Hospitality Design - September 2012 - 80

perspectives
sustainable studiomindclick insights
allergens and volatile organics. Bet er choice
of carpets and other fl oor coverings can help
greatly with air quality within the room.”
Fabrics: “Using less chemicals and dyes can
lead to lower allergic reactions, and are bet er for
the environment.”
Furniture: “Toxic glues and paints can lead
to unhealthy indoor air. Furniture without these
toxins are healthier.”
Lighting (fi xtures): “More energy effi cient—
proper selection of lighting types and placement
can provide needed light while being energy
effi cient.”
Window Treatments: “Appropriate window
treatments can reduce the energy signature of
the room. Further, since window treatments are
made (typically) of fabrics, the choice of material
and manufacturer can aff ect the sustainability
and health benefi ts of the product.”
Furniture: “Using wood products, which are
not harmful to old growth forests, and minimal
use of manufactured woods containing glues
and other substances with noxious fumes.”
Surprised? Even more compelling is the
profi le of the business travelers who are aware
of the health and environmental impact of room
furnishings and equipment. In summary, they
are highly educated, over 40, upper income
males, who travel frequently in their jobs with
mid-to-large companies:
• 55 percent travel seven or more times a year
on business
• 84 percent are employed full-time
• 35 percent work for companies of $100
million-plus
• 60 percent are over age 40
• 63 percent are male
• 65 percent make more than $100k
• 79 percent have at least a college education
So how much impact does sustainable
renovation have on hotel selection?
According to the more than 1,300 frequent
business travelers surveyed, 93 percent will
choose a hotel engaged in and promoting
sustainable procurement over a comparable
property focused solely on operational
sustainability. Again in their own words:
“Because the hotel execs who make these
decisions recognized this is important to me as
the guest and took the time to inform me about
things I would want to know.”
“Showing what sustainable products [the
hotel] is using shows they care about more than
just a profi t and therefore I’m more likely to
trust them.”
“I think it would be a fantastic feature
talking about what they’ve done, rather than
some certifi cation I know nothing about.”
“Makes me think the hotel is put ing the
customer fi rst.”
Convinced of the benefi ts of sustainable
renovation, the next question is where to start.
While the focus of the research was from the
guest perspective, for your client—the hotelier—
sustainable renovation means reducing energy
consumption, minimizing greenhouse gas
emissions, including those related to shipping
product to the property, waste reduction/
recycling, and water conservation.
The hard way to achieve sustainable
renovation is to spend considerable time trying
to determine which suppliers can help address
the needs of the guests and the hotelier. This
leaves you to interpret “green jargon,” scrutinize
supplier claims, and navigate a diff use landscape
consisting of more than 400 eco-labels,
certifi cations, and standards in existence today.
The MindClick HSP Index has streamlined this
process by providing a transparent, third party
validated scorecard and single source reporting
system, which translates complex sustainability
data into actionable information.
MindClick’s HSP Index (hspindex.com) rates
supplier performance on a one to fi ve scale based
on leading, globally accepted sustainability
standards and practices adapted for the hotel
industry through the work of the Hospitality
Sustainable Purchasing Consortium. Comprised
of almost 30 organizations such as the USGBC,
Marriot , RTKL, SERA Architects, and 24
leading purchasing organizations and suppliers,
the Consortium helped tailor MindClick’s HSP
Index to meet the needs of hoteliers and guests.
The HSP Index provides summary
and detailed information comparing the
sustainability performance of suppliers and
their products, including initiatives in corporate
social responsibility, environmental operations,
and product sustainability. Designers, brands,
hoteliers, and other decision makers can now
access the information they need to sustainably
furnish and supply hotels while meeting existing
design, quality, service, and cost needs. hd
JoAnna Abrams is CEO of MindClick SGM (www.
hspiconsortium.com). This is the third article of a
multi-part series featuring the results of the 2012
MindClick Expedia Consumer Sustainability
Engagement study.
080
September 2012 hospitalitydesign.com
http://www.hspindex.com http://www.hspiconsortium.com http://www.hspiconsortium.com http://www.hospitalitydesign.com
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