The trade publishing business has taken a hit in the last couple of years. Two publishing companies with lodging magazines filed for bankruptcy protection and one other one shut its lodging publication down entirely (along with 22 other magazines). That is why I feel fortunate to be celebrating my 200th newsletter this week. Yes, 200 columns. Thank you to all of you who faithfully read my publication. Thank you also to those industry suppliers who loyally support Green Lodging News. Without the support of those companies, Green Lodging News would not exist. When looking for green products and services, choose those companies you find here first and be sure to tell them where you found them.
It has been a challenge and a lot of fun to seek out topics of interest over the past 200 weeks. It has been rewarding to know that some of my columns have prompted real change. As Green Lodging News enters its second run of 200 weeks, don’t stop submitting your article ideas. You know where to find me. Continue to tell your colleagues to subscribe to the Green Lodging News newsletter. There are now more than 12,400 subscribers. Don’t stop visiting the Green Lodging News website, a place where more than 50,000 total visitors gather each month.
In the coming months expect to see a few changes on the Green Lodging News website. The site will be redesigned and updated. A new Vendor Videos section will be added for suppliers to promote their products. A separate videos section will be reserved for other videos. What types of videos? They may include news segments about green hotel companies or properties, educational videos, or speeches from conferences or trade shows. If you have already produced or are considering producing a video, keep Green Lodging News in mind. More information about the video sections will be released soon.
In the past few years there have been many new green lodging certification programs introduced. The new Green Lodging News website will link directly to a list of those programs from its home page. My tweets on Twitter will be prominently displayed and there will be more than twice as many links to “news & features” and “vendor news.” There will also be a new section prominently displaying upcoming events and my most recent news blog post will also be displayed on the home page. Green Lodging News will turn “4” in July—still a baby when compared to other industry trade publications—but still in need of a new look.
Sitting here in my office space in the middle of Berea, Ohio, I am extremely optimistic about the future of Green Lodging News and the green lodging movement in general. Thank you again for all of your support these first 200 weeks.
Green Lodging News Adds Green Seal as Directory Partner
Green Lodging News welcomes Green Seal, Inc. as a Green Product & Service Directory partner. Green Seal is a nonprofit organization that uses science-based standards and certification to help shoppers, travelers and companies identify what is truly green. Since 1995, Green Seal has partnered with the lodging industry, the United States’ second largest employer, to promote environmentally responsible products and practices within lodging properties. Green Seal works in a variety of ways with the lodging industry and its users, providing technical guidance, case studies, and certification of green hotels. For more information, e-mail greenseal@greenseal.org, call (202) 872-6400, or click here.
Advertising Opportunities in 2010
There are still some excellent Green Lodging News advertising opportunities available for 2010, including ad spots on the website and in the weekly e-newsletter. There are also many Green Supplier Spotlight dates available throughout the year. If your company has a product or products it would like to feature in Green Lodging News in 2010, be sure to contact me at (440) 243-2055, or by e-mail at editor@greenlodgingnews.com. The 2010 media kit is available by request or by clicking here. Thank you to all of those companies that consistently support Green Lodging News.
Green Lodging News Blog & Twitter
Be sure to bookmark the Green Lodging News Blog in your browser. The address for the blog is http://greenlodgingnews.blogspot.com. More importantly, participate with your comments. Green Lodging News is also now on Twitter. To follow my postings, go to http://twitter.com/greenlodging. Be sure to add Green Lodging News to those tweets that you follow. Green Lodging News now has 425 Twitter followers.
As always, I can be reached at editor@greenlodgingnews.com.
