AHLA’s President & CEO Chip Rogers Joined Mayors of Denver and Miami to Discuss Environmental Sustainability Efforts
WASHINGTON (January 19, 2023) – The United States Conference of Mayors (USCM) hosted a conversation today between American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) President and CEO Chip Rogers, Denver Mayor Michael Hancock and Miami Mayor Francis Suarez. The discussion outlined the importance of partnerships between the hotel industry and local leaders in working together on innovative sustainability programs—now and into the future.
Rogers, Mayor Hancock and Mayor Suarez discussed the sustainability partnerships taking place in their cities, including water clean-up, efforts to expand EV charging, and sustainable development strategies to increase green space, solar and other renewable energies and energy-efficient buildings.
“Our conversation today outlines how critical the partnerships that our industry shares with local leaders, such as the folks in this room, in working together on innovative sustainability programs,” said Rogers. “The Mayors I’m here with today—Mayor Hancock from Denver and Mayor Suarez from Miami—are both leaders on this issue. They’re working every day to solve problems and protect the environment for future generations.”
The conversation followed the recent launch of AHLA’s industry-wide sustainability effort, “Responsible Stay,” which unites the hotel industry around a commitment to strengthening sustainability initiatives focused on energy efficiency, waste reduction, water conservation and responsible sourcing.
“Many of you have seen in your own cities how partnerships with the hotel industry can strengthen shared ESG goals,” said Rogers. “Our No Room for Trafficking campaign has helped spot and stop human trafficking, our DEI efforts have opened doors of opportunity to all individuals regardless of race, ethnicity or gender, and many AHLA member companies have been working with many of you in this room to help make communities cleaner and healthier for the long-term.”
The event took place at the Capitol Hilton in Washington, D.C., which partnered with USCM to ensure the event had a carbon-neutral footprint, a significant reduction in food and plastic waste and a number of initiatives in place to reduce water usage. Meal options available during the conference were also locally-sourced and sustainably grown.
Background
Launched in December 2022, Responsible Stay is an industry-wide commitment to make meetings, events and guest experiences in America’s hotels more environmentally and socially responsible. Responsible Stay is focused on prioritizing hotels’ environmental sustainability efforts in four key areas:
- Energy efficiency: optimizing energy efficiency through operational improvements and adoption of clean energy technologies
- Waste reduction: investing in waste reduction programs and new, innovative alternatives to reduce, reuse and recycle waste across properties
- Water conservation: ensuring the reduction of water usage by implementing water-efficient practices in core areas like laundry, food and beverage, and landscaping
- Responsible sourcing practices: sourcing responsibly and prioritizing sustainability in supply chains to prevent harmful environmental and social impacts.
By focusing on these four core principles, AHLA and its members are united on a commitment to strengthen environmental programs, education and resources to provide a ‘responsible stay’ for guests, protect the future of the planet and support communities across the country.
Responsible Stay has elicited broad support across the sector, with members, state association partners and other industry stakeholders endorsing the program and its principles. A full list of endorsers can be found on the Responsible Stay website here.
About AHLA
The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) is the sole national association representing all segments of the U.S. lodging industry. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., AHLA focuses on strategic advocacy, communications support and workforce development programs to move the industry forward. Learn more at www.ahla.com.
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