What an adventure the past couple of weeks have been for all of us—with news developments impacting our industry dramatically—a new president who immediately announced a new COVID-19 advisory task force, the news that Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine could be up to 90 percent effective, yet day upon day of records for new virus cases that are certainly keeping travelers from wanting to travel to hotels in those hot spots. Without getting political here, please keep up the mask wearing, the hand washing, the social distancing, and require those of your guests.
I dropped my son off at his after-care program this past week and the teen welcoming the kids was not wearing a mask. I frequently see the same in other public places. Yes, after all this time there are those who are refusing, forgetting, you name it, to wear masks and it is impacting us all. Five people in my wife’s family got the virus and one in my own; it is not anything to take lightly. Two of those people were hospitalized with pneumonia. As of today, 246,291 have died in our country from COVID-19. And to think that simple gestures could have saved so many of those lives. It is truly one of the most shameful moments in our country’s history.
I have reminded people numerous times when I have seen them not wearing masks. Sometimes people just forget. I spoke with a friend this week and his wife confronted a man in a Costco who was not wearing a mask. My friend said the man went crazy. I certainly hope the guests who visit your property are more respectful. That said, prepare your staff in how to handle those who refuse to don a mask. (This article may help you.)
Safe Stay Has Been a Success
I must say that our industry and its suppliers have done a great job responding to COVID-19. Keep up the good work. The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) just reported that its Safe Stay initiative continues to grow with endorsements coming from leading scientists, physicians and public health experts in epidemiology and infectious disease.
Each day I receive news from companies introducing products and services to keep your guests and team members safe. It is amazing how much a crisis can drive innovation. Keep reading Green Lodging News each day for these announcements. I have done my best to post only safe and non-toxic solutions. Oftentimes, the products I write about simply use water—either heated or manipulated in some way.
Do not hesitate to contact me with news about a product or service that has been helpful to you. I will share it with my readers. Only together and as a team are we going to make it through this.
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 25,061 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 2020 or 2021?
Green Lodging News is accepting reservations for advertising spots for 2020 and 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 2020 or 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 25,061. 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.
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As always, I can be reached at greenlodgingnews@gmail.com.
