PR Friend Press Releases

Media Contact:
Scott Parisi
EcoGreenHotel.com
sparisi@EcoGreenHotel.com
(888)229-0213 Ext.801

ROBBINSVILLE, N.J. – EcoGreenHotel, Inc announced today the official launch of it’s new online store www.EcoGreenHotelStore.com. EcoGreenHotel Store is a one-stop marketplace of over 1000 products and services for the green hospitality industry.

For the first time, the hospitality industry now has a reliable marketplace for their green supply needs. Through EcoGreenHotel Store, properties can purchase everything from environmentally sensitive amenities, earth-friendly cleaning supplies and sustainable furniture to biodegradable key cards and marketing services designed specifically for the green hotel industry.

Scott Parisi, President of EcoGreenHotel, states, “Over and over again, environmentally conscious hotel professionals have told us they wished they could simplify things and purchase their green supplies from one location…and so we set out to create the most comprehensive online source for environmentally friendly hospitality goods and services in the industry.”

EcoGreenHotel Store is a green marketplace that:

    Provides one-stop shopping
    Enables easy access to quality green products and services from numerous vendors
    Offers comparable and competitive pricing
    Offers environmentally preferable products that are not “greenwashing”
    Allows hotels to minimize costs associated with labor and time-intensive effort required for researching, identifying, testing and acquiring
    Allows hotels to reach guests who are concerned about their environmental impact
    Offers additional product search support for hotels seeking “hard-to-find” green alternatives and product reviews
    Contributes to the goal of “People, Planet, and Profits”

For the past year, Parisi has collaborated with veteran specialty suppliers including Pineapple Hospitality, DeBlauw Purchasing, T2 Site Amenities, and Ecotek to assemble cost-effective eco hotel products available on the web.  His vision for the store is simple:

“We want the EcoGreenHotel Store to be the go-to source for quality, affordable eco hotel products and services.”

A few benefits of Environmentally Preferable Purchasing (EPP):

    Reduce waste and utility costs
    Attract environmentally conscious customers
    Possible new revenue streams
    Improve image: brand and goodwill
    Responsive to employee and guests health and wellness needs
    Economically responsible hospitality supply buying
    Increase stakeholder value
    Minimize environmental footprint

The EcoGreenHotel Store’s virtual shelves are stocked with products and services from dozens of companies, including:

    Azul Conservation Products, home of cool tools designed to preserve precious water resources.
    Hanger Network, creator of the EcoHanger, the ultimate sustainable multi-tasker.
    Swisssol-USA Creative Body Care, maker of incredible natural body care products and dispenser systems.
    Hospitality v-Marketing, the place to go for multi-media content, photography, videography and graphic design for eco hotels.
    Luxur-Eco, wholesaler of lavish environmentally-conscious items for the hotel bed and bath.

EcoGreenHotel has partnered with Ray Burgur, President of Pineapple Hospitality, which is a superior distribution and marketing company dedicated to providing innovative products and services to the lodging industry. Pineapple is currently the largest supplier of eco amenities, cleaning products, and other merchandise being offered on the site.
“Pineapple has played a major role in identifying relationships with additional suppliers that will be offering products on the site,” Parisi said.  “And for advance planning and sourcing of FF&E (furniture, fixtures, and equipment) for renovations, PIP’s (product improvement plans) mandated by brands, and supplies for new-build hotels, services provided by DeBlauw will assist hotels of any size .So the EcoGreenHotel Store’s offerings cover the entire scope of the industry.”
EcoGreenHotelStore.com brings all of those products together in one place, making it easy for hotel owners and managers to make the right choices as we move toward a more sustainable AND more profitable future for the hospitality industry.
Parisi continues to seek sustainable products to add to the merchandise lineup at the EcoGreenHotel Store.  Potential vendors are asked to contact him immediately at sparisi@EcoGreenHotel.com.
About EcoGreenHotel
A valuable resource for hoteliers, EcoGreenHotel is dedicated to helping lodging facilities address environmental issues and implement environmentally sound initiatives.  The company’s online presence at www.EcoGreenHotel.com and www.EcoGreenHotelStore.com offers a marketplace for green products and services and provides a one-stop venue for green hospitality industry news, basic environmental overviews and other tools like green hotel checklists, project ideas, book lists, and valuable links designed to promote a more sustainable hospitality industry.

