a donation program that repurposes leftover show items by donating them to local non-profit organizations in the Cincinnati region. Work with your Event Manager and Donation Coordinator to identify items that can be rehabilitated.
- Equipment/Products: Our housekeeping staff uses green certified soap and eco friendly paper products in our public restrooms. They also use a PathoSans Cleaning System that utilizes on-site chemical generators to produce PathoClean & PathoCide to create a safe, non-toxic, environmentally friendly cleaning solution.
- Organic Food Waste Recycling: The FFC uses a Power Knot Automatic Food Waste Digester to process food waste within 24 hours. This enclosed system continuously breaks down all types of food waste—from prep scraps to post consumer leftovers—using microorganisms and oxygen. The process is odor-free and converts waste into grey water, which is safely discharged down the drain.
- Single Stream Recycling: We are committed to recycling, reducing and reusing as many products as possible. We work hand in hand with our employees, vendors, customers, partners and visitors to minimize our collective impact on the environment. You will find single-stream recycling bins conveniently located in each room and lobby space. Our single-stream recycling cans are made from recycled milk cartons. Commingled recycling, also known as single-stream recycling, is a system where all recyclable materials (plastic, paper, metal, glass) are mixed together in a single collection bin. Guests don't need to sort recyclables before placing them in the bin, as they are separated at a material recovery facility (MRF). This method streamlines the recycling process, making it easier for residents and reducing the need for sorting in advance.
- Transportation: FFC is centrally located in downtown Cincinnati, just a short walk away from over 3,400 hotel rooms. Conveniently positioned within 500 miles of 60% of the U.S. population, the center is easily accessible for travelers. The Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport is only 13 miles away.
- Water Refill Stations: Eco-friendly water refill stations are strategically placed throughout the Center to help reduce the need for more plastic water bottles. Level 1: Elm St Lobby (near First Aid), 5th St. Elevator Landing, inside Hall A, Hall B, and Hall C Level 2: 5th St SW Lobby (201A/B), South of Bridge (210A/B), 6th St NE Lobby (230C) Level 3: Queen City Ballroom A&B Lobby, 5th St South Central Lobby