Purpose-built event spaces and a host of repurposed venues make Baltimore, MD, a unique place to meet while supporting local communities—and it’s all part of a citywide push to make 2025 the most sustainable year yet.
As part of its “Turn Again to the Earth” initiative, the Baltimore Museum of Art is challenging the entire city to be more eco-conscious. The challenge invites hospitality partners throughout the city to commit to one sustainably driven operational change and to develop one environmental awareness program in 2025. The National Aquarium and Maryland Zoo in Baltimore have already accepted; now it’s time for meeting planners to join the challenge.
Promoting greener visitation is just one way to support the city’s Climate Action Plan, which sets ambitious goals, including a 30 percent reduction in carbon emissions by 2025, a 60 percent reduction by 2030, and full carbon neutrality equaling a 100 percent reduction in net emissions by 2045. Meeting planners can get involved in this effort by choosing one of Baltimore’s many eco-friendly venues. These top meeting venues are engaged in sustainable practice:
- The Baltimore Convention Center (BCC) has 300,000 square feet of contiguous expo space, 50 meeting rooms and a 36,600-square-foot ballroom. Partnering with the WWF Hotel Kitchen Program and local nonprofits, BCC donates surplus food to the Maryland Food Bank via the MealConnect app and repurposes food scraps through local farms.
- The National Aquarium offers eco-friendly event options that align with its mission to support marine conservation efforts. The aquarium’s in-house catering team, SSA Group, emphasizes sustainable, responsibly sourced ingredients. With spaces that range from the Harbor View Room overlooking Baltimore’s Inner Harbor to immersive experiences in the Blue Wonders exhibits, it creates memorable events with low ecological footprints.
- The Wine Collective puts planet-friendly practices first—starting with the grapes, which are grown sustainably by local farmers. The packaging uses recycled glass and recyclable corks made from sugarcane waste. All food waste is composted and the unused grape matter from wine production is repurposed as natural fertilizer. Hold meetings here to take advantage of their wines and commitment to sustainable practices.
- CFG Bank Arena (formerly Royal Farms Arena) is fresh off a fresh $200 million makeover backed by Pharrell Williams in 2023. The new space opened at the beginning of 2024 and is loaded with sustainability-focused features, including locally sourced materials, LED lighting, low-flow/waterless facilities and tons of energy-efficient updates.
Baltimore is also home to several repurposed venues. Here are a few highlights:
- Gunther & Co. was one of the largest brewing centers in the country (producing 800,000 barrels a year), but closed its plant for good in the late 1970s. In the early 2000s the long-closed industrial building was updated and renovated to include the restaurant, Gunther & Co., which highlights a local, seasonal modern American menu in a stunning space that includes a 16-foot living plant wall.
- Ministry Of Brewing in Upper Fells Point houses huge stainless-steel beer brewing tanks in the sanctuary of St. Michael the Archangel Church dating to 1852 where German immigrants once worshiped. Ministry of Brewing retained the soaring vaulted ceilings and replaced the pews with beer hall-style tables made from wood reclaimed from within the church; the grand columns and a mural on the ceiling are restored. Meeting attendees here can sip their beer comfortably knowing religious leaders de-sanctified the property for secular use.
- Mt. Washington Mill Dye House was used as a mill until 1923 and then repurposed to produce metal screws, bolts and rivets until the late 1980s. The venue offers more than 5,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor space. Historical features include rustic exposed wood beams, paned windows, exposed brick and distressed concrete floors.
- Motor House was built as Eastwick Motors, the city’s first Ford dealership, before a $6.5 million refresh transformed the space into a nonprofit arts center and events venue. It includes access to the Graffiti Alley, plus the Showroom Bar and a 1,500-square-foot performance space that’s available for your next gathering.
For more information, visit www.baltimore.org.
Related Stories
San Diego Tourism Authority Backs DEI in Local Tourism Industry
Destination DC Highlights What’s New for Meetings in 2025