EcoGreenHotel’s consulting services guide owners, operators and developers through the journey of developing and/or maintaining a sustainable operation or project.

For more information about EcoGreenHotel, please visit www.EcoGreenHotel.com or send an email to info@EcoGreenHotel.com.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact:

Scott Parisi

EcoGreenHotel.com

sparisi@EcoGreenHotel.com

(888)229-0213 Ext.801

Been feeling a little blue about your eco hotel’s green initiative lately?  Been wondering if all the hard work is worth it, or if you’re just spinning your wheels for nothing?  Thinking about giving up because no one else seems to care about sustainable hospitality as much as you do?

Pull up a chair, my friend.  Have I got some news for you!

A recently released report by those studious folks over at J.D. Power and Associates contained a big shot in the arm for eco hoteliers.  The 2009 North America Hotel Guest Satisfaction Index Study showed, among other things, that green hotels made great strides in awareness, guest satisfaction and participation in sustainable programs since the previous reporting period in 2008.

For their report, J.D. Power surveyed over 66,000 guests who stayed in North American hotels between May of 2008 and June of 2009.  Here are some notable findings about green lodging taken directly from the release:

• Guest awareness of their hotel’s green programs increased significantly in 2009. Sixty-six percent of guests said they were aware of their hotel’s conservation efforts, up from 57 percent last year.  Good job getting the word out!

• A high percentage of guests took part in their hotel’s sustainability efforts. Among those guests who were aware of the green program, 72 percent said they participated in their hotel’s conservation programs during their stay, meaning they recycled or participated in the property’s linen reuse program, for example.  Way to go… you and your staff are doing a terrific job of rallying the troops!

• Awareness of green programs had a strong impact on overall guest satisfaction. On average, satisfaction is more than 160 points higher among guests who report being aware of their hotel’s green programs, compared with guests who are unaware of them.  Awesome!  You and your team have proven that implementing a green initiative doesn’t mean that the guest experience has to suffer… in fact, it’s just the opposite!

In a nutshell, this study shows that green hospitality has finally taken a firm hold in the industry, and that overall it is being done well.  Your eco hotel’s efforts are starting to reap dividends, not only for the environment but also for your property’s bottom line.

So stop feeling blue.  Send this document to your green team members today, and share this good green news!

Has your hotel received good guest feedback about your eco hotel’s green initiative?  Tell us about it at info@EcoGreenHotel.com and we may feature it on our website or in our newsletter!

EcoGreenHotel.com offers a marketplace for green hotel products and services and provides a one- stop venue for green hotel news, basic environmental overviews and other tools like green hotel checklists, project ideas, book lists, and valuable links designed to promote a more sustainable hospitality industry.

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Media Contact:
Scott Parisi
EcoGreenHotel.com
sparisi@EcoGreenHotel.com
(888)229-0213 Ext.801

Looking to find the best eco-sensitive Italian Riviera tour – one that combines great cuisine, awesome wine, nature hikes, cultural activities and meaningful volunteer opportunities?   Or perhaps you’re curious about which airlines have the best carbon-offset programs, or which hotel chain has LEED-certified facilities in your chosen destination city?

You don’t have to spend countless frustrating hours surfing the Internet… look no further than TerraCurve.com!

At EcoGreenHotel, we’re always on the lookout for potential partners that share our passion for green hospitality and a sustainable planet – partners that truly add value to the industry and the world.  This month, we’re delighted to welcome one such outstanding new partner to the EcoGreenHotel family: TerraCurve.com and its president and founder, Joe Ascanio.

TerraCurve’s mission is to help eco-conscious travelers “choose products, services and destinations worldwide that are better for the planet and its people.”  The company accomplishes this mission by providing unbiased reporting and online research tools that allow people to make informed eco-travel choices.

