At 500,000 square feet, the Knoxville Convention Center is one of the city's largest buildings and is on track to be one of it's most energy efficient.
The center's general manager, Mary Bogert, says they have instituted a number of changes in an effort to cut energy costs and the buildings carbon footprint.
"Going back before "green" was even popular, we were doing some things primarily to save money and to be smart and good stewards of a city asset."
That includes installing low flow faucets and waterless urinals in bathrooms, along with lights that turn on when they detect motion. Bogert says a company also applied films to the expanse of windows at the convention center to reduce the UV rays and help regulate the temperature of the building.
While the window films keep the sun out, solar panels on top of the building pull the suns' rays to help power it.
"We have been able to drop the deficit of the building down year after year and a big portion of that has been energy savings, " said Bogert.
She says they're saving about $105,000 a year.
In addition to saving money, the convention center is doing its part to protect the environment.
For many dining events they use biodegradable paper and plastic products and eating utensils. They also buy locally grown and produced products and have plans to grown their own herbs come Spring.
Little is thrown away. Bogert says they recycle about 15 tons of material a year at the convention center. All leftover food is donated to Second Harvest Food Bank.
Bogert says the reason to do it all is simple.
"It's the right thing to do."