LoyaltyOne is 'LEED'ing the way in Mississauga

- AIR MILES Call Centre features largest rooftop solar panel installation in Canada -

TORONTO , Dec. 9 /CNW/ - LoyaltyOne, operators of the AIR MILES Reward Program, celebrated the official opening of a new customer call centre yesterday which has been built towards silver and gold LEED certification and features the largest rooftop solar panel installation in Canada . Marking the building opening with the LoyaltyOne team and alongside 150 AIR MILES customer care centre associates were Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Energy and Infrastructure and MPP Ottawa-Orléans, Phil McNeely; the Honourable Mayor Hazel McCallion ; and Mississauga City Councillor, George Carlson . Also in attendance were representatives from the Ontario solar industry, and other environmental leaders who helped commemorate this state-of-the-art facility at 6696 Financial Drive in the heart of Mississauga's financial district.

The hallmark of the facility is an extensive solar array on the rooftop and adjacent carport. Some 800 photovoltaic solar panels generate 165 kilowatts of power, currently the largest solar array in Canada , which can generate enough electricity to cover usage for the building through the amount of power the facility puts back to the grid. LoyaltyOne has also invested in building features and design components which will qualify for an application towards Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification.

"We strongly believe that businesses have a role to play in protecting the environment," said Bryan Pearson , president and CEO of LoyaltyOne Inc. "Today's launch is the culmination of a grassroots initiative started by a group of associates whose actions have grown into a culture of environmental consciousness. Sustainability is engrained in our business at LoyaltyOne and we are constantly seeking out ways to reduce our own carbon footprint and our impact on the planet. We are proud that 300 AIR MILES customer care centre employees are now working in one of the greenest facilities in Canada ."

The rooftop solar installation is completed and will be fully functional in late December, 2009. The Company has also applied for LEED certification for the interior of the building (gold) as well as the exterior (silver) in conjunction with landlord, Bentall LLP. In addition, as an early applicant to the Province of Ontario's Green Energy Act operating the largest solar facility in Canada , LoyaltyOne supports government sustainable programs that encourage businesses to engage in renewable energy generation initiatives.

    
    About LoyaltyOne
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LoyaltyOne works with more than 100 of North America's leading brands in the retail, financial services, grocery, petroleum retail, travel, and hospitality industries to profitably change customer behavior. Through a team of businesses including Canada's AIR MILES Reward Program, COLLOQUY, Precima, LoyaltyOne Consulting and Direct Antidote, LoyaltyOne designs, delivers, and manages a suite of loyalty marketing services - consumer data, customer-centric retail strategies, direct-to-consumer marketing, loyalty consulting, and more. LoyaltyOne is part of the Alliance Data family of companies. For over 30 years, Alliance Data has helped its clients build more profitable, more loyal relationships with their customers. More information is available at www.loyalty.com.

About the AIR MILES Reward Program:

Founded in 1992, the AIR MILES Reward Program is Canada's premier coalition loyalty program. More than 10 million active Collector accounts, representing approximately two-thirds of all Canadian households, actively participate in the Program. The AIR MILES Reward Program allows Collectors to indulge in leisure, entertainment, merchandise, travel and other lifestyle rewards quickly, simply by doing their everyday shopping for products and services at AIR MILES Sponsors. AIR MILES reward miles can be redeemed for more than 1,200 different rewards, such as movie passes, family attractions, electronic merchandise, sports and recreation, travel and more.

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For further information: or to arrange an interview with a LoyaltyOne spokesperson: LoyaltyOne media desk at [phone]; Environics Communications at [phone], Jennifer Hills or Carrie Makrigiannis, [email protected]/[email protected]