Some random thoughts for the week:
I received a call from an owner of four hotels last week, each of which is at least partially solar powered. I could quickly tell he was passionate about keeping his hotels’ environmental impact as small as possible. What he brought up to me was the clash between an owner’s reality and keeping up with a brand’s property improvement plans (PIPs)—standards that themselves could wipe out any environmental gains the owner has made through his or her investments over the years. What he told me was that the environmental impact of one renovation of one of his hotels—upgrading furniture and other items, etc. was going to wipe out the 10 years of environmental investments (carbon impact) and efforts he had made to make his properties green. Why? Because those new purchases consume resources, may have traveled thousands of miles, etc., and he now faces the dilemma of disposing of the now “outdated” furniture, fixtures, etc. He suggested that brand standards are not good enough and should allow leeway for keeping items that are still design-fresh and presentable to guests.
Have you faced the same dilemma? I had never thought of a renovation that way—that it alone could negate all the environmental gains one has made since the previous renovation. The owner I spoke with suggested brand standards just are not good enough when it comes to sustainability.
A New Pandemic Reality
As more and more Americans and others get vaccinated and guidance regarding face mask wearing changes, I encourage you to continue to implement best practices regarding indoor air quality and green cleaning and disinfection. Many green innovations emerged during the pandemic, many of which I wrote about here. Now is an opportunity to put bad, toxic practices behind us and make our hotels centers of wellness in all areas for years to come—in public areas and guestrooms. And, if you transitioned to wasteful single-use items during the pandemic, it is time to transition back to more sustainable options.
PM Hotel Group
Do not miss my feature this week on the Chevy Chase, Md. based PM Hotel Group. I had an opportunity to chat with Christie Berlin, Director of Sustainability + Facilities. The company is a very green-thinking company when it comes to hotel development and management. It manages four LEED hotels, including one LEED Platinum (Home2 Suites by Hilton Silver Spring, Md.) and purchases 100 percent green energy. “We started 10 years ago with 11 hotels,” Berlin says. “We now manage 51 and are working on three development projects at the moment.” Four of the hotels have solar arrays.
Last year PM Hotel Group partnered with One Tree Planted and committed to plant 1,000 trees annually. It is a project to which employees can now donate. Berlin says the program is one example of how the company attracts and retains talent.
Got news to share or you just want to vent about something? I can be reached at greenlodgingnews@gmail.com.
Green Lodging News Adds High Sierra Showerheads to Product & Service Directory
Green Lodging News has added High Sierra Showerheads® to its Green Product & Service Directory in the Showerheads category. High Sierra showerheads can save up to 40 percent on water and energy costs and are best rated by CNET, CNN Underscored, Wirecutter, Popular Science, and have 4.5+ Amazon stars. They are trusted by distinctive properties like Spruce Peak (Stowe, Vermont), Wickaninnish Inn (Canada), and 7 Gables Inn (Pacific Grove, Calif.). They are solid metal for extreme durability. They will not clog from hard water minerals. The handheld model delivers a luxurious spray of large droplets and features a thoroughly comfortable rubber grip. Information? Call (888) 445-1941 or visit www.highsierrashowerheads.com. You may also e-mail info@highsierrashowerheads.com.
Who is Your Sustainability Champion?
Green Lodging News is always looking to profile sustainability champions in our Personnel Profile section. If you would like to nominate someone for this section of Green Lodging News, contact me at (813) 510-3868, or by e-mail at greenlodgingnews@gmail.com.
Looking for Guest Columnists
Every two weeks Green Lodging News posts a new guest column on its website. (Click here for examples.) The guest column also appears in the weekly e-newsletter. Green Lodging News is currently in need of industry experts to contribute occasional guest columns. Experts may include consultants, architects, designers, suppliers and those who own or operate green lodging establishments. Columns may be articles that take a stance on a particular subject or be strictly educational in nature. Columnists benefit by having their photo included along with a one paragraph description of their company. Interested in writing a column? Contact Glenn Hasek, publisher and editor, at (813) 510-3868, or by e-mail at greenlodgingnews@gmail.com.
Get in the Green Suppliers Spotlight!
Green Lodging News, lodging’s leading environmental news source, publishes Green Suppliers Spotlight, an e-blast to 23,714 subscribers that features the lodging industry’s leading green products and services. The e-blast features multiple vendors—unlike the current Green Supplier Spotlight that allows one supplier to “own” the Green Lodging News subscriber list for one e-blast. (Click here for a Green Suppliers Spotlight sample.)
Green Suppliers Spotlight is published weekly on Thursdays to general managers, owners, management companies, directors of sustainability, directors of engineering, facilities managers and many others who are either in purchasing positions or who influence purchasing decisions. Suppliers of green products and services throughout North America and beyond are invited to participate in the e-blast. (Minimum two suppliers per e-blast.) Green Suppliers Spotlight was created to give vendors an opportunity to reach a high number of industry purchasers at a very low cost—as low as $200 per e-mail. (Click here for rate sheet.)
Those advertising in Green Suppliers Spotlight can include up to 100 words, one image, contact information and multiple links to their website in their ad. At the end of each month, a report will be sent to each supplier with information on delivered e-mails, opens and click-throughs.
Planning Advertising for 2021?
Green Lodging News is accepting reservations for advertising spots for 2021. Many excellent spots are available on our website and in the weekly e-mail newsletter. Many Green Supplier Spotlight dates are also available. Interested in receiving a 2021 media kit? Be sure to contact me as soon as possible at (813) 510-3868, or by e-mail at greenlodgingnews@gmail.com. Media kits can also be accessed by clicking here. Thank you to all those companies that consistently support Green Lodging News.
Newsletter & Green Supplier Spotlight Circulation
The circulation of our weekly e-newsletter and Green Supplier Spotlight currently stands at 23,714. Thank you to our new subscribers for signing up. Be sure to encourage your colleagues to do the same. There are “subscribe” links on the Green Lodging News home page. You may also e-mail greenlodgingnews@gmail.com to be added to our list.
Green Lodging News & Social Media
Green Lodging News now has 1,775 Twitter followers. Thank you to all of those who follow our tweets. In addition to following us on Twitter, be sure to bookmark the Green Lodging News Blog in your browser. More importantly, participate with your comments. Green Lodging News is also on Facebook. Be sure to “Like” us there. Green Lodging News now has 985 Facebook likes.
As always, I can be reached at greenlodgingnews@gmail.com.
