NEW YORK — Supporting the hospitality industry’s continued efforts to decrease carbon footprints and develop eco-friendly properties, the 93rd annual International Hotel/Motel & Restaurant Show (IH/M&RS) next month features educational programming, a special exhibitor, and product awards highlighting the latest sustainable products and resources, according to show manager GLM.
The Jacob K. Javits Convention Center will host the Nov. 8-11 market, which is expected to present some 1,250 hospitality industry suppliers and attract approximately 35,000 in total trade attendance.
“With the sustainability movement continuing to strengthen, we’re pleased to present an opportunity to learn from noted experts in the field, understand eco-friendly best practices being applied by hospitality operators, and discover the latest products that will assist in their ‘going green’ efforts,” says GLM’s Lynn White. “Our objective is to present a marketplace that answers questions and fulfills product needs as they relate to sustainability.”
For the first time, a green-themed keynote presentation will headline the Nov. 9 seminar schedule. Christine Ervin, environmental leader and former CEO of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), will address sustainability in a global economy.
As an environmental advocate whose career spans executive positions across national, state and nonprofit sectors, Ervin is widely credited as a major force in today’s vibrant green building markets. She helped to launch the LEED® green building rating system while USGBC president.
The IH/M&RS has partnered with Green Lodging News for the second year to educate attendees about developments in sustainable practices. Publisher Glenn Hasek will present Energy Miser All Stars: Conservation Lessons from the Best on Nov. 8 as part of the fifth annual Hospitality Leadership Forum, a full-day industry trends conference for senior-level hospitality managers. Seminar participants can expect to walk away with 10 tips for saving thousands of dollars annually, GLM says.
The Green Task Force of the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA) will present Eco-friendly meets Eco-nomic, addressing the “going green” transition from a market differentiator to a mainstream requirement, including achieving a reputable certification to eliminate “greenwashing” accusations and satisfy guest expectations before they reach the lobby.
All told, more than 40 seminars of interest to both lodging and foodservice professionals will highlight the show, covering sustainability, design, technology, sales, marketing, human resources and other topics.
Exhibiting at IH/M&RS for the first time is the New York City Department of Environmental Protection, the governing force behind New York City’s water conservation efforts, water system accountability, and environmental assessment and impact.
The IH/M&RS will also present Going Green in Hospitality, an exhibition that will feature best practices, case studies and news stories demonstrating how the hospitality industry has embraced the green movement.
Following last year’s debut of eco-friendly categories within the Editors’ Choice Awards, the IH/M&RS will once again spotlight the best green products on the floor that have been introduced to the market in the past year. Awards will be presented in the Décor, Essentials, Luxury, Restaurant and Technology categories.
IH/M&RS registration is available $50 per person. A separate fee of $139 is required to attend the Hospitality Leadership Forum.
Lodging and foodservice professionals can register online at www.ihmrs.com, where they can also find more information about educational opportunities, special events, participating exhibitors, lodging and more. Trade professionals can also register by phone at 800-272-SHOW or 914-421-3206.
Concurrently, the AH&LA Fall Conference brings the federation leadership to New York City to meet on key industry issues. Delegates attend committee meetings, the AH&LA Issues Forum and the AH&LA Board of Directors meeting, as well as social functions.
The AH&LA Inaugural Gala will honor Joe Martin, CHA, Stillwater Hospitality, as the 2009 AH&LA chairman. AH&LA conference registration automatically registers the attendee for the IH/M&RS. AH&LA membership entitles each member property to one complimentary badge.
Online conference registration is available via the AH&LA website at www.ahla.com. For more details, call the association at 202-289-3117.
Have a question or comment? E-mail our editor Matt Poe at [email protected].