Doubletree Hotel & Executive Meeting Center Portland-Lloyd Center becomes Oregon's First Green Seal Certified Hotel
Comprehensive Environmental Certification makes Portland Doubletree location the largest certified, sustainable hotel west of the Mississippi.
(PRWEB) November 24, 2006 -- The Doubletree Hotel & Executive Meeting Center Portland-Lloyd Center announced today that the property has earned a Green Seal GS-33 Lodging Sustainability certification. The 476-room Doubletree is the first lodging property in Oregon and the largest hotel west of the Mississippi to receive this "green hotel" designation, which includes a set of stringent criteria that encourages hotels to adopt environmental standards and practices in their everyday operations.
The Green Seal certification is the latest step in this Doubletree's efforts to build sustainable practices into its entire operations. From installation of energy- and water-efficient fixtures and lighting in guestrooms and public areas to unique ways to handle food waste to environmentally sensitive purchasing policies, the upscale, full-service hotel property has made a substantial effort to educate its staff on the importance of being sustainable in a variety of inventive and unique ways.
"Today, our entire team at the Doubletree Hotel Portland-Lloyd Center clearly understands the implications of how everything we do in our everyday duties throughout our hotel can ultimately have a measurable impact on the world in which we live," says Steve Faustick, hotel general manager. "Several months ago, we began the journey to make a conscious and measurable effort in becoming an eco-business that we hoped could be a model of conservation for our industry throughout the Pacific Northwest. Our Green Seal certification is our proud first step in this long-term plan."
The green hotel has instituted a "Green Team" of employees who spearhead the property's efforts to implement sustainable practices and to keep fellow employees informed of these measures. Initiatives implemented include recycling programs in common areas, guest rooms, and administrative areas; environmental purchasing policies for recycled-content products and much more.
"Sustainability rests on the principles that every person must take make use of our earth's precious resources today without compromising the ability of future generations to enjoy them, as well," said Doug Brecht, hotel director of operations. "Our Green Seal accomplishment wouldn't mean anything if it weren't for the participation, contribution and enthusiasm of each employee - from management to line-level employees - in order to make a collective and positive difference."
Since 1995, Green Seal has partnered with the lodging industry, the nation's second largest employer, to promote environmentally responsible products and practices within lodging properties. Green Seal's campaign to inform the nearly 54,000 U.S. hotels and motels focuses on how environmental efforts both improve the bottom line and benefit the environment.
Because of its efforts, the Doubletree has been selected to host the national conference of the Green Meeting Industry Council in February 2007. This event is part of a larger marketing effort by the Portland Oregon Visitors' Association (POVA) to offer the country's first comprehensive Green Seal meetings package.
"The momentum has really been building, such that green meetings are now on the radar for meeting planners.
Our research shows that planners see green meeting services as an advantage, assuming the other factors are equal, " says POVA's Tamara Kennedy-Hill. "Portland has the reputation of being a green destination, but we really needed one of our major hotels to be Green Seal certified to set the standard."
The Doubletree Hotel & Executive Meeting Center Portland - Lloyd Center is adjacent to the popular Lloyd Center Mall and just blocks from the newly expanded Oregon Convention Center, the Rose Garden Arena, and Memorial Coliseum. Located less than 10 miles from the Portland International Airport, the MAX light rail system now picks up passengers at baggage claim and drops them off directly across the street from the hotel's front door. The hotel proudly offers the only IACC (International Association of Conference Centers) approved, Executive Meeting Center, a, 8,500-square-foot, dedicated meeting environment coupled with a high level of technology and service not before seen in Portland. The Executive Meeting Center compliments the hotel's 38,000 square feet of traditional meeting space, including newly redesigned ballrooms.
For more information or to make reservations, please call 503-281-6111, or visit the hotel website at the Doubletree Hotel & Executive Meeting Center Portland-Lloyd Center.
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