While at the International Hotel, Motel + Restaurant Show last month, I had one of those “wow” moments—an eye opener when it comes to just how far guestroom energy management technology has come. The vendor representative I was speaking with took out his handheld device—I am sure it was his phone/TV/garage door opener, etc.—and showed me how quickly he could access data summarizing the heating and cooling activity in the guestrooms of a particular hotel. Nothing too earthshaking about that but then he showed me how he could turn out the lights in a room hundreds of miles away from his handheld, and watch it happen on the handheld screen simultaneously. Of course I don’t advocate putting cameras in guestrooms (meeting or other rooms, maybe) but it was an impressive demonstration of technology. I am more excited than ever about the opportunities hoteliers now have to monitor and control energy consumption—on property and remotely.
Early in the new year I will be writing an article about the latest trends and advancements in guestroom energy management system technology. You can be sure I will be touching on key card systems, traditional motion sensor and infrared based systems, wireless technology, handheld and Web-based software, available financial incentives, and the ways companies are expanding upon systems to give guests bedside control of all electronic devices in a guestroom—TV, lighting, drapes, shades, etc.
Before I get started on my article, I need your assistance. Please take just a moment and answer at least one of the following questions and e-mail me at editor@greenlodgingnews.com with your response(s). Assuming that you currently have a guestroom energy management system in place, what do you like about it? What don’t you like about it? What do you wish it could do for you? If you have not yet invested in a guestroom energy management system, what has stopped you? (Cost? Maintenance or other fears?) Vendors promise up to 30 percent or more in guestroom-related energy savings. Assuming you have a system in place, has it actually delivered the promised savings and ROI—based on before and after analysis? And finally, are vendors doing a good enough job educating you about the upside of guestroom energy management systems? I will look forward to hearing from you!
I remember first coming across guestroom energy management systems way back in 1989 during my first International Hotel, Motel + Restaurant Show. Of course they were around before then. The technology has come a long way since the 1980s but the goal is the same: minimize the amount of time heating and cooling systems, as well as lighting and other electronic systems, are drawing power. If you are still allowing your guests (or your housekeepers) to control what is left on or not on in your hotel, you are throwing away money and negatively impacting the environment.
Participate in Towel & Linen Reuse Survey
The Sustainable Hospitality Council is conducting a survey on towel and linen reuse and needs your assistance. Click here to participate in the survey.
See You in Portland, Oregon or Orlando?
I will be attending and exhibiting at the Green Meeting Industry Council’s 2011 Sustainable Meetings Conference in Portland, Oregon from February 20 to 23, 2011. The event will take place at the Portland Doubletree Hotel. To register for the conference, go to www.sustainablemeetingsconference.com. I will also be moderating a panel discussion on certification programs for carpet and fabric at the NEWH Leadership Conference on January 14 in Orlando, Fla., at the Loews Royal Pacific Resort at Universal Studios. Click here for more information on the conference.
Advertising Opportunities
Green Lodging News is accepting reservations for advertising spots in 2011. Several new slots have opened up on the Green Lodging News website—two skyscraper ad spots on the right hand side of the site, the home page bottom banner ad spot, and the Featured Product ad spot in the weekly newsletter and in the lower center area of the home page. Be sure to contact me as soon as possible at (440) 243-2055, or by e-mail at editor@greenlodgingnews.com if you are interested in these ad spots. There are also many Green Supplier Spotlight dates available, and other spots on the website and in the weekly e-newsletter. The 2011 media kit is available by request or by clicking here. Thank you to all of those companies that consistently support Green Lodging News.
Happy Holidays to You & Your Family
Thank you for all of your great support in 2010. I wish you and your family a very happy and safe holiday season. Have a healthy and prosperous 2011.
Green Lodging News Blog & Twitter
Be sure to bookmark the Green Lodging News Blog in your browser. More importantly, participate with your comments. Green Lodging News is also now on Twitter. To follow my postings, go to http://twitter.com/greenlodging. Be sure to add Green Lodging News to those tweets that you follow. Green Lodging News now has 636 Twitter followers.
As always, I can be reached at editor@greenlodgingnews.com.
