I will be attending the upcoming International Hotel/Motel & Restaurant Show (IH/M&RS) and, as always, am looking forward to it. The event will be held at New York City’s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center November 7 to 10. The Hospitality Leadership Forum—a full day conference for senior level hospitality executives—will be held on Saturday, November 7, followed by the annual trade show from Sunday, November 8 through Tuesday, November 10.
I spoke to one vendor recently who believes trade shows are a dying breed—set to be replaced by smaller events that pair up vendors by appointment with potential buyers (BITAC comes to mind). Interestingly, that vendor still planned to attend the New York hotel show. Several other vendors recently told me they were not going to exhibit, believing they would not see a return on their investment. Yet another vendor told me her company had booked booth space at the U.S. Green Building Council’s Greenbuild International Conference and Expo (November 11 to 13 in Phoenix) instead of going to New York. Time will tell whether or not their decisions were wise. Hesitancy to exhibit or attend is certainly understandable given the rough year our industry has had.
I am a strong proponent of the New York event because it is truly a gold mine of ideas for anyone interested in cutting costs by reducing waste and energy and water consumption. Any lodging operator should easily be able to recover the money invested in traveling to and staying in New York by implementing just a few of the green products and technologies found at the Show.
Still Plenty of Green Exhibitors
This year’s IH/M&RS is going to feature a long list of green exhibitors. Here are just some examples: Green Tree Industries (reusable shopping bags); Evolve Guest Controls (guestroom energy management); Magnum Energy Solutions LLC (guestroom energy management); Pacific Coast Feather Co. (pillows and other bedding products); WOWGREEN (enzyme cleaning products); Amenity Services (organic coffees); American Atelier, Inc. (furniture); Bags Go Green (reusable, biodegradable bags); Boca Terry (certified organic cotton terry products); Cintas Corp. (uniforms); Concept Amenities (bathroom supplies); Dispensers Amenities Inc. (amenity dispensers); Energy Eye (guestroom energy management); and Green Key Global (green hotel rating program).
Additional exhibitors will include: Green Restaurant Association (restaurant certification); Harris Pillow Supply (pillow cleaning system); HD Supply (many product categories); Impact Enterprises (menu and guest directory covers); Koni Corp. (bedding, drapery, etc.); Lime Energy (consultants); Lion’s Wood Mobile Tables (tables); Milliken Hospitality Carpet (floor coverings); MTS Seating (chairs, tables); OAKLEAF Waste Management (recycling equipment); Onity (guestroom energy management); Ozone Experts (air cleaners, smoke removers); Pellerin Milnor Corp. (laundry equipment); PURE Solutions (Allergy Friendly Rooms); Southern Aluminum (tables); T2 Site Amenities (upscale recycling containers); Unimac (laundry equipment); Unique Amenities (guest amenities); Valley Forge Fabrics (eco-friendly fabrics); Viconics Inc. (temperature controls equipment); and ZerowasteUSA (dog waste bags).
An Opportunity to Network
In addition to checking out the latest products and technologies, I am looking forward to seeing the industry friends I have met over the many years that I have attended the IH/M&RS. And, nothing can replace good old-fashioned face-to-face networking.
The IH/M&RS has been shrinking in size the past few years but it is still a very important and relevant show. If you happen to be attending the IH/M&RS and see me walking around, be sure to introduce yourself; you’ve probably seen my photo somewhere.
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