“EcoGreenHotel believes that TerraCurve is the most credible source providing news, information and tools geared to consumers that are seeking sustainable travel options,” said EcoGreenHotel President Scott Parisi.  “TerraCurve supports EcoGreenHotel in providing a forum for us to share news geared toward hotel owners, operators and developers, and in the coming months you will see a true partnership and shared presence between both of us, to make sure we are supporting sustainable travel in a joint manner.”

TerraCurve’s Ascanio echoed that sentiment.  He believes that the new partnership is a boon for both the traveling public and the industry.

“EcoGreenHotel’s mission offers an incredible strength to the green hospitality industry; a mission that is perfectly in line with that of TerraCurve’s promotion of a more responsible and ‘greener’ approach to both leisure and business travel worldwide by showcasing the best ideas, businesses, places, people and events in the responsible travel marketplace,” he said.  “As TerraCurve.com continues to grow and become more widely used – not only as an online magazine but also as a community of like-minded travelers – a partnership with EcoGreenHotel validates both entities as true and complete resources for ‘eco travel’ information. EcoGreenHotel’s commitment to sustainable and socially responsible travel should serve as a role model to the industry.”

TerraCurve is taking full advantage of social media to keep its users abreast of the latest developments in sustainable travel.  TerraCurve fans can stay up-to-the-minute by accessing the company’s Facebook and Twitter pages, and by subscribing to its RSS feed.

EcoGreenHotel is thrilled to join with Joe Ascanio and TerraCurve to bring the latest eco travel news and information to responsible travelers and the industry that serves them.
EcoGreenHotel.com offers a marketplace for green hotel products and services and provides a one- stop venue for green hospitality industry news, basic environmental overviews and other tools like green hotel checklists, project ideas, book lists, and valuable links designed to promote a more sustainable hospitality industry.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact:

Scott Parisi

EcoGreenHotel.com

sparisi@EcoGreenHotel.com

(888)229-0213 Ext.801

Azul Conservation Products Digital Shower Timers Are a fun and affordable way to promote water conservation at your eco hotel!

Linen reuse programs, low flow fixtures and ozone laundry systems aren’t the only ways to save water at your green hotel. Some eco hotels also encourage their guests to help conserve water by participating in the Shorter Shower Program TM

Reducing your guest’s shower time can have a notable impact on your community’s water supply – and on your hotel’s bottom line. For example, did you know:

• • Each hotel guest spends an average of 16.2 minutes in the shower*
  • The average room uses 71.4 gallons of water per day for showering*
  • By instituting the Shorter Shower Program TM and getting only 50% participation, a 100-room hotel can save over $1,700 per year year by reducing the average shower to 12 minutes. See table below:

Annual water and energy savings for every 100 rooms based on 4 minutes shower reduction

Methodology: This is based on 75% occupancy and includes the cost of the digital shower timer. Full cost benefit analysis available upon request..

But simply placing a placard in the bathroom to ask people to reduce their shower time just isn’t a very effective – or fun – way to encourage them to take shorter showers. That’s why EcoGreenHotel is pleased to feature the Digital Shower Timer from Azul Conservation Products.

These waterproof, shatterproof battery-operated timers are designed to be securely attached to a non-porous surface in the shower, where they count down the minutes and then beep to alert you that your shower time is up.

In addition to the blue star timer, a cute rubber duck, also a turtle, a green house, and white stars and a sleek black square. . Azul will customize timers to include your eco hotel’s brand, making them a great way to communicate to your guests about your green hotel’s commitment to environmental stewardship. Azul Conservation Products can even help you design your own custom shape digital shower timer. And because your guests will surely want their own timers to use at home, custom branded timers make a perfect addition to your gift shop or mini-bar.

Azul’s digital shower timers start at $8.00 with a four month payback period per unit. And when the digital shower timers are offered retail, each digital shower timer is paid for with each sale of the shower timers– paying for itself immediately. Special pricing can be arranged for bulk orders.

Azul Conservation Products was started by Florencia Ramirez, a work-at-home mother of three small children.

