HORSHAM, PA.—Green Key Global, the official green lodging certification program of the Indiana Hotel & Lodging Assn., will conduct a panel discussion at the annual Hoosier Hospitality Conference next week. The session, titled “Green Hotel Operations—Benefit the Environment & Your Bottom Line,” will take place on Tuesday, March 16 at 11:30 a.m. at the Grand Wayne Convention Center in Ft. Wayne, Ind. Roxanna Lopez, operations manager for Green Key Global, US Region, and a LEED Green Associate, will moderate.
The panel discussion will focus on some of the best practices and operational measures that hotel operators can embrace to realize immediate environmental, financial and marketing benefits. The emphasis on day-to-day hotel operations is at the core of the Green Key program, which helps properties become more environmentally and financially sustainable, enhance the wellness of their employees and engage their community. In addition to Lopez, the panel will include representatives from the Motel 6—Fort Wayne and the Sheraton Indianapolis Hotel & Suites, two Green Key member properties from Indiana.
“For us, the appeal of the Green Key program is its basis in sound environmental practice and the operational guidance it provides our member hotels,” said John Livengood, president/CEO of the Indiana Hotel & Lodging Assn., the sponsor of the Hoosier Hospitality Conference. “This panel session will provide attendees with some very tangible takeaways that will benefit the environment and their bottom line.”
More Than 400 Expected
The Hoosier Hospitality Conference is Indiana’s only all-industry educational and networking conference for hospitality leaders. More than 400 of Indiana’s hospitality industry professionals are expected to attend for the educational opportunities; the Green Key panel discussion is one of 25 seminars focused on the tourism, hotel and restaurant industries.
“If it isn’t already, green lodging should be a top-of-mind issue for every conference attendee involved in the hotel industry,” explained Lopez. “Recent studies have shown that as many as 60 percent of travelers consider a hotel property’s environmental programs prior to booking. Even if minimizing your environmental footprint isn’t a priority, understanding the interests of your potential guests certainly should be.”
The Indiana Hotel & Lodging Assn. adopted Green Key as its official statewide environmental initiative for the lodging industry in October of 2009. The program is managed via a partnership between the Association and Green Key Global.
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