I attended Boutique Design New York (BDNY) this past week. As usual, the folks behind the trade show and conference—Emerald Expositions—did a great job putting together the event. The trade show floor included about 650 exhibitors and that was the highlight for me—speaking with the exhibitors, learning about their cool products, and hearing the stories behind the products. Numerous exhibitors said the quality of the traffic to their booths was strong—a reflection of the post-pandemic strength of our industry.
The number of green or “greener” products has increased significantly in recent years and that was reflected on the show floor. I posted an article on Green Lodging News that highlights what some of the exhibitors featured. It would have taken an army of journalists to capture every sustainability story at the show. Be sure to check out my article.
Certainly one of the highlights for me was learning what Berner Air Curtains is doing in New Castle, Pa. The maker of air curtains is nearing the final stages for its new solar panel installation. It has the capacity to produce almost one gigawatt of power annually. Installation began in June, with plans for the array to be fully operational by the end of this year. The system is designed to cover all future expansion needs. Excess energy will initially be sent back to First Energy but will eventually be integral to a planned Berner facility expansion.
Circularity at a Very Micro Level
Another highlight for me was a chat with Sebastian Wiesenberg, Sales Director for HOUE USA. The company is a manufacturer of indoor and outdoor furniture. A chair at the HOUE USA booth caught my attention. It was made from recycled plastic—I know, not that uncommon these days. What is unique about the company is its circular approach to furniture making at the very micro level. Let’s say you have a company headquarters that produces a significant volume of plastic waste. Wiesenberg told me his company has the capability of taking that plastic waste to make furniture that is then sold back to you. That’s right, you can sit on a chair made from the very plastic “waste” that you produced. The name of HOUE’s unique business model: MyTrash.
Those are just two examples of the many stories that really caught my attention. I wish I could share all the stories I heard.
This was the first year that I have attended the fall New York show where the non-design part of the show was absent. That part of the show was previously called HX: The Hotel Experience and the International Hotel/Motel & Restaurant Show. I missed seeing exhibitors hawking everything from laundry equipment to electric vehicle charging stations. It was always great to see so many hotel schools involved as well at those shows. I understand that HX was shrinking a lot in recent years. Unless you attend a brand, association or niche-specific show in the coming year, you will have to wait for next fall’s The Hospitality Show to find a more operations-focused trade fair.
Green Lodging News Adds ReadyCare to Product Directory
Green Lodging News has added ReadyCare Industries to its Green Product & Service Directory in the “Amenities/Dispensers/Toiletries” category. ReadyCare is a leading provider of personal care amenities, supplies & private label solutions to world-class hotels, spas, health clubs & golf clubs. For over 30 years, Denver-based ReadyCare has helped thousands of properties deliver great experiences by ensuring their personal care offering aligns with their brand & their customers. ReadyCare offers many green solutions, from refillable dispensers that reduce traditional in-room bottle waste, along with biodegradable in-room amenities created with new environmentally friendly polymers, to renewable bamboo combs and toothbrushes that help clients to go green and reduce waste. Call (800) 477-4283 or e-mail info@readycare.com.
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 greenlodgingnews@gmail.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 greenlodgingnews@gmail.com.
Get in the Green Suppliers Spotlight!
Green Lodging News, lodging’s leading environmental news source, publishes Green Suppliers Spotlight, an e-blast to 19,692 subscribers that features the lodging industry’s leading green products and services. The e-blast features multiple vendors—unlike the current Green Supplier Spotlight that allows one supplier to “own” the Green Lodging News subscriber list for one e-blast. (Click here for a Green Suppliers Spotlight sample.)
Green Suppliers Spotlight is published weekly on Thursdays to general managers, owners, management companies, directors of sustainability, directors of engineering, facilities managers and many others who are either in purchasing positions or who influence purchasing decisions. Suppliers of green products and services throughout North America and beyond are invited to participate in the e-blast. (Minimum two suppliers per e-blast.) Green Suppliers Spotlight was created to give vendors an opportunity to reach a high number of industry purchasers at a very low cost—as low as $135 per e-mail. (Click here for rate sheet.)
Those advertising in Green Suppliers Spotlight can include up to 100 words, one image, contact information and multiple links to their website in their ad. At the end of each week, a report will be sent to each supplier with information on delivered e-mails, opens and click-throughs.
Planning Advertising for 2023 or 2024?
Green Lodging News is accepting reservations for advertising spots for 2023 and 2024. Many excellent spots are available on our website and in the weekly e-mail newsletter. Many Green Supplier and Green Suppliers Spotlight dates are also available. Interested in receiving a 2023 or 2024 media kit? Be sure to contact me as soon as possible at (813) 510-3868, or by e-mail at greenlodgingnews@gmail.com. Media kits can also be accessed by clicking here. Thank you to all 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 19,692. 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 greenlodgingnews@gmail.com to be added to our list.
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As always, I can be reached at greenlodgingnews@gmail.com.
