Home Publisher's Point of View Las Vegas the Site of Many ‘Green Conversations’ During HD Expo

Las Vegas the Site of Many ‘Green Conversations’ During HD Expo

1521
0
SHARE

I spent about 16 hours on the trade show floor at HD Expo this past week. Unfortunately, because of cancellations and other airline issues, I spent more than 27 hours in airports and on planes getting to and from Hospitality Design’s annual event in Las Vegas. The good news is that the travel pains were well worth it as the hundreds of suppliers in attendance delivered not only a wide variety of green products but fascinating conversations as well.

It would be impossible for me to mention all of the products I learned about in one column. There were certainly a lot one would expect to find at a design event—fabrics and carpet made from recycled or other eco-friendly fibers, for example. I saw many types of LED lighting. I do not recall seeing a single compact fluorescent on display. It is amazing how quickly lighting has changed. There was furniture made from reclaimed wood and recycled milk jugs, high efficiency toilets, water-saving faucets and showerheads, synthetic grass, and surface materials made with a high percentage of recycled glass.

Interestingly, there was one supplier of electric vehicle charging stations exhibiting, one whose products utilize solar panels atop umbrellas to power mobile device charging stations, and another whose solar film helps power motorized window shades. For those interested in recycling, there were many types of recycling systems available. Two companies were on hand selling amenity dispensers and two others featured eco-friendly leather. Those interested in energy-efficient minibars, electric cooktops, or a pillow renovation machine would also have found them at HD Expo. If you would like the names of any of the companies selling the products mentioned above, just let me know.

A Green Voice Conversationalist

One of the highlights of HD Expo for me was participating as an interviewer as part of the NEWH Sustainable Hospitality Committee’s Green Voice Conversations series. I interviewed Todd Megrath, Director of Sustainability Strategies at MGM Resorts International. The NEWH Sustainable Hospitality Committee has done a great job organizing Green Voice Conversations at many industry events over the past several years.

Many of you may have read my article about Scott Miller, now Manager of Business Development for MindClick Global who is featured in Showtime’s “Years of Living Dangerously” series. I had the opportunity to meet Scott in person at HD Expo. Don’t forget to catch Scott on the series beginning May 26 at 8 p.m.

Finally, it must be said that attending events like HD Expo over the years has given me an opportunity to make many good friends and meet many great people. One of those great people: Cliff Tuttle, Senior Vice President at ForrestPerkins. I just learned that Cliff is in hospice in Houston and battling several kinds of cancer. Cliff is one of our industry’s strongest proponents of sustainable design. According to ForrestPerkins’ Deborah Lloyd Forrest, NEWH and ForrestPerkins are establishing a scholarship in Cliff’s name. More details will be available soon.

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 2014?

Green Lodging News is accepting reservations for advertising spots for 2014. 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 2014 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.

Green Lodging News & Social Media

Green Lodging News now has 1,469 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 563 Facebook followers.

As always, I can be reached at editor@greenlodgingnews.com.

LEAVE A REPLY