The Element Eco-Travel Index is an annual index of green travel habits among frequent travelers.The faltering economy--not the fragile environment--is the biggest motivator for frequent travelers who have become "more conscious of waste".
Eco-conscious habits slip during trips.
- 46% of frequent travelers say they "always" recycle glass and plastic at home, that number dips to 36% on the road.
- Conserving water matters at home - more than 34% say they limit shower time or lawn-watering - but only 20% watch water consumption while traveling.
- Only about one-third of travelers surveyed consider themselves "outstanding" in their personal "green programs," with most feeling more like "green beginners."
Element is Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.'s newest lifestyle hotel brand and innovation lab for environmentally sustainable construction, building and operational practices. Element is the first major hotel brand to mandate that all its properties pursue the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification for high-performance buildings.
The Element brand's green features are cleverly designed to be as aesthetically appealing and eco-friendly. Element Hotels are equipped with
- Energy-efficient, stainless steel appliances and lighting,
- Amenity dispensers in the showers to reduce waste and water-efficient faucets and fixtures. Guests can continue daily routines such as recycling paper and plastics,
- Those driving hybrid cars are rewarded with priority parking.
- Even the ubiquitous "Do Not Disturb" sign has been replaced with an environmentally-friendly magnet.
For more information, visit www.elementhotels.com.
California and Florida were early states to adopt green lodging programs...and more states are joining the move to reduction of wasted water, energy and pesticide in hotel and restaurant facilities... Connecticut and Massachusetts have modeled their programs after Maine's. In Connecticut, for example, a property is asked to complete a workbook which includes a list of environmental practices.
As reported in Green Lodging News...
Connecticut
The Department of Environmental Protection in Connecticut and the Connecticut Commission on Culture and Tourism just launched its green lodging certification program.
Massachusetts
The Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism is expected to roll out its program as early as the end of June.
South Carolina
The South Carolina Hospitality Association, in partnership with the Division of Waste Management of that state's Department of Health and Environmental Control, is hammering out the final details of its green hotel and restaurant program. That self-certification program is expected to launch in July 2009.
The programs are good for the environment, encourage properties ranging from B&Bs to resorts to start environmental programs, and are good promotional vehicles for the states and individual properties.
According to Green Lodging News publisher, Glenn Hank's count, there are now 20 states with some form of program in place--or pending--to help hotels reduce their environmental impact while cutting costs at the same time. Not all of the 20 states offer complete certification programs.
As reported in Green Lodging News...
Connecticut
The Department of Environmental Protection in Connecticut and the Connecticut Commission on Culture and Tourism just launched its green lodging certification program.
Massachusetts
The Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism is expected to roll out its program as early as the end of June.
South Carolina
The South Carolina Hospitality Association, in partnership with the Division of Waste Management of that state's Department of Health and Environmental Control, is hammering out the final details of its green hotel and restaurant program. That self-certification program is expected to launch in July 2009.
The programs are good for the environment, encourage properties ranging from B&Bs to resorts to start environmental programs, and are good promotional vehicles for the states and individual properties.
According to Green Lodging News publisher, Glenn Hank's count, there are now 20 states with some form of program in place--or pending--to help hotels reduce their environmental impact while cutting costs at the same time. Not all of the 20 states offer complete certification programs.
Greening an event requires a lot of pre-planning and post-work -- not
just for taking care of waste that naturally happens, but how to reduce
waste, how to turn materials into recyclable resources, reduce idling
vehicles, reduce electricity use, reduce travel, make the food
healthful and make the intrinsic value of the event worth the effort...
"Bowlpooling." That's when you watch the Superbowl with as
many friends possible on one television; thereby reducing the amount of
overall electricity used this gameday. (Source: Blog.nau.com)
Environmental Impact of Big Events
Scientists are studying the
longterm effects of these mammoth events.
Calculation of the environmental impact requires models ... which are
rare. Impacts include extra carbon released from extra travel, extra
energy use and spikes in extra sewage and utilities.
Greening Huge Events
The obvious lesson learned from the Superbowl, America's sports extravaganza, was to "never count your chickens before they hatch" ... or some such folk saying.The not-so-obvious learnings have to do with greening huge events. Here are some thoughts and ideas generated by the people involved in the big game of the season.
Enviromental Impact of Events: Recycling, Planting Trees, Reusing Food
The environmental impact of supersized events got attention first through recycling: recycling trash, planting trees, and reusing food. But no one knows if this is enough.A local group in Anaheim started the conversation about the environmental impact of the Superbowl 14 years ago.
