NEW YORK — The International Hotel/Motel & Restaurant Show® (IH/M&RS) has solidified relationships with the Green Restaurant Association and industry publication Green Lodging News to provide a full offering of “green” resources and education to attendees of next month’s event.
The Big Apple will become the “Green” Apple on Nov. 10-13 when the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center hosts the annual market that traditionally brings together 35,000 hospitality industry professionals and more than 1,200 exhibitors.
Numerous seminars will address important green topics for hotel and restaurant operators, including green building (LEED), operations, sustainable design, and greening restaurants.
The IH/M&RS will present its first-ever Sustainable Restaurant Award and Sustainable Hotel Award to highlight the leaders in the market and to recognize properties at the forefront of green practices.
The Editors’ Choice Awards competition will recognize the best environmentally friendly new products launched in the categories of décor, essentials, luxury, restaurant and technology.
“Sustainability is the hot topic in the industry right now, as hoteliers and restaurateurs discover the environmental and economic impact of eco-friendly practices,” says Gene Rupnik, chairman of the 2007 IH/M&RS board of directors. “We’re pleased to offer our attendees and exhibitors the opportunity to learn more about this evolving trend, and subsequently raise awareness for the green movement.”EYE TO THE FUTURE
“The IH/M&RS has long been considered the premier market for discovering everything new for the industry, and the tradition continues this year,” says Christian Falkenberg, the show’s manager. “From sustainable products and luxury amenities, to foodservice equipment and new technologies, there is something here for everyone.”
IHMRS exhibits
Guestroom 2010, showcasing the cutting-edge innovations that will soon be found in hotel guest rooms, will also have a decidedly earth-friendly feel. Developed by the Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP), the model hotel guest room will include:
• Ultimate Organic Bath Towels by Target Brands, made from 100% certified organically grown cotton.
• Quiet Ionic Lighted Hair Dryer by Andis Co., an energy-efficient dryer with a quiet turbo motor and diffused night-light.
• Recyclable Modular Carpet by InterfaceFLOR, eco-friendly carpet tiles composed of a highly renewable corn-based polymer.
• Oxygenics Resort Spa Self-Pressuring Showerhead, reportedly the world’s first shower fixture that generates a full-power spray while using 70% less water.
• Natura Dispenser Program by Green Suites International, a personal care dispenser system that prevents more than 1,000 amenity packages from entering local landfills annually.
• Thymes Paper Bottles by Green Suites International, an attractive, environmental alternative to traditional plastic bottle amenities that’s constructed using 75% paper.
“Guestroom 2010 is a unique presentation of the remarkable new products that will make the hotel experience more efficient, comfortable and earth-friendly,” says Falkenberg.POLITICAL STRATEGISTS TO DELIVER KEYNOTE ADDRESS
Political commentators and strategists Mary Matalin and James Carville, both known for their straightforward discussions and lively debate about political headlines, will deliver the keynote address at the 2007 Hospitality Leadership Forum. The full-day conference for senior-level hospitality managers on Nov. 10 precedes the 92nd annual IH/M&RS opening the next day.
More than 40 seminars of interest to both lodging and foodservice professionals will highlight the IH/M&RS, addressing such topics as sustainability, kitchen design, equipment replacement, hospitality design, technology, marketing, human resources and more.
Additional information and registration is available online at www.ihmrs.com, or by calling GLM’s Customer Relations Department at 914-421-3206 or 800-272-SHOW.
Concurrently, the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA) Fall Conference brings the lodging industry to New York City to meet on key industry issues. On Nov. 9-14, AH&LA delegates will attend committee meetings, educational seminars and networking events.
The AH&LA Inaugural Gala on Nov. 11 will honor Thomas J. Corcoran Jr., FelCor Lodging Trust, as the 2008 AH&LA chairman. Stephen F. Bollenbach, co-chairman and CEO of Hilton Hotels Corp., is due to receive the AH&LA Hospitality Heritage Award on Nov. 13 during the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Foundation (AH&LEF) dinner tribute.
Registration to the AH&LA conference automatically registers the attendee for the IH/M&RS. AH&LA membership entitles each member property to one complimentary IH/M&RS pass. Online registration is available via the AH&LA website at www.ahla.com. For more information, contact Katie Hais, 202-289-3114, [email protected].
Have a question or comment? E-mail our editor Matt Poe at [email protected].