McKibbon Hotel Management, Inc. of Tampa, Fl. has announced that two of its managed properties, the Courtyard by Marriott Downtown Chattanooga and the Residence Inn by Marriott Downtown Chattanooga, have been certified as “Green Lodges” by the Chattanooga Green Lodging Program. Presently, there are only 12 hotels in the state that have earned this designation.
Hotel General Manager Andrea Anderson, who also serves as the president of the Greater Chattanooga Hospitality Association, is one of the industry professionals instrumental in the implementation of the Green Lodging Program, along with GCHA member Tom Cupo. “Our goal was to provide a program to enable participants to conserve and protect our natural resources for our visitors and our residents,” said Ms. Anderson. “In addition, this program will contribute to operating our hotels more efficiently and cost effectively.”
Ms. Anderson’s properties have incorporated several conservation practices, including offering Green Events meeting packages, the use of recyclable bags for groceries, and partnering with the non-profit Orange Grove Center to recycle aluminum, glass and paper products.
The Chattanooga Green Lodging Program is an initiative to promote and support Chattanooga’s vision for a sustainable city. The program encourages hotels and restaurants to be aware of their impact on the environment and to take steps to reduce their carbon footprint, while enhancing the overall sustainability of their operations. The program provides guidance and resources that will greatly reduce participants’ impact by using techniques that have been proven to reduce waste and, in many circumstances, save money.
To become certified, properties must undergo an on-site inspection by Skye Con, an environmental consulting firm specializing in hospitality and tourism, led by President Dobbin Callahan. The hotel must meet minimum standards for performance in five core areas of energy, water and resource conservation, as well as developing a written plan for further improvement efforts. Properties certified by the Chattanooga Green Lodging Program are also certified internationally by Green Globe, the leading certification organization for hotels and tourism worldwide.
The Chattanooga program is the first program in the United States to be fully recognized by this prestigious organization.
For more information on these hotel properties involvement in the Chattanooga Green Lodging Program, or to make reservations, contact General Manager Andrea Anderson at 755-0871. For more information on Chattanooga Green Lodging, visit www.chattanoogagreenlodging.com.