Environmental Impact of Big Events
Scientists are studying the
longterm effects of these mammoth events.
Calculation of the environmental impact requires models ... which are
rare. Impacts include extra carbon released from extra travel, extra
energy use and spikes in extra sewage and utilities.About 1500 trees are estimated to be needed to offset the event's carbon footprint. Adding fiber through a tree's natural growth takes carbon from the air and sequesters that carbon.
High visibility is seen as a benefit that offsets the impact of the carbon footprint. Huh?
25-50,000 lbs of prepared food will be recovered and distributed to local people in need.
Sand used for the hospitality suite was re-purposed to resurface local playgrounds.
The International Olympic Committee is concerned -- they are requiring an environmental impact study of the China-based games coming up.
Audio NPR report on the Environmental Impact of Superbowl sized events
How do we measure intrinsic worth of an event?
Gathering people together has required many not-so-green ingredients:
Today, event planners are taking a look at ways to reduce their waste, and concentrate of the real, sustainable values of getting people together. "Green events" now consider each element of a meeting more carefully and find lower-impact alternatives. Here are a few ideas for your next events:
Transporttation
Encourage carpooling and make public transportation easy to use.
Invitations and promotion
Use online communications and email invitations and online registration
Too much food
Take RSVPs so you know the right amount of organic or locally grown food.
Give members a reusable mug and provide refreshing water in a jug
Disposable flatware
Use fingerfood, or reusable plates and silverware. Caterers make these available.
Decorations
Use live, organically grown plants and give them a good home afterwards
Energy for lighting, food storage, etc.
Open the drapes, use energy-efficient appliances when necessary
Disposable name tags
Provide permanent nametags and set up a system for reusing them.
Speaker gifts
Provide the ultimate liquid asset -- an honorarium
With a little thought for your "system" approach to meetings, you can reduce your costs as well as your impact on your environment. And that makes our communities more stable, more healthful, and our groups can focus on what they really want -- great relationships!
- Transporttation
- Invitations and promotion
- Too much food
- Disposable flatware
- Decorations
- Energy for lighting, food storage, etc.
- Disposable name tags
- Speaker gifts
- ... and on and on
Today, event planners are taking a look at ways to reduce their waste, and concentrate of the real, sustainable values of getting people together. "Green events" now consider each element of a meeting more carefully and find lower-impact alternatives. Here are a few ideas for your next events:
Transporttation
Encourage carpooling and make public transportation easy to use.
Invitations and promotion
Use online communications and email invitations and online registration
Too much food
Take RSVPs so you know the right amount of organic or locally grown food.
Give members a reusable mug and provide refreshing water in a jug
Disposable flatware
Use fingerfood, or reusable plates and silverware. Caterers make these available.
Decorations
Use live, organically grown plants and give them a good home afterwards
Energy for lighting, food storage, etc.
Open the drapes, use energy-efficient appliances when necessary
Disposable name tags
Provide permanent nametags and set up a system for reusing them.
Speaker gifts
Provide the ultimate liquid asset -- an honorarium
With a little thought for your "system" approach to meetings, you can reduce your costs as well as your impact on your environment. And that makes our communities more stable, more healthful, and our groups can focus on what they really want -- great relationships!
Event planners for membership groups such as trade associations, local art groups... or any membership group have a number of tasks that are complex and repetitive:
Cliff and Chris Allen founded SureToMeet.com based on their need for organizing local interest meetings -- business networking and ultimate frisby! Very different meetings, venues, frequencies and groups of people... but both having the same core needs. An easy way to get the message across and bring people together at a tangible meeting.
SureToMeet.com provides a number of online tools that help membership groups easily handle repeat meetings such as Board Meetings, Membership Meetings, Workshops, Committee Meetings, and even "onsies" -- special events.
Free meetings can be promoted to the group or to the public. Your choice. Fees can be handled through the SureToMeet system...or onsite. You can send multiple reminder emails. You can take RSVPs. Members can carry on a dialog before and after the meeting.
Part of event success is the logistics. But the most important part is for attendees to get real value from the meeting, and SureToMeet.com is designed to help event managers concentrate of the value of the meeting by making the logistics easier, timely, and effective.
- Tie down a mutually agreed upon date for the event (without conflicts)
- Find a location
- Plan the content of the event - speaker, networking, food, etc.
