Editorial Board   Guest Author

Mr. Trefzer

Tim Trefzer

Head of Environmental Sustainability, Georgia World Congress Center Authority

Tim Trefzer is head of environmental sustainability and corporate social responsibility for the Georgia World Congress Center Authority. He oversees efforts to improve internal operations, reduce the impacts of hosted events, and advance the Authority's benefit to the community through strategic partnerships. 

As a LEED Accredited Professional, Mr. Trefzer administered the GWCC's LEED Silver certification in 2014 and LEED Gold recertification in 2017 which made it the largest LEED certified convention center in the world. In 2017 he also guided the Savannah International Trade and Convention Center to LEED Gold certification. Mr. Trefzer also supported the LEED Platinum certification efforts of Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

He is intimately engrained in sports and sustainability, working with the Atlanta Football Host Committee for the College Football Playoff and Super Bowl. He chaired the NCAA Men's Final Four sustainability committee in 2013, garnering the moniker “greenest Final Four in history.” Since 2015, Mr. Trefzer has consulted with the College Football Playoff and Super Bowl, managing various aspects of the sustainability efforts placed around these mega sporting events. For the 2018 College Football Playoff National Championship and Super Bowl LIII in Atlanta, Mr. Trefzer  is sustainability chair for the Atlanta Football Host Committee and Atlanta Super Bowl LIII Host Committee. 

Mr. Trefzer serves as faculty associate for Arizona State University and Georgia State University where he teaches courses in the Global Context of Sustainability and Sustainable Operations in Hospitality. He has degrees from Florida State University and Arizona State University.

Please visit http://www.gwcca.org for more information.

Mr. Trefzer can be contacted at 404-223-4011 or ttrefzer@gwcca.org

Coming up in November 2019...

Architecture & Design: Biophilic Design

The hospitality industry is constantly evolving to meet and exceed guest expectations. As a result, hotels are always on the lookout for new ways to improve the guest experience, and architecture and design is an essential part of this equation. Bold design is often the most effective way to make an exceptional first impression - an impression guests use to distinguish between brands. One design trend that is being embraced worldwide has become known as “Biophilic Design.” Biophilic design is based on the concept of biophilia, which is the theory that human beings have an innate tendency to seek out nature, natural elements, and natural forms. Biophilic design is more than hotels simply adding a surplus of plants; it involves incorporating specific design elements into a hotel in order to imbue it with a sense of wellness and well-being. Some of those elements include exposure to natural lighting; views of nature and rooms with a view; natural architectural patterns; salvaged or reclaimed woods of all types; reclaimed metals; sustainably sourced stone; living green walls and vertical gardens; and direct and indirect exposure to nature. Hotels that have incorporated biophilic design into their properties are reaping the benefits associated with this trend including reduced stress responses, better air quality, lower energy costs, and more positive guest reviews. Biophilic design has also been shown to improve guest moods and to satisfy consumer demand for environmental responsibility. Savvy hotel owners and managers are aware that nature-inspired elements enhance their guests' comfort and well-being, which is why this trend is becoming so prevalent. Biophilic design is just one topic in the fields of hotel architecture and design that will be examined in the November issue of the Hotel Business Review.
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