This past weekend I had the opportunity to witness the damage caused by Hurricane Ina first-hand. I will never forget it. The areas in Southwest Florida hit by the record-expensive storm reminded me of a third-world country that had been hit by a tsunami. It is estimated that a surge rose as high as 13+ feet in areas that sit just a few feet above ground. Miles of beaches disappeared thanks to the surge churned up by 155 mph winds. I saw hotels devastated and of course the hurricane set back tourism in the area for many years to...

Groupe GM recently marked 50 years of supplying amenities to the hotel industry. Throughout its many years in business, sustainability has remained a key focus—so much so that it formalized its green commitment in 2018 with its Care About Earth program. Aiming to strengthen the company’s environmental and social actions, the objective behind the program is to reduce the impact of the hospitality products on the environment. Groupe GM is an industry example of a company that has innovated toward less environmental impact while meeting the regulations of the many countries in which it does business. Groupe GM demonstrated its...

The National Climate Assessment summarizes the impacts of climate change on the U.S., now and in the future. To some extent, global climate change is addressed, as the U.S is not isolated from global impacts. A team of more than 300 experts guided by a 60-member Federal Advisory Committee produced the recent report, which was extensively reviewed by the public and experts, including federal agencies and a panel of the National Academy of Sciences. The report is set up so that you can easily view sections individually. For example, there is a section on response strategies to climate change. Climate change...

Offering a unique promotion related to something you have done sustainably can get your company or property in the news and that is exactly what Booking.com has done with its two-night weekend getaway at the new “Smokey Bear Ranger District House” in New Mexico’s Lincoln National Forest, the birthplace of the famed nostalgic environmental icon. After the stay, the sustainable house will be donated to the forest as a place of respite for park rangers and firefighters who dedicate their life’s work to protecting the environment and local communities. Created out of recycled and sustainable materials, Booking.com’s Smokey Bear Ranger...

Have you ever heard of the term “green-hushing”? I learned about the term in a new report from South Pole called “Net Zero and Beyond.” In this year’s report, South Pole looked at over 1,200 private companies that have a sustainability or CSR head and can thus be deemed a proxy for companies leading on climate action. South Pole found a surprising trend: nearly a quarter of those surveyed global climate leaders will not be publicizing their achievements and milestones beyond the bare minimum or as required by for example the Science Based Targets initiative. This, South Pole says,...

The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) just issued its Living Planet Report 2022. It is a comprehensive study of trends in global biodiversity and the health of the planet. The report will come as a shock to those not following our planet’s health and a strong reminder of our planet’s status to those who do follow it. Our industry should pay attention because its growth does impact the planet’s health of its residents and creatures of all sizes. The report begins with this fact: There has been an average decline of 69 percent in species populations since 1970. “While conservation efforts...

In my most recent Publisher’s Point of View column I wrote about the good things VISIT FLORIDA is doing to assist the victims of Hurricane Ian. I just learned that Clarion Events, producers of the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Show which will take place at the Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando, November 1 to 3 leapt into action to find ways that they, the exhibitors and attendees could help support those impacted. During the trade show and conference, which will take place as planned, 100 percent of attendee registration fees collected, along with financial donations, food, equipment, and other items...

What are the 6 Food Waste Prevention Myths? Leanpath, a food waste prevention specialist, recently released a document explaining the myths. If you have an F&B operation at your property, or even if you don’t, I highly recommend reading the document. First, the six myths, according to Leanpath: 1. My team doesn’t have time to track and prevent food waste. 2. Food waste prevention technology is too expensive. 3. Food waste is a result of poor performance. 4. My kitchen controls its food waste: we donate and compost. 5. You fix food waste once and you’re done. 6. It’s not the time. I have too...

Capterra conducted the Consumer Sustainability Expectations Survey in August 2022 among 759 U.S. consumers to learn about their expectations and preferences for sustainably made and transported goods. The goal of the survey is to understand consumers’ expectations and shopping behavior for products being made and shipped sustainably. While Capterra’s survey was not focused on hospitality, it does provide some insight into how consumers are thinking, and shopping, these days. For the survey, 759 consumers were asked questions to learn about their expectations and preferences for sustainably made and transported goods. Here are just some of the findings from the survey: In...

It was in June 2018 that Marriott announced it had broken ground on its new headquarters in Bethesda, Md. I received word yesterday that Marriott will hold a grand opening celebration of its headquarters on Monday, September 19. The 21-story, 785,000 square-foot LEEDv4 Gold-certified facility is home to corporate associates supporting over 8,100 hotels in 139 countries and territories. According to Marriott, its new headquarters includes several unique elements: Associate cafeteria, named The Hot Shoppe in a nod to the company’s first restaurant, with 9,500 square feet for dining, including 350 indoor seats and 100 outdoor seats. Grand floating staircase...