- Write the promotional announcement
- Invite members
- Invite prospects and the community
- Take reservations to know how many will come
- Collect fees for attendance
- Set up the room
- Make sure the meeting runs smoothly
- Follow up with members for networking value
- Take a breath!
Cliff and Chris Allen founded SureToMeet.com based on their need for organizing local interest meetings -- business networking and ultimate frisby! Very different meetings, venues, frequencies and groups of people... but both having the same core needs. An easy way to get the message across and bring people together at a tangible meeting.
SureToMeet.com provides a number of online tools that help membership groups easily handle repeat meetings such as Board Meetings, Membership Meetings, Workshops, Committee Meetings, and even "onsies" -- special events.
Free meetings can be promoted to the group or to the public. Your choice. Fees can be handled through the SureToMeet system...or onsite. You can send multiple reminder emails. You can take RSVPs. Members can carry on a dialog before and after the meeting.
Part of event success is the logistics. But the most important part is for attendees to get real value from the meeting, and SureToMeet.com is designed to help event managers concentrate of the value of the meeting by making the logistics easier, timely, and effective.
We travel...and we travel a lot -- on the job, weekend trips, vacations, jaunts home, and evening outings. Have you noticed that when you journey to a new place, a place you don't know much about, that you learn very little by yourself? Encased in your vehicle, the local lives of people and rich communities meld into "just" scenery.
But have a friend from that area ride with you and suddenly that scenery comes alive. It becomes a rich, living, breathing colony of relationships and history and possibilities. That's the value of a guided tour.
Fallen Fruit is a collaboration between David Burns, Matias Viegener and Austin Young. Fallen Fruit (http://wwwfallenfruit.org) (facebook), is an international urban activist art collective that encourages us to question our surroundings and interact deeper with our community through guided tours of places in Los Angeles where fruit is available in public spaces.
But have a friend from that area ride with you and suddenly that scenery comes alive. It becomes a rich, living, breathing colony of relationships and history and possibilities. That's the value of a guided tour.
Fallen Fruit is a collaboration between David Burns, Matias Viegener and Austin Young. Fallen Fruit (http://wwwfallenfruit.org) (facebook), is an international urban activist art collective that encourages us to question our surroundings and interact deeper with our community through guided tours of places in Los Angeles where fruit is available in public spaces.
Using fruit as our lens, Fallen Fruit investigates urban space, ideas of neighborhood and new forms of located citizenship and community. From protests to proposals for new urban green spaces, we aim to reconfigure the relation between those who have resources and those who do not, to examine the nature of & in the city, and to investigate new, shared forms of land use and property.Guided tours can be for a cause, for tourism business or for visiting family -- but the essence of guided tours is green and sustainable -- share connections and make every action vital, living, connecting and a practical use of the energy expended!
Long before Florida's Green Lodging program was established, Rosen Hotels & Resorts has made efforts to be responsible stewards of the area's resources.
Rosen Hotels & Resorts also offers its associates the opportunity to conserve resources by offering Lynx bus passes via a payroll deduction program, posts a directory of associates interested in carpooling and offers alternate work schedules of four 10-hour days in certain departments to help reduce gas costs.
These energy-saving programs are imperceptible to hotel guests, proving that upscale accommodations don't have to waste resources such as water and energy, to provide a superior guest experience. "Guests may never notice the small changes we've made to help save our planet, but we do them because it's simply the right thing to do," said Rosen. "Those guests who do take note applaud our efforts because they, too, are socially responsible citizens who are concerned about the effects man has on his environment."
For more information about Rosen Hotels & Resorts, visit www.rosenhotels.com.
For more information about Rosen Hotels & Resorts' Green Meetings program, visit www.rosengreenmeetings.com.
- Each of the hotels offers guests the opportunity to use linens and towels more than once, and each has water-efficient toilets and washing machines.
- Outdoor lighting and back-of-house lighting is operated by sensors.
- Programmable thermostats, Energy-Star appliances and paper and newspaper recycling programs are among the many ways the hotels lessen their eco-footprint.
- Rosen Shingle Creek goes as far as to convert used cooking oil into bio-fuel to operate its golf course maintenance equipment.
Rosen Hotels & Resorts also offers its associates the opportunity to conserve resources by offering Lynx bus passes via a payroll deduction program, posts a directory of associates interested in carpooling and offers alternate work schedules of four 10-hour days in certain departments to help reduce gas costs.
