Many of you will be reading this column in the midst of the holiday season. I do wish all of you a very healthy and safe time visiting with family and friends. At this time of the year I have to thank all of you for your ongoing support of Green Lodging News—whether as a reader, advertiser, supporter or sponsor. I am looking forward to an even better 2017.
Looking back on 2016, there were a number of highlights for Green Lodging News—record readership, the launch of the Green Lodging Survey with Greenview in April, our 10-year anniversary in July, and the launch of our new website in November.
Be sure to continue to read Green Lodging News for information on the 2017 Green Lodging Survey. It will open in the spring. We are currently seeking sponsors for year two of the survey. Contact me for information.
Suggestions on additions to our new website are always welcome. Don’t hesitate to contact me with them! And, we are always in need of guest columnists. Feel free to pitch your ideas.
This year had no shortage of big industry news stories. Was there one that stood out above them all? One has to wonder how a Trump administration will impact our industry. Will there be rollbacks in environmental regulations? What about the EPA? How will it be impacted? Much remains to be seen but I guarantee the C-level sustainability folks in our industry will be watching closely.
Starwood Acquisition by Marriott
The other big story was the acquisition of Starwood Hotels & Resorts by Marriott International. The purchase dramatically increased Marriott’s environmental footprint. Watch for coverage of how the two companies are merging their environmental programs and leadership early in the New Year.
Aside from Trump and Marriott, there were significant renewable energy project launches, improvements in benefits for working moms and dads, commitments to more sustainable food procurement, several properties achieving LEED Platinum, the reorganization of the Green Meeting Industry Council, the release of several important research reports, and the industry joining together in opposition to H.B. 2 in North Carolina—the bill forcing transgender students in public schools to use restrooms and other facilities inconsistent with their gender identity.
The one development I was most impressed by in 2016 was the July announcement that NRG Energy, Inc. and MGM Resorts International had completed expansion of the United States’ largest rooftop solar array. On the roof of the Mandalay Bay Convention Center, the expanded solar array has more than 26,000 photovoltaic panels and produces a combined 8.3 MW dc (6.5 MW ac) of electricity, a new national record for rooftop arrays. At full production, the system supplies 25 percent of the power demand of the entire Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino campus.
It is projected that the expanded solar installation will displace approximately 8,400 metric tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) annually, the equivalent of taking more than 1,700 automobiles off the road. The electricity produced is also equivalent to the average annual usage of 1,340 U.S. homes. Since completion of the first phase in 2014, the project has helped provide pricing stability for MGM Resorts, while reducing the amount of energy drawn from the southern Nevada grid during times of peak electricity demand.
NRG owns and operates the installation for MGM Resorts at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino. Through a 25-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA), Mandalay Bay Resort will purchase all the electricity generated by both solar arrays.
There may not ever be another solar project this size in our industry.
I am often asked by public relations types whether or not Green Lodging News produces an editorial calendar—a schedule of articles that will be produced throughout the year. I do not do that. I prefer to cover the news and trends as they occur.
Be sure to continue to follow Green Lodging News in 2017—no matter what. It promises to be a very interesting year.
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 (813) 510-3868, 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 (813) 510-3868, or by e-mail at editor@greenlodgingnews.com.
Planning Advertising for 2017?
Green Lodging News is accepting reservations for advertising spots for 2017. Many excellent spots are available on our new website, in the weekly e-mail newsletter, and Green Lodging Survey. Many Green Supplier Spotlight dates are also available. Interested in receiving a 2017 media kit? Be sure to contact me as soon as possible at (813) 510-3868, or by e-mail at editor@greenlodgingnews.com. Media kits can also be accessed by clicking here. Thank you to all of those companies that consistently support Green Lodging News.
Newsletter & Green Supplier Spotlight Circulation
The circulation of our weekly e-newsletter and Green Supplier Spotlight currently stands at 5,081. Thank you to our new subscribers for signing up. Be sure to encourage your colleagues to do the same. There are “subscribe” links on the Green Lodging News home page. You may also e-mail editor@greenlodgingnews.com to be added to our list.
Green Lodging News & Social Media
Green Lodging News now has 1,737 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 815 Facebook followers.
As always, I can be reached at editor@greenlodgingnews.com.
