SAN DIEGO—Planners of the Eighth Annual Resort Conference, the only conference planned by resort executives for resort executives, are educating attendees about ways to incorporate sustainable practices into their own day-to-day operations while taking steps to become more environmentally friendly.
Conference planners are cutting down on paper use at the three-day conference April 16-18 at the Hotel del Coronado in San Diego. Attendees will receive an electronic show program on a specially produced jump drive that will replace the traditional printed program. The drive will contain session descriptions, sponsor information, speaker bios, attendee directory and copies of session presentations.
“It’s a small step, but we’re saving trees just by cutting out the traditional printed program,” said Robert A. Gilbert, CHME, CHA, president and CEO of HSMAI. “We’ve had a lot of positive feedback from attendees, too.”
The conference pre-show brochure also received the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification, which represents superior commitment to preserving and promoting responsible forest management, for printing on paper from well-managed forests, controlled sources and recycled or wood fiber. The pre-show brochure is available electronically to cut down on paper use.
“Sustainability and corporate social responsibility are important values of the Daniels College of Business, of which the School of HRTM is part,” said David L. Corsun, Ph.D., Director and Associate Professor, School of Hotel, Restaurant, and Tourism Management, Daniels College of Business, University of Denver. “The sustainability focus of The Resort Conference, in the program and in our design and delivery of the meeting, are examples of us living and sharing the values of the College. We are proud to partner with HSMAI to help lead the industry in this direction.”
Resort industry professionals will have the opportunity to attend advanced sessions with industry experts focusing on ways to introduce sustainable programs without compromising property standards and customer expectations. Highlighted sessions include:
Sustainable Community Relations/Cultural Practices
Thursday, April 17, 10:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.
A session that explores how resorts can contribute to the preservation of the culture and communities which they are part of, in order to maintain the authenticity of the traveler’s experience, the desirability of the destination and mutually beneficial relations within the community.
Niche Innovations and the Mainstreaming of Sustainability: Redefining the Resort through Mixed Use
Thursday, April 17, 2 p.m. to 3:15 p.m.
This presentation by Crist Inman, CEO, The LaPaz Group and INCAE Business School, will highlight both modest and “outside the box” innovations at resorts around the world that demonstrate how the concept of sustainability is coming closer to intersecting with mainstream resort development and operational practices.
Changing to Sustainable Practices without Compromising Property Standards and Customer Expectations
Thursday, April 17, 3:45 p.m. to 5 p.m.
A discussion of sustainable practices using examples from various benchmark properties, and discussion of identification process techniques that have been effective for the developers and operators of those benchmark properties.
Embracing the Power of “Green” To Market Your Resort—A Best Practices Discussion
Thursday, April 17, 3:45 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Industry experts discuss marketing strategies behind environmentally friendly trends, and share examples of how many resorts are using the power of “Green” to gain media coverage, improve the guest experience, win more meetings business, and ultimately meet consumer demand.
The conference, sponsored by Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI) and The University of Denver’s School of Hotel, Restaurant & Tourism Management (HTRM), will also feature four additional general sessions; breakout tracks on marketing, operations and current trends; presentation of the Resort Executive of the Year; a golf tournament to benefit the HSMAI Foundation; and the HSMAI Resort Best Practices Subscribers’ Annual Meeting.
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