These energy-saving programs are imperceptible to hotel guests, proving that upscale accommodations don't have to waste resources such as water and energy, to provide a superior guest experience. "Guests may never notice the small changes we've made to help save our planet, but we do them because it's simply the right thing to do," said Rosen. "Those guests who do take note applaud our efforts because they, too, are socially responsible citizens who are concerned about the effects man has on his environment."
For more information about Rosen Hotels & Resorts, visit www.rosenhotels.com.
For more information about Rosen Hotels & Resorts' Green Meetings program, visit www.rosengreenmeetings.com.
President & COO of Rosen Hotels & Resorts, Harris Rosen has taken an active role in conservation of the business' neighborhood's natural resources.
In March 2007, Rosen, in partnership with the Florida Dept. of Environmental Protection, launched a first-of-its-kind wilderness trip entitled: Expedition Headwaters, An Everglades Journey to Remember.
Embarking from Rosen Shingle Creek in Orlando, two teams of kayakers and hikers traversed 140 miles of the Kissimmee River to Lake Okeechobee over 12 days. In keeping with the purpose of the expedition -- to increase awareness of the hydrological and ecological connection of the Orlando metropolitan area with the Everglades ecosystem -- team members observed the state's extensive restoration efforts, viewed restored portions of the Kissimmee River and recorded their observations through online journal entries and photography. In addition, the team, along with DEP's Environmental Education Office, conducted field labs with students from elementary and middle schools in the region, teaching them about watersheds, wetlands and aquatic ecosystems.
Rosen Shingle Creek, which opened in Sept. 2006, was designed with the environment in mind. "We made it a point in the design phase of Rosen Shingle Creek to conserve water and energy and to reduce waste as much as possible; as a result, we save valuable resources," said Rosen. "Guests may never notice the small changes we've made to help our planet, but those who do take notice applaud our efforts, because they too, are socially responsible citizens concerned about the effects man has on the environment."
Green business practices are as much about operations as they are about marketing messages. When a hotel reduces water and energy use, and chages the behavior of staff and guests, they can save a tremendous amount of water and greenhouse gas emissions.
Techniques such as electronic transmission of meetings to minimize travel to key members who find it essential to attend and network is one of those difficult choices of convention clients. Hotels can help by making affordable electronic options available to meeting planners.
Together, the three Rosen convention hotels offer the largest number of guestrooms, largest combined square feet of meeting/event space and closest proximity to the Orange County Convention Center of any Orlando convention hotels. Combined, they offer more than 3,600 rooms and more than 611,000 square feet of flexible meeting space and one of the nation's largest column-free ballrooms.
New techniques are also being implemented by forward-thinking property managers such as replacement of toxic fertilizers and herbicides with organic landcaping strategies and green chemistry. Grounds management can reduce water impact by using recycled water and smart irrigation systems. It's important to ask venues about these kinds of green and conservation practices, and encouraging them to offset their impact with creative business strategies.
An 18-hole golf course and golf academy, world-class spas, nearly two dozen dining, entertainment and lounging options, state-of-the-art fitness centers, a variety of tennis and sport courts, provide meetings attendees and leisure guests unparalleled convenience and amenities.... all with green strategies, I assume.
Operations policies change with time, and it is important for meeting planners to ask -- every time they consider a venue about key green strategies.
For more information about Rosen Hotels & Resorts, visit www.rosenhotels.com. For more information about Rosen Hotels & Resorts' Green Meetings program, visit www.rosengreenmeetings.com.
Launched in March 2004, the Florida Green Lodging Program establishes environmental guidelines for hotels and motels to conserve natural resources and prevent pollution. For more information about the Florida Green Lodging Program, visit www.dep.state.fl.us/greenlodging.
In March 2007, Rosen, in partnership with the Florida Dept. of Environmental Protection, launched a first-of-its-kind wilderness trip entitled: Expedition Headwaters, An Everglades Journey to Remember.
Embarking from Rosen Shingle Creek in Orlando, two teams of kayakers and hikers traversed 140 miles of the Kissimmee River to Lake Okeechobee over 12 days. In keeping with the purpose of the expedition -- to increase awareness of the hydrological and ecological connection of the Orlando metropolitan area with the Everglades ecosystem -- team members observed the state's extensive restoration efforts, viewed restored portions of the Kissimmee River and recorded their observations through online journal entries and photography. In addition, the team, along with DEP's Environmental Education Office, conducted field labs with students from elementary and middle schools in the region, teaching them about watersheds, wetlands and aquatic ecosystems.
