GREATER FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA.—The sand is golden, the water is blue, and the rest of the destination is going green. The Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau, along with the Board of Broward County Commissioners, and in conjunction with private and public sector partners in the hospitality industry, is transforming Greater Fort Lauderdale into “Greener” Fort Lauderdale. The CVB is contributing by creating an environmentally-friendly in-room card for hotel guests and working with the hotels to become Florida Green Lodging certified.
“Greater Fort Lauderdale is actively making a commitment to preserving our water resources and sensitive ecosystems that are an essential component of our vibrant economy and quality of life,” said Nicki E. Grossman, president of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau. “With plans to build a LEED-certified convention center hotel and additional eco-friendly measures being implemented, Greater Fort Lauderdale is looking to not only protect natural habitats like the Everglades and mangrove preserves, but positively impact the environment and serve as an example for other organizations throughout the destination.”
In 2008, Fort Lauderdale will unveil detailed plans for a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Silver-certified 1,000-room convention center anchor hotel project, designed not only to serve its guests but the environment as well. Hilton Hotels has been recently selected to build and operate the 1,000-room anchor hotel for the Broward County Convention Center.
Striving to attract eco-friendly travelers, there are 22 Greater Fort Lauderdale properties in the process of being designated Florida Green Lodgings. Florida Green Lodgings are hotels or inns that feature innovative or imaginative programs for conserving natural resources, reducing waste and minimizing pollution.
Examples of Hotel Efforts
The following are properties currently instituting green initiatives that are not only financially smart but in the best interest of the planet:
• The Atlantic Resort & Spa. One of Greater Fort Lauderdale’s finest hotels, The Atlantic Resort & Spa welcomes guests into an environment that exudes cool while being eco-conscious. The hotel employs a recycling program of not only traditional items like cardboard, cans and bottles, but also oils from the kitchen that are distributed to organizations and individuals who use the oil in lieu of gasoline. Additionally, the hotel is striving to protect the wildlife that inhabits the adjacent beach, as The Atlantic will be implementing a save the turtles project in March.
• The Westin Diplomat Resort & Spa. Boasting 1,000 rooms, this hotel is one of the busiest in Greater Fort Lauderdale. Its newly ordained “Green Queen” has assembled a “Green Team” to facilitate the property’s green initiatives which include linen notices on the beds, towel notices in the bathrooms, energy-efficient fluorescent lighting, day lighting dimming controls for public spaces, energy-efficient windows, programmable timers or sensors to control HVAC in low-traffic, low occupancy areas, faucet aerators, water-conserving water closets, low-flow showerheads, saline generator for the swimming pool to reduce use of chlorine, and sidewalk sweeping instead of spraying with water.
• The Desoto Oceanview Inn and Desoto Ocean Spray. These are members of Greater Fort Lauderdale’s Superior Small Lodgings (SSL) program and the Green Hotels Association. Management at the Desoto has long been implementing water and energy conservation programs at both properties, and now is offering environmental education for a younger generation. Starting this May, children whose families stay at the Desoto for a week or longer will receive “Kermit the Frog” backpacks filled with “green” information and fun packs to show kids how they can help the environment when they return home.
• Hyatt Regency Bonaventure Convention Center and Spa. As a result of a recent $100 million renovation, the Hyatt Regency Bonaventure attracts customers not only with their wealth of luxurious on-site amenities, including an Elizabeth Arden Red Door Lifestyle Spa, but eco-friendly practices too. Green conscious property initiatives include a new property-wide recycling program, a water conservation program and the creation of a “green team” to spearhead the hotel’s environmental programs.
• Other hotels with green practices including reuse of bed linens and towels include Best Western Oakland Park Inn, Sea Gate Resort, Tropi Rock Resort, Renaissance Plantation Hotel, and Courtyard by Marriott-Weston. The Broward County Commission is providing free water conservation cards to Greater Fort Lauderdale hotels to present in-room for guests to observe.
Convention Center, Port Projects
Undertaking initiatives designed to enhance environmental sustainability, the Greater Fort Lauderdale hospitality industry has initiated resource conservation and eco-friendly programs at the Broward Country Convention Center and Port Everglades. The following outlines some of the green measures in place:
• The Broward Country Convention Center is focused on being an energy-wise building that provides the maximum in comfort and efficiency with optimum use of energy resources. Its mission is to achieve LEED Silver status in 2008.
• The facility has installed a reduced bleed cooling tower system that has reduced its fresh water consumption by approximately 10 million gallons.
• To reduce water usage, automatic flush mechanisms were installed in all restrooms—cutting water consumption in one half.
• Replaced the glass curtain wall with energy-saving coefficient glass that reduces the electrical energy requirement for interior lighting during the day.
• The facility has also invested in energy-efficient lighting fixtures and motion sensing light switches that illuminate rooms upon entry and automatically turn off lights when the room is unoccupied. LED lights replaced incandescent bulbs in all exit signs, and a Johnson Controls Energy Management System that prevents individual meetings spaces from wasting energy was also installed.
• All unused food remaining from events at the convention center is donated to the Daily Bread Food Bank to help feed those in need and to reduce waste.
• Port Everglades has hired Sari Berlin, a LEED A.P. (Accredited Professional) certified architect, to oversee completion of the Port’s Master Plan Update. Berlin will consult with project managers to ensure all buildings strive for ecologically sound growth.
• Port Everglades is also installing energy-efficient equipment in cruise terminals and office buildings designed to reduce greenhouse emissions by approximately 9.8 million pounds annually.
Go to the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau.
