Spa Sustainability Strategies for the Environment, The Guests, & Your Business

By Judith L. Singer, Ed.D., ISHC, President & Co-Owner Health Fitness Dynamics, Inc. (HFD)

Going green is not a trend... it has a life of its own that continues to grow and gain momentum. This phenomenon is becoming so prevalent that people are moving away from the term “green” and have embraced the larger concept of “sustainability” because it better describes the long-term and on-going evolution and revolution of personal, cultural, economic, environmental and global well-being. As more and more individuals and corporations are engaging in the sustainability culture, it is important to see how well-aligned this is with the spa revolution of the past 10 – 15 years. Spas went from being trendy to being on-trend; from being a luxury to a necessity; from elite to main street; from loss-leaders to profit-makers. Substitute the word “sustainability” for “spa” and you will see the similarities and synergies.

Building a Green Program in Your Portfolio of Properties

By Arthur B. Weissman, Ph.D., President & CEO, Green Seal, Inc. & Rani A. Bhattacharyya, Executive Assistant to the CEO, Green Seal, Inc.

Becoming green is not a one-time thing: it requires a concerted effort over time from a number of people and departments. This article will outline some recent trends in developing an environmentally responsible corporate policy, the steps to build a green program in a property or group of properties, and information about what should be covered by written policies and procedures.

Hotel Expansion: Renovation vs. New Construction

By Fred B. Roedel, III, Partner, Roedel Companies, LLC

There are three options to expanding your portfolio of hotels. You can purchase an existing property and leave it as is, build a new property or purchase an existing one and renovate it. Economics is what will drive your ultimate decision. In order to determine which expansion option best meets your objectives, it is important to properly and reliably evaluate each opportunity by breaking down its time, cost and quality elements in order to ensure success.

Three Key Considerations When Designing for Hotel Operators

By Brian West, President, B|W Design Studio

Having working in the Meeting and Incentive industry my comprehension of hotel design has been enriched. From the meeting planners perspective my consideration of the hotel facility was based on a properties flexability, and overall apperance. Pairing my meeting planner experience with my knowledge as a designer I am equally aware that the durability of the FF&E within a hotel property is paramount to the success of the hotel and I strive to place as much intelligently designed product within a property. In this article I bring to the forefront a few concepts designers should keep in mind when working with the operators of hotel properties. These considerations should assist in assuring that both the designer and the operator are working toward the same goal - to create spaces that achieve the greatest ROI.

Crisis Management: Are We Safer Today?

By Tina Stark, President, Association for Convention Operations Management

As high-profile public buildings serving thousands of guests each year, hotels and convention centers need to be particularly well prepared for emergency and crisis situations. Particularly in the wake of tragic disasters like 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina, properties and convention visitors bureaus who take a proactive approach to crisis management as a “not if, but when” challenge are far better prepared to respond, minimize negative perceptions and outcomes and recover faster with their reputations and corporate images intact.