“I never thought twice about it when I turned on the water in my shower every morning until I read an article urging us to shorten our showers,” Ramirez explained. “At first, it seemed trivial but then I saw the data and it was staggering. On average each person uses 11,232 gallons of water per year. This translates to roughly 1.5 trillion gallons of water used for showering in the U.S. per year — or enough water to fill up Lake Erie!”

In addition to the digital shower timers, Azul also markets water collection buckets, hourglass-style timers and gift packs, all of which are manufactured by an Australian company called Ripple Products.

Ramirez is also preparing to release a series of children’s books about water conservation. The books can also be custom branded.

“I want to help create a healthier, more vibrant world for my children and that means getting involved to protect it,” she said. “Seeing my kids run around playing is what inspires me to keep going. It may seem like what I’m doing is a drop in the bucket but if we all help out, those buckets will add up to lakes, rivers and beyond.”

EcoGreenHotel salutes Florencia Ramirez, Azul Conservation Products and Ripple Product’s Digital Shower Timers for helping the hospitality industry conserve water! For information about how to add Azul products to your eco hotel’s conservation efforts, visit www.azulconservationproducts.com.

Do you know about an environmentally-friendly product that deserves to be the subject of an EcoFeature? Tell us about it in an email to info@EcoGreenHotel.com and we may spotlight it on our website or blog, or in our newsletter!

*Source: Pacific Institute/Western Resource Advocates

About EcoGreenHotel

EcoGreenHotel conducts green audits of hotel buildings and operations and creates custom plans for properties to develop and implement environmental management systems. Additionally, EcoGreenHotel hosts on-site workshops and staff training, and guides facilities through the LEED certification process.

EcoGreenHotel.com offers a marketplace for green hotel products and services and provides a one- stop venue for green hospitality industry news, basic environmental overviews and other tools like green hotel checklists, project ideas, book lists, and valuable links designed to promote a more sustainable hospitality industry.

For more information about EcoGreenHotel, please visit www.EcoGreenHotel.com or send an email to me Scott Parisi at sparisi@EcoGreenHotel.com.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact:
Scott Parisi
EcoGreenHotel.com
sparisi@EcoGreenHotel.com
(888)229-0213 Ext.801

A few weeks ago in a blog post, I sang the praises of Florida’s outstanding Green Lodging program (FGLP). Established in 2004 by Florida’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), FGLP’s small but dedicated staff has helped hundreds of properties statewide implement meaningful green initiatives, and has made their program a model for the country.

That’s why I was so saddened to learn that due to drastic budget cuts, the FGLP as we know it will cease to exist on July 1st. According to a recent article in the Orlando Business Journal, the program’s budget of $337,000 was slashed to $63,000, and three of its four staff positions were eliminated.

You read that correctly – one employee and $63,000 to support the current stable of over 500 designated green properties, in addition to handling hundreds more that have filed their applications and are on the waiting list for FGLP approval.

Beginning July 1, initial site visits to determine compliance with program standards will become a thing of the past. Annual recertification will fall by the wayside, too, as will easily accessible expert advice from live DEP staff.

Instead, there will be occasional webinars, an online application process that will allow a property to assert that it has implemented its green initiative – and be approved – sight unseen, and a watered down renewal process.

FGLP’s official web site optimistically calls the changes “program improvements” and attempts to calm fears that the model project will become nothing more than a rubber stamping mechanism that allows undeserving properties to falsely bill themselves as environmentally responsible. In part, the web site states:

Maintaining environmental excellence in the program is of utmost importance to DEP. While the program will now be administered primarily online, it will not be a self-certification program.

I did not add the bold print in the statement above; DEP did. Publicly declaring that the FGLP will not be a self-certification program sounds brave and decisive, but unfortunately it also sounds like wishful thinking.

The stakes are extremely high for hoteliers in Florida, where approximately half of all the state’s visitors (many of whom are eco-conscious travelers) stay in lodging facilities, and where the Governor has mandated that all state-related conferences and meetings be held in certified green lodges whenever possible.