Rosen Shingle Creek, which opened in Sept. 2006, was designed with the environment in mind. "We made it a point in the design phase of Rosen Shingle Creek to conserve water and energy and to reduce waste as much as possible; as a result, we save valuable resources," said Rosen. "Guests may never notice the small changes we've made to help our planet, but those who do take notice applaud our efforts, because they too, are socially responsible citizens concerned about the effects man has on the environment."
Green business practices are as much about operations as they are about marketing messages. When a hotel reduces water and energy use, and chages the behavior of staff and guests, they can save a tremendous amount of water and greenhouse gas emissions.
Techniques such as electronic transmission of meetings to minimize travel to key members who find it essential to attend and network is one of those difficult choices of convention clients. Hotels can help by making affordable electronic options available to meeting planners.
Together, the three Rosen convention hotels offer the largest number of guestrooms, largest combined square feet of meeting/event space and closest proximity to the Orange County Convention Center of any Orlando convention hotels. Combined, they offer more than 3,600 rooms and more than 611,000 square feet of flexible meeting space and one of the nation's largest column-free ballrooms.
New techniques are also being implemented by forward-thinking property managers such as replacement of toxic fertilizers and herbicides with organic landcaping strategies and green chemistry. Grounds management can reduce water impact by using recycled water and smart irrigation systems. It's important to ask venues about these kinds of green and conservation practices, and encouraging them to offset their impact with creative business strategies.
An 18-hole golf course and golf academy, world-class spas, nearly two dozen dining, entertainment and lounging options, state-of-the-art fitness centers, a variety of tennis and sport courts, provide meetings attendees and leisure guests unparalleled convenience and amenities.... all with green strategies, I assume.
Operations policies change with time, and it is important for meeting planners to ask -- every time they consider a venue about key green strategies.
For more information about Rosen Hotels & Resorts, visit www.rosenhotels.com. For more information about Rosen Hotels & Resorts' Green Meetings program, visit www.rosengreenmeetings.com.
Launched in March 2004, the Florida Green Lodging Program establishes environmental guidelines for hotels and motels to conserve natural resources and prevent pollution. For more information about the Florida Green Lodging Program, visit www.dep.state.fl.us/greenlodging.
Rosen Green Meetings Website
Rosen Plaza, Rosen Centre and Rosen Shingle Creek have also introduced an eco-friendly meetings website called Rosen Green Meetings, outlined at www.rosengreenmeetings.com.
The informational website is designed to assist meeting planners who are interested in reducing the environmental burdens typically associated with large meetings and conventions. The website outlines current Rosen Hotels & Resorts' eco-friendly practices and also gives planners 10 tips for holding green meetings, such as
Rosen Plaza, Rosen Centre and Rosen Shingle Creek have also introduced an eco-friendly meetings website called Rosen Green Meetings, outlined at www.rosengreenmeetings.com.
The informational website is designed to assist meeting planners who are interested in reducing the environmental burdens typically associated with large meetings and conventions. The website outlines current Rosen Hotels & Resorts' eco-friendly practices and also gives planners 10 tips for holding green meetings, such as
- utilizing a paperless registration system
- recycling name badges
- using recycled paper and signage materials
The voluntary state initiative provides the lodging industry with free technical assistance, encouraging hotels and motels to adopt cost-saving "green" practices that reduce waste, conserve natural resources and improve the bottom line. Facilities can achieve up to three levels of green within the Florida Green Lodging Program ranging from One Palm to Three Palm based on increased reductions in waste, water and energy consumption.
To become a designated member of the Florida Green Lodging Program, hotels must implement a variety of green practices.
Green practices include, but are not limited to,
All designated properties must also use green cleaners and high efficiency air filters, and clean air handler units frequently.
Three Orlando based properties owned by Rosen went above and beyond the state's Green Lodging requirements by introducing several other eco-friendly programs, which include
To become a designated member of the Florida Green Lodging Program, hotels must implement a variety of green practices.
Green practices include, but are not limited to,
- water conservation measures by installing low flow plumbing fixtures and implementing a linen reuse program,
- energy efficiency achieved by installing ENERGY STAR® appliances and programmable thermostats.
- opportunity to recycle
- purchasing items in bulk
- purchasing recycled materials
- recycling ink and toner cartridges
All designated properties must also use green cleaners and high efficiency air filters, and clean air handler units frequently.
Three Orlando based properties owned by Rosen went above and beyond the state's Green Lodging requirements by introducing several other eco-friendly programs, which include
- providing recycling bags in individual guest rooms
- recycling containers in public areas
