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Technology group joins green initiative and climate-related advocacy projects to that benefit the the environment, but also contribute to the economy. Tech Networks of Boston a provider of tech services to non-profit and small business has recently joined / aided / launched programs : Climate Action Liaison Coalition (CALC), and  The American Sustainable Business Council (ASBC). CALC provides business community with support services that sponsor business's speaking out about climate change, but also supporting policy improvements. The ASBC project is a co-sponsored initiative which seeks to promote signing of a Climate Declaration that covers topics such as employment, environmental impacts, and sustainability. Tech Networks of Boston http://bit.ly/17vfaBq American Sustainable Business Council http://bit.ly/14Tu9of Climate Action Liaison Coalition | CALC http://bit.ly/1a1nRnm

This article is about Hilton's sustainable system, LightStay. This sustainability measurement system has allowed the company to save more than $74million in utility costs. This system decreased the amount of waste remarkably around 19% down. From the article, sustainability is not just an option or responsiblity on the environment, it also could reduce the costs so that contributes to maximize profits.

This article discusses how the COVID-19 pandemic caused an influx in plastic waste due to an increased need for PPE. This article also talked about how hotels are trying to combat the effects of microplastics by limiting their implementation in their operation by finding other alternatives such as mobile apps and QR codes. One thing I found to be extremely interesting that was mentioned within the article was the fact that companies are investing in educating both their guests and staff on waste management.

this article is about why sustainability is key to our industry.

With travelers becoming more aware of sustainability and its benefits, many sectors within the hospitality industry are modifying their product to be sustainable. Using green computer technology like contactless check-in rather that key cards which overproduces plastic for the key cards used. Hotels are also using automation and AI like having an automatic power shut off when a guest leaves their room and smart showers limiting shower length.

This article on "Sustainable Hospitality Technology Made Possible" gives detailed tactics on how properties can lower their energy and consumption costs, and reduce waste which ultimately leads to protecting the environment. As explained in the article, this sustainability shift did not occur overnight, but rather through a progressive process that encompasses corporate social responsibilities and consumer sentiment.

The power of partnerships The tourism industry is partnering with other organizations to solve problems on how to bring a more sustainable tourism. Global impact is an international multi-stakeholders consensus to bring together companies, UN agencies, government and communities to support environment. The project need not only for NGOs to facilitate contracts but also for governments to have the right legislations dealing with sustainable tourism. Tourism can affect three key areas: * Communities: Tourism creates economic opportunity but should not affect negatively traditions and local cultures. * Individuals: Tourism should be creating the right safe working environment. * Environment: Tourism should not damage the environment. Any waste should be disposed of properly. Tourism can achieve positive impacts on the region such as funding wild life conservations. There are se several partnerships that develop to better control the tourism industry and its impacts on the region. To be successful a partnership must have appropriate stakeholders, mutually agreed goal and process, and sensitivity to the power members among other characteristics.

Going Green is something we all hear about in todays market and the importance of it. Many big business have been finding ways to go green any chance they get. However, with small businesses they have been slower to go green. Embracing sustainability practices for your business is something that should be practiced at any business no matter what size. With small businesses it's much more easy to move towards sustainability versus larger ones. Though their IT department don't have the financial resources of enterprise businesses. Their sizes gives them the ability to change direction quickly something that happens when initiating green practices. There are six reasons why you should embrace sustainability, which are it attracts talent, it's a market differentiator, more efficient, reduce risks, and most importantly customers demand it.

Who doesn't like to "feel good" when choosing to use a product or stay somewhere. Going green makes perfect sense. Companies that adopt green policies and procedures allow their guests to feel better about choosing their goods and services.

The sustainability is at the center of every corporate mission the past few years in the hospitality and tourism industry. This article reflect the pros in investing in sustainability and how it will impact business performances.

This article talks about the future of event planning. The efforts hotels will have to make to be competitive in the industry. It also talks about the technology that will have to be offered such as VR (virtual reality).

This article is very interesting because it lists all the ways that event planning will be in the future because of technological advances. It talks about autonomous staff, 3D shopping, made-to-order venues, personalized longevity health spas, pop-up hotels, supersonic air travel, sustainable hotels, personal travel avatars, and DNA authorization. The article describes the benefits and downfalls to each one and puts emphasis on the fact that these advances are closer than we can imagine.

And check out this 5 sustainable design ideas for hotels.

It's important to build sustainability facility in the hotel. It's a future trend to build a green hotel and sustain the eco-friendly environment. There are many ways to do physical plants. Water consumption Within guest rooms, laundries, kitchens, pools, and spas, hotels continue to phase inefficiencies that reduce water and, in many cases, chemicals that are used to treat water systems and clean facilities. Efforts include the linen and towel reuse programs that are now an industry standard to the installation of low-flow faucets, showerheads, and other fixtures. Hotel Recycling and Waste Reduction With the limited exception for domestic hotels, recycling programs for the basics such as newspapers and beverage containers are becoming a basic expectation. In combination with the recycling efforts, hotels are looking for opportunities to reduce the use of paper and other disposables. Hotels and resorts that can go beyond to implement food waste composting programs can demonstrate waste diverted from the landfill upwards of 40-50%. Hotel Bath Amenities Many hotels are making a statement by offering guests custom formulated amenities. Resort companies such as RockResorts have taken it one step further with an all-natural, essential oil-based custom formulated product made without preservatives and artificial ingredients that are packaged in recyclable containers. Other midrange hotel brands are experimenting with bulk dispenser presentations.

