MEDIA RELEASES
NHLRA’s First Ever New England Eco-Hospitality
Expo Applauded by Participants
April 16, 2009
Concord –The NH Lodging & Restaurant Association (NHLRA) hosted the first New England wide Eco-Hospitality Expo in Nashua New Hampshire Tuesday at the Radisson in Nashua with fourteen New England partners collaborating. The expo highlights included an exhibitor floor with sixty vendors showing off their green products and services, nine sustainability sessions with speakers from across New England and the announcement of a formal partnership between the NHLRA’s Sustainable Lodging & Restaurant Program (NHSLRP) and the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES). The event was the first of its kind in New Hampshire and for New England, and comes at a time when the hospitality industry recognizes their environmental responsibilities and realizes the cost-saving benefits of implementing a sustainability program.
Robert Varney, the immediate past Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency’s Region 1, led the ribbon cutting. He encouraged attendees to take the information gained from the “top rate presenters” at the expo to lessen their environmental impact.
Tom Burack, Commissioner of the NHDES attended the expo to announce a new partnership between NHDES and NHSLRP. The partnership agreement focuses on furthering environmental stewardship throughout the state’s hospitality industry and addresses two program areas; greening hospitality and encouraging green meetings and conferences throughout the state. Burack emphasized the importance of such partnerships in furthering the implementation of common goals to protect New Hampshire’s environment.
As part of the agreement, NHDES will provide technical assistance and partner with the NHSLRP to provide educational programs to hospitality businesses. The NHDES will also give preference to hotels and restaurants meeting the certification requirements of the NHSLRP when outside facilities are required and will refer other state agencies to the NHSLRP for their needs, as well.
Through NHLRA’s Sustainable Lodging & Restaurant Program, NHLRA has seen the impact our industry can have on our valuable natural resources. Understanding that impact moved NHLRA to bring New England hospitality professionals together with companies who provide eco-friendly products and services to encourage learning, discussion and leadership. The success of the expo was based largely on the strong partnerships developed with organizations in all six New England states. NHLRA thanks its partners; United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Environmental Protection Agency New England, NH Division of Travel and Tourism, NH Department of Environmental Services, The State of Connecticut Office of Tourism
Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism, Green Tourism and Cultural Tourism Programs, Boston Green Tourism, Maine Restaurant Association, Rhode Island Hospitality Association, Rhode Island Hospitality Green Certification, Maine Innkeepers Association, Maine Green Lodging Program, and Vermont Hospitality Council, Green Hotel in the Green Mountain State (VT).
As consumers become more environmentally conscious they are more often making their dining and lodging decisions based on the sustainable practices of a Hotel or Restaurant. “We were proud to offer strong educational programming in this expo. Education is key to growing and learning about new opportunities” said Mike Somers, President and CEO, NH Lodging & Restaurant Association.
Green is the New Gold
March 3, 2009
On April 10, the NH Concord Monitor will publish its second annual Green Guide, A Handbook For Sustainable Living in New Hampshire. The Green Guide is a comprehensive approach to living green in New Hampshire, with sections on Eating, Home, Work, Transportation, Lawn/Garden and Education. At the end of each section, a directory of related advertisers directs readers to the green businesses and services they’re interested in.
The Green Guide will be inserted in the Monitor on April 10, which will put it in front of about 50,000 readers. What’s more, we’ll be distributing about 8,000 additional guides throughout the state all year with the help of environmental groups, state agencies, local stores, schools, town and city offices, libraries, green-themed events in the state and farmers’ markets. In addition, we'll distribute the Green Guide to at least two eco-events this year: the New England Eco-Hospitality Expo in Nashua on April 140, and the Tanger Be Green event, held April 25 at the outlet center in Tilton.
To participate contact the Concord Monitor at 603-369-3212 or email ads@cmonitor.com.
15 New England Partners Collaborate for first ever Eco-Hospitality Expo
For Immediate Release – February 25, 2009
Concord –The NH Lodging & Restaurant Association (NHLRA) will host the first New England wide Eco-Hospitality Expo in Nashua New Hampshire on April 14, 2009 and will have fourteen New England partners collaborating. The event will be the first of its kind in New Hampshire and for New England, and comes at a time when the hospitality industry recognizes their environmental responsibilities and realizes the cost-saving benefits of implementing a sustainability program.
Partnering with the NHLRA are fourteen environmental leaders.
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Environmental Protection Agency New England
NH Division of Travel and Tourism, NH Department of Environmental Services
The State of Connecticut Office of Tourism
Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism, Green Tourism and Cultural Tourism Programs
Boston Green Tourism, Maine Restaurant Association
Rhode Island Hospitality Association, Rhode Island Hospitality Green Certification
Maine Innkeepers Association, Maine Green Lodging Program
Vermont Hospitality Council, Green Hotel in the Green Mountain State (VT)
The New England Eco-Hospitality Expo will focus on advancing green initiatives and sustainability practices, raising environmental consciousness and promoting eco-tourism throughout the hospitality industry in New England.
Through NHLRA’s Sustainable Lodging & Restaurant Program, NHLRA has seen the impact our industry can have on our valuable natural resources. Therefore, we decided to bring New England hospitality professionals together with companies who provide eco-friendly products and services to encourage learning, discussion and leadership.
As consumers become more environmentally conscious they are more often making their dining and lodging decisions based on the sustainable practices of a Hotel or Restaurant. We also see it in corporate event planning, in the initiatives of local government and in the rapidly growing trend of Eco-Tourism.
“What we hope to realize through this collaborative effort is a forum to increase the commitment to sustainable practices and promote our eco friendly destinations while protecting the bottom line” said Mike Somers, President and CEO, NH Lodging & Restaurant Association.
Individuals who are interested in attending the Expo should contact the NHLRA for more information at 603-228-9585 or visit NEecohospitalityexpo.com.
NHLRA hosts first New England Wide Eco-Hospitality Expo
For Immediate Release – January 15, 2009
Concord –The NH Lodging & Restaurant Association (NHLRA) will host the first New England wide Eco-Hospitality Expo in Nashua New Hampshire on April 14, 2009. The event will be the first of its kind in New Hampshire and for New England, and comes at a time when the hospitality industry recognizes their environmental responsibilities and realizes the cost-saving benefits of implementing a sustainability program.
The New England Eco-Hospitality Expo will focus on advancing green initiatives and sustainability practices, raising environmental consciousness and promoting eco-tourism throughout the hospitality industry in New England.
Through NHLRA’s Sustainable Lodging & Restaurant Program, NHLRA has seen the impact our industry can have on our valuable natural resources. Therefore, we decided to bring New England hospitality professionals together with companies who provide eco-friendly products and services to encourage learning, discussion and leadership.
As consumers become more environmentally conscious they are more often making their dining and lodging decisions based on the sustainable practices of a Hotel or Restaurant. We also see it in corporate event planning, in the initiatives of local government and in the rapidly growing trend of Eco-Tourism.
“In light of these facts, what better way to appeal to our hospitality operators, to consciously and proactively reduce their carbon footprint than by speaking to their bottom line? Not only will they realize noticeable savings but will see increased revenues in the new business they will attract,” said Mike Somers, President and CEO, NH Lodging & Restaurant Association.
The time is right to increase the awareness of sustainability not only in New Hampshire but throughout New England.
Individuals who are interested in attending the Expo should contact the NHLRA for more information at 603-228-9585 or visit NEecohospitalityexpo.com.
Founded in 1914, the New Hampshire Lodging and Restaurant Association is a statewide, non-partisan trade association. Our mission is to promote, protect and educate the foodservice and lodging industries of the state and to ensure positive business growth for our members.