I have begun a series of articles on the various green lodging certification programs. Please be sure to look for them in the coming weeks. They will appear in no particular order. The first one, on Audubon International’s Green Lodging Program, was just posted on Green Lodging News. Be sure to check it out.
I have taken a really close look at just a few programs so far. None of them are perfect. They can all be improved in one way or another. Some of them have applications that just need a good proofreading. If you are involved in one or are considering one and notice something that needs to be improved, don’t hesitate to offer your suggestions to those who run the program.
What have I noticed so far? In one case I caught a question that was outdated by a couple of years. It made me wonder how often the application was closely looked at by those selling it. In another case it was clear that the questions need to be better organized within the application.
I found examples of “softball” questions—questions that are too easy to answer and that do not demand enough of the participant. Here is one example: “Is energy efficiency taken into consideration when purchasing new appliances and equipment?” Of course everyone is going to answer “yes.” To earn points, why not require that new appliances and equipment be energy efficient? In another example the application asked if the hotel “regularly” conducts tests for gases such as carbon monoxide and radon. What exactly does “regularly” mean? Is it too difficult to require that a specific number of tests be done? There has got to be a standard protocol for such tests.
More Input to Come
I will be sure to share other flaws I find in certification/designation applications in the coming weeks.
In general, certification programs do a fair to poor job providing marketing support. Sometimes websites are not updated or there is zero assistance from a social media standpoint. I should not be too surprised by that; certification program staffs tend to be pretty small. That said, if you are spending hundreds or even more than a thousand dollars to participate in a program, you definitely deserve at least a nice plaque to display at your front desk—more than a paper certificate.
I do believe there is great value in green lodging certification, especially when there is an on-site evaluation component.
Please be sure to watch for my articles in the coming weeks. In the meantime, if you have had a great experience with green lodging certification, I would love to learn about it. On the flip side, your war stories will also be appreciated. I can be reached at editor@greenlodgingnews.com, or by phone at (216) 848-1406.
Green Lodging News Welcomes Leak Beeper as Directory Partner
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Who is Your Sustainability Champion?
Green Lodging News is always looking to profile sustainability champions in our Personnel Profile section. If you would like to nominate someone for this section of Green Lodging News, contact me at (216) 848-1406, or by e-mail at editor@greenlodgingnews.com.
Looking for Guest Columnists
Every two weeks Green Lodging News posts a new guest column on its website. (Click here for examples.) The guest column also appears in the weekly e-newsletter. Green Lodging News is currently in need of industry experts to contribute occasional guest columns. Experts may include consultants, architects, designers, suppliers and those who own or operate green lodging establishments. Columns may be articles that take a stance on a particular subject or be strictly educational in nature. Columnists benefit by having their photo included along with a one paragraph description of their company. Interested in writing a column? Contact Glenn Hasek, publisher and editor, at (216) 848-1406, or by e-mail at editor@greenlodgingnews.com.
Planning Advertising for 2013?
Green Lodging News is accepting reservations for advertising spots for 2013. Many excellent spots are available on the website and in the weekly e-mail newsletter. Many Green Supplier Spotlight dates are also available. Interested in receiving a 2013 media kit? Be sure to contact me as soon as possible at (216) 848-1406, or by e-mail at editor@greenlodgingnews.com. A media kit can also be accessed by clicking here. Thank you to all of those companies that consistently support Green Lodging News.
Social Networking Sites
Green Lodging News now has 1,361 Twitter followers. Thank you to all of those who follow our tweets. In addition to following us on Twitter, be sure to bookmark the Green Lodging News Blog in your browser. More importantly, participate with your comments. Green Lodging News is also on Facebook. Be sure to “Like” us there. Green Lodging News now has 447 Facebook followers.
As always, I can be reached at editor@greenlodgingnews.com.