Yes, there’s big money to be made from earning FGLP’s green certification. Since the program has been so skillfully administered thus far, green certification truly meant something in Florida. The properties that earned it had every reason to be proud, and the ones on the waiting list knew they’d have to tow the line to get certified.

There is now a realistic fear that green lodging designation in Florida will be as easy to come by as a bad sunburn.

I understand that times are hard. Every line item in every state’s budget is on the chopping block, so the gutting of FGLP is not a huge surprise. But it is a huge disappointment, and I sincerely hope that Florida will find a way to restore the program to its previous funding levels – and high standards – post-haste.

Has your city’s or state’s green lodging program also taken a funding hit? Tell us about it at info@ecogreenhotel.com.

About EcoGreenHotel
A valuable resource for green hotels, EcoGreenHotel is dedicated to helping lodging facilities address environmental issues and implement environmentally sound initiatives. The company’s online presence at www.EcoGreenHotel.com offers a marketplace for green hotel products and services and provides a one- stop venue for green hospitality industry news, basic environmental overviews and other tools like green hotel checklists, project ideas, book lists, and valuable links designed to promote a more sustainable hospitality industry.

EcoGreenHotel’s green hotel consulting services guide owners, operators and developers through the journey of developing and/or maintaining a sustainable operation or project.

For more information about EcoGreenHotel, please visit www.EcoGreenHotel.com or send an email me Scott Parisi at sparisi@EcoGreenHotel.com.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact:

Scott Parisi

EcoGreenHotel.com

sparisi@EcoGreenHotel.com

(888)229-0213 Ext.801

Intelity’s ICE – the world’s most advanced in-room virtual concierge and back end monitoring system!

Want to offer your guests an impressive and easy way to check out, access valet and room service, and make spa or restaurant reservations, all from a sleek touch screen installed in their guest rooms?

Would you like to be able to track and measure all of your hotel’s activities, modify prices at a moment’s notice, earn some advertising revenue and send real time, property-wide messages to guests and staff – all with the push of a button?

Meet the Interactive Customer Experience Solution, also known as ICE. ICE was developed by Intelity, an interactive hospitality technology company based in Orlando, Florida. Since its launch in late 2008, the system has garnered a lot of attention for its cutting edge tech and ease of use. ICE’s components are provided by Dell, Adobe, Microsoft and standard open-source providers, making it possible for in-house IT staff to handle the system.

In addition to the cool touch screen, guests can access the multi-lingual system from their PDA or laptop. A virtual concierge guides them through a menu of choices. Real time weather, flight and attraction information can also be accessed. Non-invasive advertising can be incorporated, as well as video messages from the company president, general manager, owners, brides and grooms, meeting planners… the options are endless!

ICE provides real time interfacing between property management, food and beverage, valet, event planning, spa or golf – you can link it all. The system routes guest and service requests to appropriate staff through a handheld device, tracks response time and completion and creates graphs and charts for analysis.

For more information about Intelity’s ICE, visit www.intelityice.com or contact Shawn Dagon, Director of Business Development at Intelity, at 407-965-2205 or 407-267-8711.

Do you know about a green hotel product that deserves kudos, too? Send a message to info@EcoGreenHotel.com and tell us about it. We may feature it in a future edition of our newsletter or on our web site, www.EcoGreenHotel.com

About EcoGreenHotel

A valuable resource for green hotels, EcoGreenHotel is dedicated to helping lodging facilities address environmental issues and implement environmentally sound initiatives. The company’s online presence at www.EcoGreenHotel.com offers a marketplace for green hotel products and services and provides a one- stop venue for green hospitality industry news, basic environmental overviews and other tools like green hotel checklists, project ideas, book lists, and valuable links designed to promote a more sustainable hospitality industry.

EcoGreenHotel’s green hotel consulting services guide owners, operators and developers through the journey of developing and/or maintaining a sustainable operation or project.

For more information about EcoGreenHotel, please visit www.EcoGreenHotel.com or send an email to Scott Parisi at sparisi@EcoGreenHotel.com.

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