Sustainable Practices in Hotels

What do conference dinners and sustainability have in common? Imagine this: You're at a wedding reception, enjoying lively conversations as the main course wraps up. Then, The waitstaff arrives, balancing large trays of desserts. Everyone gets served simultaneously, and the trays disappear as quickly as they arrive. Efficient, right? But then you notice a familiar scene: untouched slices of cake, forgotten puddings, and a growing pile of waste. This isn’t just a wedding problem; it’s a sustainability challenge. In scenarios like these, Lean Six Sigma principles can help. By focusing on the entire lifecycle planning, forecasting, and execution we can turn these moments of excess into opportunities for smarter, more thoughtful processes. For example: -Forecasting attendance accurately could help caterers prepare the right amount of food. -Data analytics could reveal how many guests want dessert, avoiding unnecessary waste. -Applying a Just-in-Time (JIT) delivery system ensures desserts are served only when needed, improving quality and reducing waste. Beyond logistics, sustainability extends to choosing locally sourced ingredients to reduce transport emissions and engaging attendees in waste education initiatives. Imagine volunteers sharing how small changes like composting leftover food impact the environment and economy. The real lesson? It’s not just about better forecasting or logistics. Sustainability thrives on creating a culture of respect, humility, and continuous improvement. These ideas, inspired by the Toyota Production System, remind us to focus on people, not just processes. Here's a thought: Next time you plan an event, could you reimagine the experience to reduce waste and foster sustainability? Small steps lead to significant changes when we think holistically. What’s one sustainability practice you’ve seen at events that left a lasting impression?

In 2015, Barry Sternlicht risked his reputation to make sustainability sexy in luxury hospitality. A feat that had yet to be accomplished… He’d already revolutionized hospitality with W Hotels and sold Starwood for $13 billion. But instead of retiring, he was busy chasing an idea he'd had a decade earlier: "Eco-friendly luxury" – an oxymoron to most industry experts. Traditional hotels believed wealthy travelers only wanted fancy modern finishes, not reclaimed materials and environmental consciousness. But Sternlicht saw market trends everyone else was overlooking… Millennials were willing to pay more for brands that matched their values. Instagram-worthy experiences. But not at the cost of their conscience. Sternlicht saw an opportunity: No luxury hotel brand was serving this massive market. So in 2015, Sternlicht opened 1 Hotel South Beach. The lobby featured a massive sculpture made from driftwood salvaged from Miami shores. Rooms had filtered water taps instead of plastic bottles. Local stone and native materials connected guests to Miami's natural environment. 1 Hotels became a brand that "looks good and does good." Yet, the industry was skeptical. Eco-friendly practices were associated with budget accommodations. Many believed sustainability would compromise the premium experience that wealthy travelers had come to expect. But something incredible happened… 1 Hotel South Beach became the hottest spot in Miami. Celebrities made it their go-to. Guests were actually paying more to stay at 1 Hotel than competing luxury hotels. Sternlicht had achieved the impossible: making eco-luxury the hottest trend in hospitality. The secret wasn't just the green features. It was the storytelling. Every reclaimed wood beam had a history. Every design element connected guests to the local natural environment. Guests weren't just staying at a hotel–they were part of a mission. Their popularity was cemented with 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge in 2017. Sternlicht's team used wood from the old Domino Sugar Factory in the design. It became one of NYC's most photographed buildings. Suddenly, sustainability was the main attraction. There are a few key lessons from 1 Hotels' success: → Values-driven branding commands premium pricing → Local storytelling creates deeper guest connections → Sustainability can be a differentiator, not a cost → Gen Z and Millennials will pay more for authentic experiences Today, 1 Hotels operates 14 properties across 7 countries. They command some of the highest rates in their markets and inspired dozens of competitors to go green. Proving sustainability could be aspirational, not sacrificial. Exactly what Sternlicht set out to accomplish.

How three guys went from throwing a jungle party to accidentally building a modern experiential hospitality empire The story of Our Habitas: Oliver Ripley, Kfir Levy, & Eduardo Castillo never planned to start a hotel empire. They were just throwing a party. Not just any party. A pop-up gathering where music, wellness, and deep human connection replaced VIP sections and velvet ropes. In 2014, they set up in Tulum, Mexico. A few bamboo huts. Candlelit dinners. Sunset jam sessions. Guests meditated at sunrise, danced under the stars, and actually talked to each other. Then they noticed something. People kept coming back. What started as a temporary experience became a movement. Guests kept asking: Can this exist year-round? That is when they saw the opportunity. Hospitality was broken. Traditional hotels chased opulence. Grand lobbies. Stiff service. No soul. Their inspiration came from Burning Man. A temporary city in the Nevada desert where art, music, and radical self-expression created deep human connection. And then, it disappeared. What if that same energy could be captured permanently in breathtaking locations? In 2017, they made it happen. Our Habitas Tulum was born, not built with concrete and cranes, but prefabricated in a factory and assembled on-site. A modular, sustainable method cut build time to under a year with minimal environmental impact. Instead of isolating guests in private villas, they designed interactive spaces. Communal dinners instead of room service. Live music and jam sessions. Sunrise yoga overlooking the ocean. It worked. Soon, Our Habitas was expanding beyond Mexico. Namibia, where safari meets sustainability. Bhutan, where wellness meets the Himalayas. Saudi Arabia, where they are transforming the desert into an oasis. Investors took notice. They were not just building hotels. They were proving a new model of hospitality where luxury was not about excess, but experiences. Where travel meant connecting, not consuming. They have raised around $500 million and have projects in development worldwide. Forget traditional construction. Our Habitas is pioneering modular and 3D-printed hotels, proving that luxury does not have to be wasteful. They have eliminated single-use plastics, sourced materials sustainably, and redefined what a hotel should feel like. They even launched Our Habitas RISE, a social impact initiative supporting local communities. Because if success did not create real change, what was the point? Today, Our Habitas is one of the fastest-growing hospitality brands in the world. And it all started with one question. What if a hotel was not just a place to stay? What if it could change the way people connect? Because in a world where hospitality became transactional, Our Habitas proved that the future of luxury is not about doormen and marble lobbies. It is about belonging.

