SAS opens high-tech, eco-friendly conference center and office tower

Environmental program delivers business value to SAS, includes new culinary farm

CARY, NC - SAS, leader in business analytics software and services, has officially opened Building C, which comprises the Executive Briefing Center and an office tower for employees, a gourmet market-concept food court and a coffee shop serving Starbucks coffee. The Executive Briefing Center uses cutting-edge technologies to help customers learn about SAS® software. As the second largest building at SAS’ Cary headquarters, the building is 287,190 square feet and has 683 offices.

“In 2008, we set out to design a world-class conference center and office building that would serve as a place to build relationships with our customers and accommodate our growing employee population – all while supporting SAS’ vision for sustainability,” said Trish Dowty, Vice President of the Corporate Services Division.

At the Executive Briefing Center, customers learn about how analytics can help them solve their business problems and the positive impact SAS software can have on their businesses. They also absorb SAS’ management philosophy and experience SAS’ renowned workplace culture. The design allows for formal meetings and encourages impromptu interactions, bolstered by high-tech resources scalable to any group’s needs. The building facilities and resources reflect the result of a two-year audit of global best practices. This year, SAS estimates it will host 550 to 650 customer briefings in Cary.

“As customers come from around the world to visit SAS headquarters, we showcase our technology, our passion for innovation and our leadership in the industry. We also make sure they get to know the people who would become their extended team members,” said Adele Sweetwood, Vice President of Marketing and Support.

In keeping with SAS’ commitment to protecting the environment, Building C has been built to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards for water and energy conservation. Some of these specifications include reducing water use by 50 percent, reducing energy consumption by at least 40 percent, incorporating two types of renewable energy sources and planting a nearly 1-acre “green roof” to help insulate the building. In addition, Building C has two 20,000 gallon cisterns that collect rainwater for use in bathrooms, reserved eco-commuter parking spaces with 10 set aside for future use as electric car-charging stations, and a 655,000-gallon storm water retention pond.
New SAS Culinary Farm

SAS is establishing a 1-acre sustainable farm for cultivating produce for use in the SAS cafeterias and at The Umstead Hotel and Spa. The farm will be tended using organic practices by the SAS landscaping team, which includes a culinary farmer. The team will coordinate with chefs at both locations to select the crops grown on the farm.

About SAS
SAS is the leader in business analytics software and services, and the largest independent vendor in the business intelligence market. Through innovative solutions delivered within an integrated framework, SAS helps customers at more than 50,000 sites improve performance and deliver value by making better decisions faster. Since 1976 SAS has been giving customers around the world The Power to Know® .