This article discusses that as time continues to progress, more and more hotels, as well as other hospitality/tourism places are starting to implement more "eco-friendly initiatives" into their businesses for the satisfaction of the customers. It is important for the hospitality to be able to adapt in the sense of increasing their "green initiatives." Some hotels have begun doing so by, linen and towel reuse programs, low-flow faucets and shower heads, recycling programs, and much more. Implementing these actions can only benefit the industry/businesses in the long run.

This is a great summary of what event planners are looking for in hotels - "Green Initiatives" that include energy use, water bottle reduction, menu planning, waste management, recycle programs, etc. Very easy to read and recommend for green topic areas for research papers.

This article discusses how the pandemic has strongly impacted many hospitality companies to be more "green" for the future.. From contactless key options, to minimizing food waste, to using technology to reduce unwanted waste like paper, it is helping set new green goals for the our planet and future of the industry.

This article discusses how new developments in technology are changing sustainability initiatives. However, in contrast to many of the discussions this week this article is not talking about sustainable trends in the technology industry but rather how technology can help encourage sustainability in other markets as well. For example, in this case the article is discussing how developments in apps and online sharing have created a whole new network of people buying and selling used and repurposed items on line. These kinds of applications are rewriting the meaning of a "new" item and helping to increase the useful life of items and decrease the amount consumed. Often times it seems people shop simply for the novelty of purchasing something new and exciting purchasing a used item from someone else can create this same feeling as it will be a new item for the person purchasing however this is a more sustainable supply line as the items are not simply thrown out after one period of usefulness. This new second hand market is also highlighting how much longer of a useful life many items have beyond that of their first owner.

Green hotel has become a hot topic recent years since people have more concerns about sustainability of natural resources. This article is talking about sustainable hospitality hardware. It starts right from one kind of hardware material, bronze. Two types of bronze are introduced as the most popular choice for hardware, "silicon bronze" and "white bronze". Considering the long durability, excellent corrosion resistance, better fatigue resistance, lower melting point, easy care and maintenance, bronze, as a material is a dramatically long time and continues to be so today using both time -tested and innovative manufacturing techniques. The article also talks about green characteristics of bronze products. For example, it use life cycle analysis results to show bronze products is better than other materials. Bronze is 100 percent recyclable and make healthier environment. In hospitality industry, the most applications of bronze must be the door hardware, including the lock set. The article gives an example of Pelican Hill Resort which used lot bronze in the resort manufacture. Overall, it's a material choice that can contribute positively to the overall design intent of a given facility and its long-term successful operations.

This article focuses on sustainability and methods in which technology is utilized to conserve energy and waste, while also not hindering the guest experience. Hotels, similar to the Salvatore Grand Hotel, have began implementing systems such as the Verve Living System, by Zeno Controls, LLC, that provide wireless connections to the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system, as well as the lighting in the guest room. It utilizes sensors to activate such amenities, and enables the guest to enter the room, place their key card into a slot, and it will begin to adjust to the preferred temperature and the preferred lighting levels. Once the key card is removed, such as when the guest is leaving the room, after a very short delay, it sends a signal that verifies the room is unoccupied, and turns off these energy-consuming items in the room. Many guests, when staying in hotels, do not consider turning off their lights or air conditioning when they leave the room, and simply leave everything running. They do not realize the impact this has not only on costs for the hotel itself, but also the impact that it has on energy consumption and sustainability. With the growing awareness of being "green", guests are focusing more and more on conservation, however, they may still be slacking in these areas, leaving things on, being absent minded. This system will allow guests to not have to worry about such tasks, and controls the system of turning these items off for them, adding convenience for the guest who is environmentally conscious. I have personally seen a similar system being used in a hotel room, and thought it was a great idea, and an amazing way to control costs and eliminate waste of resources. It is also very surprising to read that the Verve Living System detects low battery levels, constant occupancy, problems with room connectivity, and rooms that are not communicating with the hotel PMS or other systems. This enables the maintenance team of a hotel to fun

The importance of sustainable ("green") construction and practices within the hospitality industry, and particularly the hotel segment, is growing. The U.S. Green Building Council is at the heart of LEED certification which establishes standards for and designates properties that are actively pursuing a more sustainable model. Consumers are becoming more ecologically aware and have made the "green" status of a destination part of their criteria when making decisions about where to stay. Hotels like the Hyat Hotels Complex in Chicago, the ITC Windsor in India, and the Tambo del Inka Hotel in Peru are chasing "triple-bottom-line wins" by implementing smarter designs like rooftop gardens, in-house water treatment/recycling, and sustainable local lumber sources for structures and interiors.

The Hotel Show has put it focus into green initiatives and businesses that present the products to help businesses in the hospitality sector to "go green." The show brings in businesses and hosts seminars that help hospitality-based businesses make their "green" contribution by buying products and conducting practices that yield results like reducing energy output.

Many hotels and restaurant have embraced the green movement, but many are still trying to sort it all out. Too often being good steward of the environment is perceived as a bleeding heart issue and the cost conflicts with the financial goals of the hotel property owner and operators. As author mentions that, he was former hotel operator over 14 years ago, he was looking for opportunities to increase GOP and cash flow. It only made sense to sort through innovative energy solution and operational changes to find the right solution that improved profitability as well as protect the environment. He came to the conclusion very early on the owner and operators could indeed build a viable business case for integrating sustainability into the operation of individual hotels. However, with countless options from energy management technology to green hotel certification, the process has become confusing more than ever.