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In preparation for this summer's Democratic National Convention, the Denver host committee committed to make this event "the greenest convention possible," its leaders said. Not only will Denver seek to establish a precedent for future conventions nationwide, but the city hopes to use the event as an opportunity to educate citizens and visitors about environmental responsibility. Thanks to the Colorado Hotel & Lodging Assn. and its president, Ilene Kamsler, the hospitality sector as a green leader in this effort will be prominent, and Energy Star will be an integral component.
In April, CH&LA publicly endorsed the Energy Star Challenge. The Challenge is a national call to action to improve the energy efficiency of America's commercial and industrial buildings by 10 percent or more. By leveraging the free tools and resources available through Energy Star, CH&LA members are better equipped to pursue energy efficiency and reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.
"The Challenge is a win-win for us and for other associations and lodging properties looking to save energy and improve their bottom line," Kamsler said. "Energy Star provides the tools and resources to help identify areas for improving energy efficiency and developing a strategic energy management plan."
Throughout the coming months, and continuing on after the DNC, CH&LA will leverage the Energy Star program to educate members on the benefits of energy management.
"As the first state association of the American Hotel & Lodging Assn. to join the Energy Star Challenge, CH&LA and its 470 member hotels are tapping into a proven toolkit for strategic energy management," said Patty Crow, the Environmental Protection Agency's regional Energy Star program manager. "Their decision to embrace Energy Star as a fundamental step toward green sets an example for other associations across the country."
Already, through a series of workshops co-sponsored with the city and county of Denver, the Denver host committee, EPA Region 8, Greenprint Denver and the Alliance for a Sustainable Colorado, CH&LA has offered guidance on best practices for energy efficiency and green operations.
As the hospitality industry moves forward with widespread green initiatives, leading organizations such as CH&LA recognize the importance of energy efficiency as the first step to sustained environmental excellence. Hotels and green hospitality initiatives nationwide can rely on the Energy Star tools and resources, including the Energy Star Challenge, as a foundation for their programs. To learn more about Energy Star, visit www.energystar.gov.
Anna Stark is the national program manager for commercial property markets, Energy Star, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
