The U.S. lodging industry has been waiting a while now for one of the numerous national green lodging certification programs to catch on in a big way. Green Seal has certainly gained momentum in the past year, with major commitments from the Kimpton Hotel & Restaurant Group, as well as from hotels in the Chicago and Los Angeles areas. Green Globe International has also made some headway, as well as the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED program. An announcement this week made by the Hotel Association of Canada (HAC), however, could catapult its Green Key Eco-Rating Program far ahead of the others. In the announcement released exclusively to Green Lodging News, HAC stated that it has revised the Green Key program for the U.S. market with the launch of Green Key Global.
The Green Key Eco-Rating Program has had tremendous success in Canada. A total of 1,166 properties there are now Green Key rated (34.5 percent of the market). Just over 60 percent of all guestrooms in properties 30 rooms and above are represented in Green Key. The program has existed since 1997 but it is only in the past few years that there has been a surge in membership. Walter Willett, director business development with HAC, attributes Green Key’s recent more than quadrupling in size to the support of HAC’s board of directors as well as lodging companies, recognition of the program by the Government of Canada, and acceptance by AAA, CAA, the Association of Corporate Travel Executives, the Rainforest Alliance, Meetings and Incentive Travel Magazine, and others.
For those of you not familiar with the Green Key Eco-Rating Program, participants are asked to complete a self-administered audit that includes 140 questions. Covered in the audit are operational areas and sustainable practices such as Corporate Environmental Management, Housekeeping, Food & Beverage Operations, Conference & Meeting Facilities, Engineering, Energy Conservation, Water Conservation, Solid Waste Management, Indoor Air Quality, and Community Outreach. Participating hotels are rated from 1 to 5 keys. (Less than 1 percent of Canada’s Green Key participants have achieved 5 keys; most—59 percent—have earned 3 keys.) The user-friendliness and affordability of Green Key has contributed to its success. Currently, about 20 percent of Canada’s Green Key member properties are inspected annually. This number of annual inspections is expected to increase over a three-year period to a point where rated hotels will automatically be inspected every two years.
Green Key Partners with LRA Worldwide
When speaking with industry leaders about the possibility of entering the U.S. market, Willett says what was made clear is that there needs to be a robust field inspection process to enhance the credibility and visibility of the program. Keeping that top of mind, HAC has partnered with LRA Worldwide to carry out mandatory on-site inspections. LRA Worldwide specializes in quality assurance inspections and has 80 field inspectors available throughout the United States to support Green Key. HAC’s partnership with LRA Worldwide should give it a competitive edge as it works to gain U.S. market share.
Every national green lodging certification program is different and has its own strengths and weaknesses. Whether because of price, complexity, or lack of personnel or marketing focus, some programs have been slow to catch on. Given Green Key’s success in Canada and its relationship with LRA Worldwide, it has a very good chance of becoming the United States’ most widely accepted green lodging certification program—even as the other certification programs continue to grow. Be sure to continue to visit Green Lodging News for updates on the progress of the Green Key Eco-Rating Program. (Click here to read more about Green Key’s decision to enter the U.S. lodging market.)
GLN Welcomes Edro Corp., Verde International as Directory Partners
Green Lodging News welcomes the Edro Corporation and Verde International as Green Product & Service Directory partners. Edro washer-extractors are fitted with the company’s proprietary on-board DynOzone—DynaWash Ozone System. The machines reduce hot water requirements and shorten cycles to save on operating costs. Edro washer-extractors feature highly efficient motors and drives and state-of-the-art HMi touch screen controls. The company’s high efficiency tumbler dryers, available in capacities from 35 to 450 pounds, complete the laundering process. For additional information, call (800) 628-6434, e-mail aholaday@edrodynawash.com, or go to www.edrodynawash.com.
Verde offers chemical-free, natural mineral cleaners for every application. Its products include an All Surface Pro Cleaner, Odor & Dust Control, Super Degreaser, and Concrobium Mold Control. The company’s concentrated powders are more economical for storage and shipping versus liquid solutions containing mostly water. Because Verde’s products include no soaps or detergents, no rinsing is required. To learn more, call (954) 530-3728, e-mail richardh@verdeii.com, or go to www.verdeii.com.
Green Lodging News on the Radio
I was recently interviewed for the Green is Good weekly radio show. If you would like to listen to my conversation with John Shegerian and Mike Brady, click here.
Have a Product You Would Like to Feature?
The Featured Product Spot in the Green Lodging News weekly e-mail newsletter is available December through March. Interested in having your product featured there? Call me at (440) 243-2055, or contact me by e-mail at editor@greenlodgingnews.com. Additional ad spots are also available for the remainder of 2009. A 2009 media kit is now available by request or by clicking here. For a 2010 media kit, click here. Thank you to all of those companies that consistently support Green Lodging News.
Looking for a Few Good Guest Columnists
Feeling passionate about a subject related to green lodging? Interested in helping to educate our industry while getting a good plug for your own company at the same time? Give me a call or send me an e-mail. I am currently in search of industry experts to submit occasional guest columns ranging from 700 to 1,000 words in length.
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