Home Publisher's Point of View Drive Electric Orlando Officially Up & Running with Lodging Industry Support

Drive Electric Orlando Officially Up & Running with Lodging Industry Support

2011
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Back in April I reported on the coming of Drive Electric Orlando to the Orlando, Fla., area. The program officially launched last week. With the help of Enterprise Rent-A-Car, which is renting Nissan LEAF plug-in electric vehicles at its Orlando International Airport location, Orlando visitors can now drive an electric car to their hotel and favorite destinations. More than 20 Orlando area hotels/hotel companies are partners in the venture—each offering charging stations for guests. The Drive Electric Orlando website includes a handy map where one can find charging stations. There are now more than 300 charging stations available.

Many of the hotel partners are offering free valet parking for electric cars. Attendants will not only park the car, but also plug it in to recharge the battery. At hotels that don’t offer free valet parking, guests simply park in one of the designated charging station spots and plug in their car. There are nearly 14,000 Orlando area rooms that are electric car ready with more coming online every day.

At least one hotel, The Peabody Orlando, is offering an electric car-hotel package. Guests opting for the “Greencation” Package pay a rate starting at $175/night that includes room, electric car rental, valet parking, and special turndown service.

‘Ideal Location for Drive Electric Project’

The Electrification Coalition is leading the Drive Electric Orlando effort. “With more than 57 million visitors annually and one of the largest charging networks in the country, Orlando is the ideal location for the Drive Electric project,” said Robbie Diamond, president and CEO of the Electrification Coalition. “Where better to introduce Americans to the electric car than North America’s leading travel destination and the world’s largest rental car market?”

Orlando is also a destination in which the typical visitor drives short distances (from hotel to the theme parks, the convention center, restaurants and attractions), making it easy to see all that Orlando has to offer on a single charge.

Congratulations to Orlando for being selected for this innovative project. It is a public relations and marketing win and most definitely good for the environment. Is your community pursuing something similar? I would love to learn about it. I can be reached at editor@greenlodgingnews.com.

Green Lodging News Welcomes Robanda as Directory Partner

Green Lodging News welcomes San Diego-based Robanda Amenities as a Green Product & Service Directory partner. Robanda Amenities is a new division of Robanda International. Robanda follows ISO & GMP manufacturing standards and offers co-branding and full custom capabilities. The three stock collections, available in Environmentally Friendly Packaging (EFP), include: Eliganti—a paraben-free, cost-sensitive option; Ecorite—high quality formulas in biodegradable packaging; and Spa Essentials—created with paraben and sulfate free formulations with moisturizing, spa-like ingredients. Call (800) 783-9969, e-mail sales@robanda.com, or go to www.robandaamenities.com for more information.

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 (216) 848-1406, 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 (216) 848-1406, or by e-mail at editor@greenlodgingnews.com.

Planning Advertising for 2013/2014?

Green Lodging News is accepting reservations for advertising spots for 2013 and 2014. 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 2013 or 2014 media kit? Be sure to contact me as soon as possible at (216) 848-1406, 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.

Social Networking Sites

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As always, I can be reached at editor@greenlodgingnews.com.

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