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Checking in on the Progress of the AH&LA’s Green Efforts
Since launching Green Lodging News more than six years ago, I have closely followed the activities of the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA) as they relate to green lodging. While the AH&LA and I have not always agreed on everything, I have had a true, professional respect for the sustainability-related work of the organization. Through Pat Maher, the AH&LA’s “Green Guru,” AH&LA has worked hard to have a seat at the table of every important sustainability-related discussion.Ideally, AH&LA should have a full-time person dedicated to sustainability. That not currently being the case, it relies heavily on Pat as...
MGM Resorts International’s ‘Lion King’ Moment, Message
It is certainly one of the most unique and impactful ways I have heard of to convey a company’s diversity and inclusion, sustainability, community and engagement, and philanthropic message. What I am referring to is “Inspiring Our World,” a musical performance that will be put on by 70 MGM Resorts International employees from December 16 to 18 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. A total of 45,278 MGM Resorts International employees will see one of the nine scheduled 90-minute performances. Perhaps something like this could only happen in Las Vegas?I spoke with Patty Coaley, the originator...
October a Landmark Month for NGL Property Management’s Ramada Vineland
When the history of green lodging is written, a chapter should be set aside for the Ramada Vineland in Vineland, N.J. Last month the two-story, 102-room hotel did what few lodging establishments have done—generate more electricity than needed. It may be the first time a property the size of the Ramada has done this. The hotel’s electricity bill for the month? Zero dollars. Congratulations to John Scipione, owner of the hotel with his family, for reaching the “net zero” goal he set two years ago.I first wrote about the Ramada Vineland in July 2011. What is unique about it...
Green Exhibitors Had Strong Presence Again at IHMRS
I attended the International Hotel, Motel + Restaurant Show (IHMRS), Boutique Design New York (BDNY), and Hospitality Leadership Forum last weekend in New York City. New York City was a bit more of a challenge to navigate this year. The gas station located near my hotel kept running out of gas and it seemed like taxis were more difficult to find. Many exhibitors’ booth exhibits were damaged prior to the show because of flooding in the warehouse where booth materials were stored. Thank Hurricane Sandy for that. Because of the storm and other factors, the number of exhibitors at...
Hilton Unlocks Secret to Successful Mattress Recycling Business Model
It has got to be the most significant commitment to mattress and box springs recycling that our industry has ever seen. I am referring to Hilton Worldwide’s recent commitment and goal to recycle 85 percent of the mattresses and box springs that exit its owned, managed and franchised properties. I spoke with Randy Gaines, vice president, engineering operations for the Americas at Hilton Worldwide, to get more details about the program.Randy told me that as new Serta mattresses and box springs are installed as part of a hotel renovation or scheduled replacement, the old mattresses and box springs will...
List of Green Lodging Certification Programs Continues to Grow
Green Lodging News has added Puerto Rico, a Commonwealth of the United States, to its list of state, city and region types of green lodging certification programs. In addition to Puerto Rico, that list now includes 27 states, five cities and two regions. The Puerto Rico Tourism Co. actually launched its Green Lodging Program a year ago but it is just now beginning to make headway in getting properties on board. After quite a stretch of not adding a new program, it is good to see our certifications list grow again.Puerto Rico Tourism Co. (PRTC) now has three properties...
Looking Forward to This Year’s International Hotel, Motel + Restaurant Show
Because I will be attending the upcoming International Hotel, Motel + Restaurant Show (IHMRS) in New York City, November 10 to 13, I have already begun to receive invitations from vendors to stop by their exhibit booths. It is exciting to hear from so many new and returning “green” exhibitors. Will you be attending this year’s event? I highly recommend it as a way to learn about the latest eco-friendly products and services that can help you reduce energy and water consumption, clean green, and more responsibly handle “waste.”I have been attending the IHMRS since 1989 and have missed...
Savings Add Up Quickly When PTACs are Properly Maintained
When chatting with someone for an article on PTAC (packaged terminal air conditioner) cleaning and maintenance this past week, I was a bit taken aback by a comment he made. “When staying in a hotel, stay above the third floor,” he said. Was he serious? What he meant is that the closer PTACs and other types of heating and cooling systems are to the ground, the dirtier they will get—from lawn mowing, wind-blown debris, and even small critters looking for a home. If those PTACs are not cleaned as often as recommended, your guests on the lower floors are...
Book is Good Starting Point for Those Interested in Sustainable Interior Design
Architects, designers and anyone else interested in the construction, renovation and design of interior lodging spaces should read “Sustainability in Interior Design,” a book recently released by Siân Moxon. Moxon is an Associate at the architecture and interior design practice Jestico + Whiles in London. She teaches sustainable design at London’s South Bank University and the Royal College of Art. The book is published by Laurence King Publishing Ltd., London.Sustainability in Interior Design is separated into four chapters that guide interior designers through the sustainable design process. The first chapter, “Context,” introduces the principal environmental issues, and explores how...
Hilton Chips Away at 2014 Goals, Uses LightStay to Monitor Progress
As reported on Green Lodging News late last month, Hilton World announced the 2011 results of its LightStay sustainability measurement system. LightStay was officially launched in 2009. All Hilton hotels—now more than 3,900—are participating in LightStay, reporting data back to Hilton headquarters regarding waste generation, and energy and water consumption. Since the introduction of LightStay, the company has reduced its carbon output by 10.9 percent, waste output by 23.3 percent, energy use by 9.7 percent, and water use by 7.5 percent.Using 2008 as the baseline year, Hilton’s goal is to reduce energy consumption, CO2 emissions and waste output by...