The Florida Green Lodging Conference

Being Green, Saving Green & Making Green

Hilton University of Florida Conference Center

Gainesville FL

Nov. 10-12, 2008

Welcome

’Being Green, Saving Green & Making Green’
Welcome Hoteliers, Hotel Management Companies, Tourism Officials and Vendors
VisitGainesville and The University of Florida TREEO Center are excited to offer the inaugural “Florida Green Lodging Conference” at one of the first designated green hotels in the state, the Hilton University of Florida Conference Center. Florida Department of Environmental Protection is the nation’s leader in designating hotels as green with a goal-based program that tracks continuous improvement.  With the terms “green” and “sustainable” being used every day to describe all kinds of consumer items and activities, visitors to Florida (over 35 million annually) now have the opportunity to stay in hotels that employ environmentally friendly practices. According to Visit Florida (2006), these guests contribute over $14 billion to the local communities in the state.
Whether you have a One Palm Designation or you’re on the fast-growing applicant list to earn one, are you sure you are achieving green in the most cost and time efficient way?
 
Florida’s “Going Green” movement in the tourism industry exploded exponentially after Governor Crist mandated that all government offices/planners conduct meetings only at the designated Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) Green Lodging Properties.  
 
This conference will bring Florida’s hoteliers as well as tourism and environmental experts together to enlighten and inform the audience on, going green, saving green and making green.
 
Florida’s world-class tourism and hospitality industry is poised to take a strong leadership role in launching this greening process and to do it in an efficient and profitable way. Are you ready?
 
  • Kick-start the steps to validate how and why investing in “going green” can ultimately generate room nights and revenue.
  • Learn leading-edge processes and procedures from successful designated green hoteliers and environmental experts.
  • Receive the latest informational, educational, and promotional materials that support hoteliers and CVB staffs in conducting their own hard-hitting Green Hotel workshops.
  • Talk one-on-one with hospitality experts on how to “go green.”

 Regards,
Conference Co-Chairs
Roland Loog, CDME
Alachua County Visitors and Convention Bureau
Carol Hinton
University of Florida TREEO Center