Home Publisher's Point of View Favorable Fallout from Florida Governor Crist’s Executive Order

Favorable Fallout from Florida Governor Crist’s Executive Order

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Sometimes a little arm twisting can go a long way. Take Florida, for example. Last summer, Governor Charlie Crist—whose name has been tossed around as a possible running mate for Senator John McCain—issued an Executive Order requiring all state agencies and departments to do business only with Florida Green Lodging Program participants. The Executive Order went into effect on January 1 of this year and eventually will become a law. Faster than you can say “Go Gators,” hundreds of hotels got moving.

“There is a very good chance we will have 500 Florida Green Lodging designated hotels by the end of this year,” said Karen Moore, program coordinator for the Florida Green Lodging Program that was established in 2004 by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).

If the Florida Green Lodging Program does reach the 500 landmark by 2009—a number that represents about 10 percent of all lodging properties and about 12 percent of all guestrooms in Florida—it will easily include the largest cluster of designated green hotels in the United States. “The governor’s Executive Order put a lot of movement into the program,” Moore says. “We’ve seen a lot of applications come in.” Will the governors in the other 49 states get as aggressive? They would be smart to do so. It is clear that Florida’s lodging industry is not only positioning itself to draw more business from within the state, but from outside as well.

More Reasons for Program’s Success

In addition to Governor Crist’s Executive Order, what else about the Florida Green Lodging Program has made it successful? So successful that all of the state’s Walt Disney Parks & Resorts properties have latched onto it? Here are some examples:

• The Florida DEP strongly backs the program. In fact, it just announced the launch of a new green travel website and Florida Green Lodging Program locator map. It allows Florida residents and guests to locate designated Green Lodging facilities near a state park or recreation area. (Click here to read more.) Program participants also are listed on the DEP’s original Florida Green Lodging website.

• It is easy to participate, with a simple application and self-assessment to complete. The self-assessment details the environmentally friendly practices necessary to meet the standards of the Florida Green Lodging Program.

• There is on-site verification. Once a lodging facility implements green practices such as energy and water conservation, they request an on-site assessment, during which a Green Lodging trained assessor evaluates the facility to ensure it meets requirements to become a designated member of the Florida Green Lodging program.

• Continuous improvement is required to renew participation. In the first year, hotels/motels can earn the One Palm Designation. To achieve this level of designation a property must have completed the core activities representing a minimum set of best management practices in the areas of communication, water conservation, energy efficiency, waste reduction and clean air. In addition, they must obtain support from top management, form an active multi-disciplinary “Green Team” and operate in compliance with all applicable environmental laws and regulations.

• To earn the Two Palm Designation, participants must conduct an environmental baseline assessment and demonstrate a reduction in energy and water consumption and waste disposal. In addition, they must develop and implement performance improvement goals, and evaluate their progress. To earn the Three Palm Designation, participants must demonstrate continuous improvement for three consecutive years.

• Properties with fewer than 100 rooms that participate receive, at no cost, customized Florida oriented placards to announce their linen and towel reuse programs to guests.

• The program is free and results in utility savings and a reduction in environmental impact. (Costs are incurred, of course, when participating hotels upgrade to become more energy and water efficient. Florida hotels, however, can recover their investments thanks to programs offered by many of the state’s utility companies.)

• Designated properties can use the Florida Green Lodging Program logo on their marketing materials.

When the American Hotel & Lodging Association does come up with a recommendation for a national green hotel rating program, and it is underway, Florida will be better positioned than most states to participate, and to lure those business and leisure travelers who care most about the state of our environment.

Mattress Recycling in South Carolina

Thank you to Ralph Bogan, owner of Nine Lives Mattress Recycling, for making me aware of his business in Florence, S.C. Visit his website or contact him at (843) 916-9753, or by e-mail at bogan@webwithwes.com.

As always, I can be reached at editor@greenlodgingnews.com.

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