Energy efficiency, green business and climate stewardship are hot topics, and hoteliers want to have the latest information about how they can do their part to make a positive environmental impact while still building their bottom line. AH&LA's new Energy Innovation Webinar series will provide members with easy-to-implement ideas with big impact.
AH&LA presents the three-session series in partnership with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Energy Star program. It focuses on keys to a successful energy management program that can improve a property's efficiency and financial performance.
It's exciting to offer an educational forum with the timely subjects of greening and sustainability, says Brad Aldrich, AH&LA's vice president-business development. The AH&LA Environmental & Engineering Committee has worked with our partners at Energy Star to ensure the content is relevant to a broad spectrum of attendees.
Topics in the Series are:
nHow Does Your Hotel Measure Up? April 4, 1 p.m. (EDT) This Webinar will explore the financial and environmental reasons why hotel operators should be measuring, tracking and improving their energy performance.
nCapture the Savings: Improve the Energy Performance of Your Hotel May 16, 1 p.m. (EDT) This Webinar will show how to reduce a hotel's energy consumption and get the most bang for one's energy management buck.
nEveryone on Board:Communicate the Benefits of Energy Management June 27, 1 p.m. (EDT) This seminar will teach hoteliers how to communicate effectively with key decision- makers, hotel staff and guests about energy performance.
We realize our members time is valuable, and these 90-minute Webinars will allow them to participate in high-caliber seminars without leaving their computer monitors, Aldrich says. Through the support of American Express and The Home Depot Supply, this effective format brings a ˜hands-on forum directly to the properties for implementation.
AH&LA Webinar series participants will be introduced to the best practices of AH&LA's most dedicated and motivated environmental advocates, says Stuart Brodsky, National Program Manager, Commercial Property Markets, Energy Star. Furthermore, this industry insight will be combined with EPA's observations ”drawn from 15 years of voluntary partnership programs” on the most effective strategies and practices that contribute to a property's bottom line and environmental performance.
We'll be sharing observations and successful strategies from partner hotel organizations, as well as other organizations representing every commercial property sector, that have realized energy savings using Energy Star strategies, Brodsky says.
Organizations using the kinds of strategies that will be discussed in the Webinars have saved $12 billion in energy operating costs, Brodsky notes. But the savings were more than monetary. The environmental savings in pollution prevention was impressive as well ”equivalent to the pollution reduction of taking 23 million cars off U.S. roads.
One of the things the EPA has seen is that when organizations make energy management part of their business plan and launch a strategy with goals and milestones ”much like any other well-developed business plan ”they achieve lasting results and long-term benefits, Brodsky says. Energy management is not simply about tips for quick fixes, but about developing sustained strategies and mindsets to achieve continuous environmental and financial improvements.
The cost for each Webinar in the AH&LA Energy Innovation series is $99 for members and $199 for nonmembers. All three Webinars may be purchased in advance as a package for $199 for members and $399 for nonmembers. To register online, visit www.ahla.com/seminars_energy.asp or contact Tara Allen at 202-289-3171 or tallen@ahla.com.
Later this year, AH&LA's Women in Lodging Council will host a Webinar series focusing on balancing personal and professional; mentoring and development; building credibility; and packaging oneself for success.
