This past Tuesday (October 14), the Greater Miami & The Beaches Hotel Association honored hotels and allied businesses that are leading the adoption of sustainable hospitality practices at its 2nd Annual Sustainable Hospitality Awards. The event took place at the InterContinental Miami and I was asked to be a guest speaker at the event. Approximately 120 people attended. It was fun watching each of the award winners receive their awards—in categories ranging from Energy Efficiency & Conservation to Communication & Education. There is nothing like an awards ceremony to get folks charged up about sustainability.
I have been seeing an increasing number of green lodging/tourism awards programs pop up lately. Lodging Magazine will be presenting awards in five categories at its Lodging Green + Sustainability Conference + Expo later this month. The Hotel Association of New York City organized a competition for three sustainability awards this year. The awards will be presented on November 10. The Virginia Green Tourism Alliance is handling the Fourth Annual Virginia Green Travel Star Awards this year. Those awards will be presented at the Second Annual Virginia Green Travel Conference. It will take place December 8 to 9 at the Science Museum of Virginia in Richmond. Earlier this year, the American Hotel & Lodging Assn. announced the winners of the AH&LA Achievement Awards in the area of Good Earthkeeping. Those awards were presented at a Stars of the Industry awards ceremony at the AH&LA Legislative Action Summit in Washington, D.C. in March. AH&LA has been presenting Good Earthkeeping Awards for quite a few years now. The New York State Hospitality and Tourism Association presented a Good Earthkeeping Award at a banquet earlier this year.
I could go on and on listing examples of organizations that present green awards. I know some of the brands do it internally. I believe they are a great idea and there should be more of them. They need not always be at the association or company level. They can be at the property level as well. There are many upsides to awards. They motivate people and create a sense of fun and celebration. They can force one to document best practices. They can inspire peers to start their own sustainability programs. They are a great public relations tool and assist in sales efforts as well.
Years ago I helped run an awards program for journalists. It was a lot of hard work. There were times when categories drew many entrants and times when there were so few that I wondered if an award should be even presented. That is part of the awards world and every awards organizer has to deal with challenges. No matter what happens behind the scenes, folks are always happy to receive awards and love the opportunity to get out of the office to network and have some good food. Of course a luncheon or dinner is also a great opportunity to bring in guest speakers and bring business to a hotel. Savvy awards program organizers find ways to sell sponsorships, bring in exhibitors, and invite media. An awards program can also be a fundraising opportunity—a way to raise money for a green or other cause.
At your property, company or association with which you are affiliated, is there a structured awards program that recognizes accomplishments in energy conservation, water conservation, waste management, community involvement, etc.? If not, why not try to start one? And, if there is a program in place, I would love to learn about it. I can be reached at editor@greenlodgingnews.com, or at (813) 510-3868.
Green Lodging News Adds Essential Amenities as Directory Partner
Green Lodging News welcomes Essential Amenities as a Green Product & Service Directory partner. Essential Amenities provides luxury personal care items to luxury hotels and bed and breakfasts. The company’s products are produced with the environment in mind with post-consumer and recyclable packaging and environmentally friendly and cruelty free formulas. All of the company’s brands are made in the United States and are in stock and ready to ship immediately upon receipt of order. For more information, call (800) 541-6775, e-mail diana.johnson@essentialamenities.com, or go to www.essentialamenities.com for more information.
Mention Green Lodging News, Get Conference Discounts
If you have not yet registered for the Lodging Green & Sustainability Conference & Expo to be held October 28 to 30 at Aria Las Vegas, be sure to do so. If you register on-site, the rate for all 3 days is $595 to participate. However, if you register on-line here by October 27 you will save $100. Tuesday, October 28 only ($145): Master Class on Waste Management Innovations in the morning (10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.) which then includes the opening keynote speaker (4:40 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.) followed by the reception (5:30 p.m to 7:30 p.m). Wednesday, October 29 only ($245): Attend General and Breakout Sessions in three tracks (Finance, Engineering and Design). Breakfast, lunch and evening reception and dinner are also included. The dinner will be the first annual Sustainability Awards Dinner. Thursday, October 30 only ($195): Attend General and Breakout Sessions, plus a grand prize raffle and other giveaways located in the Exhibit Area. Note: Breakfast and lunch are included.
If you have not yet registered for the International Hotel, Motel + Restaurant Show, click here and use promo code GLN2014 for complimentary admission.
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 2014/2015?
Green Lodging News is accepting reservations for advertising spots for 2014/2015. 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 2014 or 2015 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.
Green Lodging News & Social Media
Green Lodging News now has 1,524 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 591 Facebook followers.
As always, I can be reached at editor@greenlodgingnews.com.
