This past week I had an opportunity to attend the Big Green Think Workshop in Vail, Colo. The event was organized by the Vail Valley Partnership, the Eagle Valley Alliance for Sustainability, and the Environmental Protection Agency Region 8. To see the aspen trees in their fall glory, there is no better time than late September/early October (see photo at end of this column) to be in Vail. It is too bad the scenery seemed to be a secret; I am pretty sure I was the only person staying at my hotel during the week and there were few tourists to be seen (many restaurants were not even open at night). Of course Vail in the summer and winter is a much more happening place.
One of the goals of the Big Green Think Workshop, which had about 80 in attendance, was to further the discussion regarding energy and water efficiency, waste management, certification, sustainability, and how to market the area as a green destination. I am sure it is the type of discussion many states, cities and towns are having.
What I was most impressed by at the workshop was learning how far the Vail community already has come in telling its sustainability story. There are numerous green-certified lodging establishments in the area that have received national publicity repeatedly for their environmental efforts. Also, the Eagle Valley Alliance for Sustainability and the Vail Valley Partnership have partnered to produce a 2010-2011 Vail Valley Green Guide. The first-time print guide features vendors (including hotels, inns, etc.) that offer green services in the Vail area. The print guide, which is printed on 100 percent recycled paper, also has a corresponding website. Be sure to check it out.
Interesting Mix of Companies
Have businesses in your area joined to produce this type of online or print guide? I would love to hear about it. Especially for tourists who may not do all of their travel planning online, the print guide is important. In Vail’s guide, one can find a bank with a green team, designers and installers of solar systems, a company that will deliver natural and organic grocery items to your home, and even a housekeeping company that caters to hotels and uses nontoxic, natural and organic cleaning products (a great business idea).
In their print guide, the organizations that put it together state: “We at the Eagle Valley Alliance for Sustainability and the Vail Valley Partnership are shameless capitalists. We believe in the power of markets to transform our world. And we believe in the virtuous nature of consumers to make responsible decisions when provided the right information. So we worked together to bring you the first-ever Vail Valley Green Guide, our humble contribution to the local business market.”
If you have been wondering how to expand your green message and generate new revenue as a result, perhaps it is time to join together with other green businesses in your community to create a green business guide. It may not be miracle worker for you but it certainly will help expose your lodging establishment to the LOHAS (Lifestyles of Health and Sustainability) crowd and green wannabes as well. You may even make some new friends along the way. Your thoughts? I can be reached at editor@greenlodgingnews.com.
See You in New York?
I will be attending the International Hotel, Motel + Restaurant Show in New York City. The event will be held from November 13 to 16 at the Javits Center. If you plan to attend or exhibit at the show, be sure to let me know. Approximately 700 exhibitors and 30,000 attendees are expected.
Off the show floor, seminars will address everything from adapting to new consumer attitudes and online customer interaction, to powering up profits and developing winning sales strategies. Be sure to catch “Green Certified Demystified” on Sunday, November 14, 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., featuring AH&LA green consultant Pat Maher. This program will address the process and criteria for the top green certification programs, including LEED, Energy Star and Green Key Global.
For more information about the International Hotel, Motel + Restaurant Show, click here.
Advertising Opportunities
Several new advertising spots 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 e-newsletter. 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 other excellent spots available on the website and in the weekly e-newsletter. The 2010 and 2011 media kits are available by request or by clicking here. Thank you to all of those companies that consistently support Green Lodging News.
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As always, I can be reached at editor@greenlodgingnews.com.
