Home Publisher's Point of View Make the Most of Earth Hour, Earth Day Activity Opportunities

Make the Most of Earth Hour, Earth Day Activity Opportunities

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Glenn Hasek

As I am writing this column, Earth Hour (held 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. local time on March 24) is just 15 days away and Earth Day (April 22) is about six weeks away. How will you be marking these occasions at your property this year?

Last year hoteliers organized many different activities. Sands China Ltd. used the entire month of March to shine an additional spotlight on environmental sustainability, focusing the attention of the public and its team members on Earth Hour and an in-house Climate Week. On Saturday, March 25, the company participated in Earth Hour for the 9th consecutive year, turning off lights at all its properties.

More than 350 Carlson Rezidor Hotels from Fiji to Brussels to Chicago participated in Earth Hour. Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel, Chicago lit candles around the property in place of the use of light fixtures and saved 16,513 watts of energy over a course of 3.5 hours. They also featured the “Thirsty in the Dark” cocktail during the hour.

Exterior lighting, rooftop signage, marquees and front features at all the MGM Resorts’ major Las Vegas resorts as well as MGM China in Macau, MGM National Harbor in Maryland, Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa in New Jersey, Gold Strike Tunica, and Beau Rivage Resort and Casino in Biloxi, Miss., were turned off from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. local time.

The Venetian | The Palazzo | Sands Expo celebrated Earth Hour in grand style in the Doge’s Palace plaza, in front of The Venetian. The resort’s official “Earth Hour DJ” led a countdown to the 8:30 p.m. start of Earth Hour, when all exterior building lights on The Venetian and The Palazzo were turned off for one hour. Team Members and guests came together (while enjoying music and inspired Earth Hour beverages) to create a planet Earth “mural” on the plaza using LED tea lights, beginning at 8 p.m. There were gondoliers doing performances as well. Green roses were handed out to guests who took a gondola ride. Seed packets were distributed for guests and Team Members.

Last Year’s Earth Day Activities

Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem held an Earth Day Fair at a local elementary school.

In a fundraising endeavor around Earth Day, Cintas employee-partners raised $4,300 for Ronald McDonald House Charities’ Adopt a Family program, which allows individuals and organizations to contribute to the well-being of families and children during a difficult time in their lives. This contribution funded approximately 170 nights for families in need.

1 Hotels timed the opening of its Brooklyn Heights property for Earth Day last year. A variety of activities were held including rooftop yoga led by Los-Angeles based instructor Caley Alyssa, group meditations led by Light Watkins and 1 Hotels’ in-house meditation leader Biet Simkin, astrology readings with Bess Matassa of Mojave Rising and one-on-one sessions with Treatment by Lanshin, a Brooklyn-based wellness studio. Additionally, there was a musical and visual performance by BELLA GAIA and live panel discussions around sustainability facilitated by CEO and Founder of mindbodygreen, Jason Wachob.

Indura Beach & Golf Resort, the first five-star resort in Central America within Curio—a Collection by Hilton, celebrated Earth Day by hosting a one-hour, informative nature walk on property grounds in Tela Bay, Honduras. Employees, guests, and local members of the community were invited to join the walk to learn about the green initiatives in place at the resort and what they can do at home to join the effort and combat this global issue.

Got plans for Earth Hour or Earth Day this year? Send them my way and I will include them in an upcoming article. Earth Hour and Earth Day are two great occasions to bring awareness of resource conservation and the state of the planet to employees and guests while having a blast at the same time. I can be reached at editor@greenlodgingnews.com, or by phone at (813) 510-3868.

GLN Adds ENTERGIZE, BD Imports, Pürlin to Directory

Green Lodging News welcomes ENTERGIZE, LLC, BD Imports and Pürlin to its Green Product & Service Directory. With 16 years of guestroom energy management experience, ENTERGIZE offers the key card product that some customers have had installed for over a decade. ENTERGIZE also offers a PIR thermostat. ENTERGIZE recently upgraded the PIR product and it is now backed by a 60-month warranty. The high quality PIR thermostat qualifies for utility company incentives. This will ensure that the hotel maximizes its opportunity to save money on energy. The product is easy for the hotel to install and the guest to use. Visit www.entergize.com, e-mail ddonalds@sbcglobal.net, or call (312) 342-4379.

BD Imports was founded in 1999 and serves as an award-winning importer and marketer of exceptional quality specialty coffees to the hospitality industry. The company believes in creating global relationships with partners who share in the belief that quality and social responsibility go together. BD Imports works directly with the communities that grows its coffees to ensure quality and sustainability. Call (877) 398-4298 or info@bdimports.com for more information.

Through its integrated closed-loop, recycling system Pürlin’s laundry-free linens satisfy the hospitality industry’s need to provide safe clean linens while protecting the environment. Pürlin allows guests to rest comfortably knowing that they’re the only ones to ever sleep on Pürlin’s soft, hypoallergenic, single use sheets. Utilizing the same man-made micro-fiber technology safely used in baby diapers and personal hygiene products for over 30 years, Pürlin simulates cotton without the use of dyes, pesticides, or chemicals. Pürlin consumes a fraction of the water required for cotton-based sheets and creates zero waste. Call (941) 504-3463 or e-mail info@purlinsheets.com.

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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 (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 2018?

Green Lodging News is accepting reservations for advertising spots for 2018. 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 2018 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 those companies that consistently support Green Lodging News.

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

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