When I was a child, I could not watch enough cartoons. I am dating myself here but Bugs Bunny, The Road Runner, The Flintstones and Popeye were some of my favorites. My childhood obsession with The Three Stooges? That’s fodder for another column (woo woo woo). Animated characters, whether on screen or in “real life,” fascinate children and sometimes adults, too (Avatar comes to mind). In the last year I have come across three examples of properties using themed, costumed characters to teach kids about environmental issues. I think what they are doing is fantastic.
The first property is the Trump International Beach Resort in Sunny Isles Beach, Fla., with its Globie mascot. The second is those properties owned and operated by Rosen Hotels & Resorts and their Nesor the Eco-Hero mascot (Nesor is Rosen spelled backwards). The third is The Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte with its unique version of Mother Nature.
A little more than a year ago, the Trump International Beach Resort introduced Globie. With a head shaped like Planet Earth, Globie helps lead the property’s Planet Kids and Planet Little Kids programs. Globie is a speaking mascot and helps educate the resort’s young visitors about environment-related issues ranging from recycling to pollution to non-native plants. The idea for Globie came out of a discussion following the renaming of the property’s youth program from Just Us Kids to Planet Kids. One of the resort’s managers suggested the idea of a mascot. Two people share Globie duties, as the free programs for kids run seven days a week.
Three Employees Fill Nesor’s ‘Shoes’
According to Janice Abrew, communications, events and community affairs manager for Rosen Hotels & Resorts, the idea for Nesor the Eco-Hero was first generated in 2007. The idea became an actual costume in 2008. Three employees have been trained to play the part of Nesor, who does not speak. Nesor helps to educate children about recycling and other environmental initiatives. Nesor even has a pouch in the front of its costume where recyclables such as bottles, cans and newspapers are carried. Nesor visits area schools and participates in charity events. Rosen Hotels & Resorts created stickers that include Nesor’s image. The stickers are placed in back-of-house areas as a reminder of Rosen Hotels & Resorts’ commitment to conserving resources.
The Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte’s Mother Nature will be introduced to the public on April 21, a day prior to Earth Day. Mother Nature, a speaking character, will help educate young visitors to the hotel about conservation and recycling, give hotel eco-tours and make local public appearances. Mother Nature’s uniform was designed by Adele Wechsler, celebrated internationally for her eco-couture wedding gowns. Mother Nature will follow her April 21 press debut with a second Earth Week event, scheduled for April 23, the day after Earth Day. At the April 23 event, she will host several dozen local elementary school children and their chaperones for an organic lunch and environmental tour of the hotel. Highlights of the tour will include a visit to the hotel’s energy-conserving roof, where several thousand sedum plants are complemented by a chef’s rooftop garden grown for hotel culinary purposes, and by the hotel’s two fully-contained bee hives, now under development to provide organic honey for the hotel.
Of course not every property can afford to employ someone to wear a costume but for those who can it is a great idea. Good will is created within the community, it is a tremendous public relations opportunity and the environment ultimately benefits as well. Does your property have a “green” mascot? If so, I would love to hear about it. I can be reached at editor@greenlodgingnews.com, or by phone at (440) 243-2055.
Green Lodging News Adds Pellerin Milnor as Directory Partner
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Advertising Opportunities in 2010
There are still some excellent Green Lodging News advertising opportunities available for 2010, including ad spots on the website and in the weekly e-newsletter. There are also many Green Supplier Spotlight dates available throughout the year. If your company has a product or products it would like to feature in Green Lodging News in 2010, be sure to contact me at (440) 243-2055, or by e-mail at editor@greenlodgingnews.com. The 2010 media kit is available by request or by clicking here. Thank you to all of those companies that consistently support Green Lodging News.
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