WASHINGTON, D.C.—The American Hotel & Lodging Assn. (AHLA) will hold its third annual Responsible Stay Summit at the Four Seasons Hotel, Washington, D.C. on March 27. According to AHLA, up to 150 are expected to attend.
Lauren Pravlik, Vice President, Committees & Member Engagement for AHLA, says the purpose of the Summit is to build upon the progress hotels have been making, and ensure that stakeholders are in step as they can be with those leading in sustainability.
“We always want to make sure we are helping our members,” Pravlik says. “The Summit is a place for thought leadership and networking—an opportunity to learn from one another.”
Pravlik says industry stakeholders with sustainability-centric roles, as well as suppliers in the sustainability space, will be attending the Summit that builds upon AHLA’s Responsible Stay initiative that sees hotels commit to waste reduction, water conservation, energy efficiency and responsible sourcing.
Opening Remarks from AHLA President & CEO
The day-long event will kick off with a welcome and opening remarks by AHLA President & CEO, Rosanna Maietta.
Maietta will be followed by Jason Feifer, Editor-in-Chief, Entrepreneur Magazine. His presentation is entitled, “Build for Tomorrow—Lessons for Adapting to Change.” Times of great disruption can be times of great opportunity—but how do you take advantage of it? Feifer will break down an actionable strategy for navigating moments of disruption, whether they’re giant (like the pandemic) or more specific (internal reorgs or shifts in industries). Change is tough, but it’s also a thrilling time filled with almost limitless opportunities for positive change and growth. Feifer offers his audience a way to reframe their relationship with change, spot opportunity in the once impossible, and get to “wouldn’t go back.”
Next on the agenda is a session entitled, “Collaboration, Disruption, & Mindset.” Speakers will include Chapter One, Andrew Mayock, Federal Chief Sustainability Officer, Biden Administration; Chapter Two, Maria Vargas, Senior Program Advisor, and Director, Better Buildings Initiative, US DOE; and Chapter Three, Kurt Ritter, Vice President, General Manager Sustainability, Coca-Cola.
Hear from the experts how the regulatory landscape is shifting (how to best prepare for impact), identify opportunities between the private and public sector to collaborate, and how the changing landscape is ultimately influencing the consumer.
‘Checking In: 2030 & Beyond’
In the first afternoon session, “Checking In: 2030 & Beyond,” Heather McCrory, Chair, Green Key Global, will moderate a panel discussion in which brand leaders will share innovative practices and strategies that are shaping a more sustainable and environmentally responsible future, and how they are navigating/adapting to the changing “environment” along the way. Panelists will include Townsend Bailey, Head of Corporate Responsibility, Americas, IHG Hotels & Resorts; Megan Brumagim, Vice President Upscale Brands & Chief Sustainability Officer, Choice Hotels International; Jean Garris Hand, Vice President Global ESG, Hilton; and Caitrin O’Brien, Vice President, ESG, Four Seasons.
The Checking In: 2030 & Beyond session will be followed by a presentation entitled, “Climate-Proofing Hospitality: Risk, Resilience & Action.” Michael Chang, FVP, Head of Sustainability & Resilience, Host Hotels & Resorts, and Laura Novak, VP, Risk Management, Host Hotels & Resorts, will share how Host is rethinking assets, building resilience, and making smart, strategic changes to future-proof their properties. The session will address how climate risks are reshaping hospitality. This session takes an ownership perspective on what it takes to prepare, adapt, and recover from extreme weather events.
Next on the agenda is “Dignity of Work: A Procure Impact Story Transforming Lives.” The Procure Impact team and representatives from their vendor marketplace will share stories of impact and how hotel company pledges to the Dignity of Work are shaping mission-driven procurement. Kevin Carey, President & CEO, AHLA Foundation, will moderate this discussion that includes Lauren McCann, CEO & Co-Founder Procure Impact and Procure Impact vendor representatives.
The final afternoon session is entitled, Hotel Marcel: Redefining Sustainable Hospitality.
The session description: “Explore the bold vision, creative problem-solving, and key design breakthroughs that made Hotel Marcel the first fully sustainable hotel. See how collaboration and out-of-the-box thinking are redefining hospitality.” The session will include a conversation with Kiersten Pearce, SVP Strategic & Executive Initiatives, AHLA and Bruce Becker, owner & architect, Hotel Marcel.
The summit will wrap up with a reception.
Go to Responsible Stay Summit for more information.
