Home Publisher's Point of View Our Top 10 News Developments of 2013

Our Top 10 News Developments of 2013

1729
0
SHARE

For my last column of 2013 I took a look back at the more than 400 feature articles posted on the Green Lodging News website in 2013 in order to determine what I consider to be the top 10 news stories or developments. Coming up with a top 10 was not easy. So much happened in 2013, a very active year for green hospitality. The number one news story? It is TripAdvisor’s April launch of its GreenLeaders program. More than 2,000 lodging establishments are now participating. Expect that number to grow dramatically, especially once TripAdvisor expands GreenLeaders outside of the United States.

The second most significant news announcement was MGM Resorts International and NRG Energy, Inc.’s announcement of the development of a 6.2-megawatt solar photovoltaic installation at the Mandalay Bay Resort Convention Center in Las Vegas. It will be one of the largest rooftop solar photovoltaic arrays in the world.

Third on the list is the maturing of mattress recycling legislation in California, Rhode Island and Connecticut. Fourth is the release of research showing that nonsmoking rooms in hotels that allow smoking do not protect occupants from tobacco smoke. Non-smokers who spent the night at any of the hotels studied provided urine and finger wipe samples to assess their exposure to nicotine and a cancer causing agent found specifically in tobacco smoke.

FTC Cracks Down on Biodegradability Claims

Number five is the Federal Trade Commission announcement of six enforcement actions, including one that imposed a $450,000 civil penalty and five that for the first time address biodegradable plastic claims, as part of the agency’s ongoing crackdown on false and misleading environmental claims.

The sixth development on my list is the June announcement that more than 15,000 hotels around the world have so far adopted the Hotel Carbon Measurement Initiative (HCMI) methodology that allows them, for the first time, to calculate and communicate the carbon footprint of hotel stays and meetings in a consistent and transparent way. Story number seven is the fall rollout of LEED v4 and story number eight is the summer release of the new Energy Star Portfolio Manager tool.

Ninth is a tie of sorts with the debut of three new green lodging events—the Lodging Green + Sustainability Conference in Dallas in October, the Sustainable Hotel & Resort Conference in October in Orlando, and Hospitality Green, a new section of the trade show floor at the International Hotel, Motel + Restaurant Show in November.

Certification for Sustainable Event Standards

Story number 10 is the February announcement that the Green Meeting Industry Council reached an agreement with iCompli, a division of BPA Worldwide, a global third-party assurance provider, to develop a certification program for the event industry’s sustainability standards.

As I mentioned, it was not easy to come up with a top 10. Close were stories about a food waste ban in Massachusetts, Marriott greening its supply chain, Starwood Capital Group launching 1 Hotels & Resorts, Green Key Global topping 3,000 certified properties, and the announcement that the National Restaurant Association has partnered with the U.S Environmental Protection Agency’s Energy Star division to collect data on restaurants’ energy and water usage. This could lead to eventual Energy Star certification for the restaurant industry.

If you believe another news development that I did not mention belongs in my top 10, let me know. I can be reached at (813) 510-3868, or by e-mail at editor@greenlodgingnews.com. Also, be sure to keep sending me your news announcements in 2014.

Have a very healthy, safe and prosperous new year!

We Have Moved Our Offices!

Green Lodging News has moved its offices from University Heights, Ohio, to Tampa, Fla., as of December 23, 2013. Our new address is: 7438 Gunn Hwy., Tampa, FL 33625. The new office number will be (813) 510-3868. My cell number will remain the same: (216) 702-0334. Of course my e-mail will remain the same: editor@greenlodgingnews.com.

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 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 (216) 848-1406, 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.

Social Networking Sites

Green Lodging News now has 1,423 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 510 Facebook followers.

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

LEAVE A REPLY