Anniversaries are the types of things that can sneak up on you. In this case, however—my 500th column and 500th weekly e-newsletter—I clearly saw it coming for years. Each week, at the top of my e-newsletter, the “Issue Number” is moved ahead one click. You just can’t avoid the passage of time.
Five hundred columns and newsletters. Wow. Early on, it was not always easy generating original content for “green lodging.” Today, however, it is truly a challenge to keep up with all of the developments in green building, operations, products and technologies.
Looking back on all of the columns I have written, there was one that was easily read by more people than any other—the one about the birth of my son. He will be five years old in August and last night, for the first time, he read me a sentence from a book. It is one of those parent moments that I will never forget. My son helps me keep things in perspective and makes me want to continue to write about ways to make our planet a better place.
An Issue That Still Persists
The first topic I ever covered in a column: second-hand smoke. That was in 2006 and at that time it did not sit well with some of the leaders in our industry. A coincidence I am sure, two days after I called for the elimination of smoking in hotels, Marriott announced it would eliminate smoking in its properties in the United States and Canada. A lot has changed since 2006 but there are still far too many lodging establishments that allow smoking.
There was one memorable occasion when one reader wrote to criticize me for a column I wrote about birds. The focus of the column: a new LEED credit given to projects that make an effort to deter bird collisions. The reader, someone I have known for many years, thought I had reached a point of desperation because I was writing about bird collisions. I did chuckle about it. While I confess to occasionally writing about obscure topics, I don’t regret writing about bird preservation.
Almost 100 percent of the time I write a column, I do not hear from anyone in response. That is one of the things that I wish would have been different over the last 10 years. I would love for this column space to be more of a conversation. If you agree, disagree or would just like to add to the information I present in my weekly column, give me a call or send me an e-mail. I can be reached at (813) 510-3868, or by e-mail at editor@greenlodgingnews.com. Of course I do realize folks in our industry are very busy people.
There never would have been a 500th column without the support of the many suppliers who have purchased advertising space in Green Lodging News over the years. To those suppliers I owe a great amount of thanks. And of course to my many loyal readers and editorial contributors I owe great thanks as well. It is amazing how far Green Lodging News has come since column number one. I look forward to writing 500 more.
Earth Hour & Earth Day
Earth Hour is slated for March 19 from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. local time. Earth Day is April 22. How will your organization be marking these occasions this year? I would love to know. Call me at (813) 510-3868, or e-mail editor@greenlodgingnews.com.
Sustain 2016 Conference
I will be moderating a panel discussion at Sustain 2016, the Mid-Atlantic’s Annual Hospitality Conference. The event will take place March 14 to 15 at Dover Downs Hotel & Casino in Dover, Del. The title of my session: “Innovation All Stars: Case Studies of Three Companies Determined to Make Our World More Sustainable.” Panelists will include: William F. Kratzer, Chief Technology Officer, BioHitech; Justin Fishkin, Chief Strategy Officer, Local Motors; and Micah Green, CEO, Maidbot. I will look forward to seeing you at this event.
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 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 (813) 510-3868, or by e-mail at editor@greenlodgingnews.com.
Planning Advertising for 2016?
Green Lodging News is accepting reservations for advertising spots for 2016. 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 2016 media kit? Be sure to contact me as soon as possible at (813) 510-3868, or by e-mail at editor@greenlodgingnews.com. Media kits can also be accessed by clicking here. Thank you to all of 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 4,803. Thank you to our new subscribers for signing up. Be sure to encourage your colleagues to do the same. There is a “subscribe” form in the upper left area of the Green Lodging News home page.
Green Lodging News & Social Media
Green Lodging News now has 1,651 Twitter followers. Thank you to all of those who follow our tweets. In addition to following us on Twitter, be sure to bookmark the Green Lodging News Blog in your browser. More importantly, participate with your comments. Green Lodging News is also on Facebook. Be sure to “Like” us there. Green Lodging News now has 734 Facebook followers.
As always, I can be reached at editor@greenlodgingnews.com.
