Gaylord Palms Resort's Commitment to Sustainability Embraced in $50M Property Renovation

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. June 25, 2012

Kissimmee, FL - June 25, 2012 - Central Florida's Gaylord Palms Resort recently unveiled a $50 million transformation of the property, including new pools, dining and recreation areas, and luxuriously updated guest rooms. Honoring the company's commitment to sustainability, a priority was placed on reducing the environmental footprint of the project from design to completion. The resort's new two-story Wreckers Sports Bar offers a stunning example of how the company has embraced environmental stewardship while creating amazing new vacation experiences.

“Sustainability is about considering the environmental, social and economic consequences of all of our individual actions,” stated Johann Krieger, Senior Vice President and General Manager of the Gaylord Palms. “What we do today will impact future generations, so it's important that we act responsibly.”

As part of the company's commitment to sustainability, Gaylord builds all new facilities in accordance with Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards, as established by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).

With a goal of minimizing the amount of waste sent to landfills and incineration facilities, Gaylord Palms established a construction and demolition waste management program that called for recycling or repurposing materials from the new addition. As a result of this program, the project diverted ninety percent of construction waste from landfills, exceeding minimum LEED standards by forty percent.

In an effort to minimize disruption to the surrounding environment, protect and preserve the natural landscape and reduce waste, Gaylord Palms took great efforts to preserve and relocate mature trees. These trees were boxed and irrigated during the construction phase, then replanted to line the grounds of the project area. Twelve trees, in total, including oak, phoenix roebelenii and foxtail palms, were saved in the process.

When it came to construction, the modern facilities used recycled and locally made materials. For example, ninety-eight percent of the bricks, mortar and concrete masonry were supplied from within a 500-mile radius, promoting local job growth and reducing carbon emissions from long-haul transportation. Additionally, the concrete used in the project was made with recycled fly ash, a byproduct of producing electricity from coal. The talcum powder-like substance is usually dumped in landfills, but can easily be repurposed and used in place of cement in concrete foundations.

Gaylord Palms looked beyond construction materials to also focus on creating sustainable daily operations. Among the innovative solutions employed to curb energy consumption was a “cool roof” made of light colors that reflect sunlight. Designed to keep indoor temperatures cool and comfortable, the roof is expected to reduce air conditioning by up to fifteen percent. Additionally, the project made extensive use of energy-efficient LED lighting, and installed ENERGY STAR-rated appliances in the new, state-of-the-art kitchen.

These are just a few of the many examples of Gaylord Hotel's long-standing effort to create outstanding destinations for guests while being mindful of the environment. Every day, Gaylord Palms focuses on exceeding our goals for energy efficiency, emissions reduction, waste reduction and water conservation. Gaylord believes in the tenets of sustainability, "doing well by doing good," and ensures that Gaylord Palms' commitment to protecting our natural resources will continue for years to come.

For more information on Gaylord Palms Resort and Gaylord Hotels' sustainability programs, visit www.GaylordPalms.com.