A towel cabinet with a discreetly placed sensor that lets your housekeepers know whether or not towels were touched by a guest—saving you from washing unused towels. Shower curtains and liners made from recycled polyethylene terephthalate. Amenity dispensers that can be imprinted with any photo or image you wish. Architectural hardware made with antimicrobial bronze. Bed frames made from recycled railroad t-rail. Automatic sensor-based faucets with the look of luxury. A mattress company with its own mattress and foundation recycling program. LED bulbs with a fluid inside to keep the bulbs cool. These are just some of the unique innovations I came across last week while walking the floor of the Hospitality Design Expo in Las Vegas.
As with other HD Expos I have attended, this year’s show was filled with FF&E with green features, lighting and other technologies to save energy, water-saving showerheads, toilets and faucets, and other products that ultimately reduce waste. In each case, careful attention was made to the design of the product—I was particularly impressed by this year’s crop of floor covering patterns—how it was made during the manufacturing process, and what its fate will be at the end of its life. There is not enough space here to describe all of the green innovations I came across at this year’s show. You can access this year’s list of exhibitors by clicking here.
While at the trade show I was approached by someone who thought there were not as many green exhibitors as in years past. At first I thought he had a point but when I looked at the stack of business cards I brought home, it was clear that there were just as many as in previous years—or more. What perhaps has changed is that sustainability has become so ingrained in some companies’ culture that they no longer make the green splash that they once did in their trade show booths.
Green Luncheon, Expo Conversations
In addition to meeting with vendors, other highlights of this year’s show included an NEWH Student Scholarship Awards Luncheon and Green Voice Panel Discussion, four Green Voice Conversations with industry experts on the trade show floor (I moderated one of these well-attended conversations), and a session on Creating a Sustainable ROI for Hotels. Click here for more details on those events.
Las Vegas has a reputation for excess, and deservedly so, but the gaming industry is doing a great job making progress at reducing its environmental footprint. While in town for HD Expo I had an opportunity to meet with part of Las Vegas Sands Corporation’s sustainability team. Be sure to read my blog post about the tour I had of the unique water filtration system located 48 feet below the complex that includes The Palazzo, The Venetian and Sands Expo.
I always enjoy HD Expo and am already looking forward to next year’s event. In the coming weeks and months expect to learn more about the innovations and companies I learned about while visiting Las Vegas last week.
Green Lodging News Adds Swegon as Directory Partner
Green Lodging News welcomes Swegon as a Green Product & Service Directory partner. Swegon’s PARAGON compact Comfort Module provides hoteliers with energy savings and reduced maintenance costs while offering guests silent, draft-free air-conditioning. Advanced chilled beam technology enables ventilating, cooling and heating without an in-room fan or compressor, and maximum energy savings through integrated, intelligent controls. Call (952) 564-6034, e-mail info_us@swegon.com, or click here.
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 (216) 848-1406, or by e-mail at editor@greenlodgingnews.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 (216) 848-1406, or by e-mail at editor@greenlodgingnews.com.
Planning Advertising for 2013?
Green Lodging News is accepting reservations for advertising spots for 2013. Many excellent spots are available on the website and in the weekly e-mail newsletter. Many Green Supplier Spotlight dates are also available. Interested in receiving a 2013 media kit? Be sure to contact me as soon as possible at (216) 848-1406, or by e-mail at editor@greenlodgingnews.com. A media kit can also be accessed by clicking here. Thank you to all of those companies that consistently support Green Lodging News.
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As always, I can be reached at editor@greenlodgingnews.com.