Using a “start from where you are” approach as a leverage point for change: Any event, board meeting, workshop, group activity is an opportunity to showcase a shift in environmental practices, especially those with large numbers of attendees. For instance, a zero waste event can serve as a powerful platform for promoting environmental behavior change and raising awareness about the importance of adopting new behaviors. Use the activity to set a precedent for your company/school/government agency/organization and showcase your willingness to make a difference! For instance, practical steps to organize a zero waste event: 1. Set Clear Goals: Define specific and achievable zero waste goals for your event. Aim to minimize (or eliminate!) waste sent to landfills and maximize reuse, composting, and recycling. 2. Engage Stakeholders: Involve event organizers, vendors, sponsors, and attendees in the zero waste initiative. Use it as a way to build local relationships with businesses aligned with your values and/or get businesses you already work with on board to embrace sustainable practices and zero waste goals. Provide vendors with guidelines & support on waste reduction. 3. Waste Assessment: Conduct a waste assessment to identify the types & quantities of waste typically generated at similar events. This analysis is for tailoring your zero waste strategy. 4. Waste Reduction Strategy: Develop a comprehensive waste reduction strategy. Focus on reducing/eliminating single-use items and promoting reusable alternatives. 5. Recycling and Composting Stations: Set up clearly labeled reuse, recycling and composting stations throughout the event area. Make it easy (and fun!) for attendees to sort their waste properly. 6. Educational Signage and Outreach: Place educational signage throughout the event (learning opportunity!), explaining the zero waste initiative and guiding attendees on how to participate actively. 7. Volunteer Training: Train volunteers to assist attendees at waste stations. Watching others demonstrate and seeing others engaged in waste brings other people onboard 8. Collaborate with Local Waste Management: Work with local waste management companies to make a plan for waste diversion. 9. Post-Event Evaluation: Assess the success of the zero waste initiative. Analyze waste diversion rates, collect feedback from attendees and vendors, and identify areas for improvement. 10. Publicize Success Stories: Share achievements and positive outcomes of the zero waste event with the community and stakeholders. Celebrate your collective effort towards sustainability! 11. Continued Engagement: Encourage ongoing environmental practices beyond the event. Provide resources, tips, and educational materials to help attendees adopt sustainable practices in their daily lives. *Reach out if you have questions! #waste #ecoconscious #zerowaste #ecoliteracy #sustainabilityleadership #behaviorchange #environmentaleducation #sustainablebusiness

Engagement for Sustainability Goals For sustainability efforts to thrive, companies need to think about their customers, employees, and the communities they operate in. Engaging stakeholders from the start leads to more rewarding, sustainable, and successful programs. Key Strategies for Engagement: 1. Connect and Empower: Engage your workforce from day one by tapping into their collective intelligence. Encourage buy-in, ownership of goals, and partnership. Empower customers, suppliers and employees to contribute ideas and take individual actions towards sustainability. Scope 3 emissions represent about 70% of an organization's emissions (Deloitte); imagine your customers and suppliers contributing ideas & action. 2. Green Loyalty Programs: Draw inspiration from other loyalty programs. Modernize this approach by creating dynamic programs that reward sustainable actions, such as incentivizing carbon offset purchases (think some airlines offering one a chance to offset your flight's emissions). 3. Foster Community: In today’s isolated work-from-home environment, building a sense of community is crucial. Create opportunities for customers, employees and others to engage in outdoor activities, nature-based learning, and volunteer programs focused on sustainability. Come build a trail at one of our Scout Camps! 4. Continuous Learning: Encourage ongoing education about sustainability within your organization. Provide resources and training to keep sustainability top-of-mind and ensure everyone is informed and motivated. Offer your own LinkedIn badge to those who complete courses. Imagine if a major corporation like Microsoft offered LinkedIn sustainability badges - how many thousands of customers and employees would be displaying proudly! 5. Wellness: Tie in the concept of healthy people and a healthy planet. Change behaivors toward conservation and sustainability by unlocking personal wellness opportunities.... “tend” to both human and environmental health. Engagement is the driving force behind achieving and sustaining environmental goals. Let’s embrace it as the new currency for sustainable operations.

🌍 Happy Earth Day from Team Baarman! Next-Level Sustainability: 5 Trends We’re Watching:   🌱 1. Carbon Tracking & Offsetting Tools ·      New tech platforms allow real-time carbon tracking for events—measuring emissions from travel, meals, energy use, etc. ·      Certain hotels and destinations are offering “net-zero meetings” packages with built-in offsetting.    ♻️ 2. Circular Design for Exhibits & Materials ·      Move from “build and toss” to modular, reusable booths and signage   🌐 3. Sustainable Tech & Smart Energy Use ·      Solar-powered charging stations, LED lighting, and smart HVAC systems in venues ·      Mobile apps and digital signage instead of printed programs or banners ·      AI-powered attendee management to optimize schedules and reduce resource use (e.g., food waste from no-shows)    🌿4. Zero-Waste Catering & Regenerative Food ·      Move beyond plant-based menus into regenerative agriculture-sourced foods ·      Composting stations and waste audits at F&B areas ·      Water stations replacing bottled water—sometimes with flavored or vitamin-infused options to add appeal   🌍 5. Sustainability as a Value, Not Just a Feature ·      Educate attendees on their impact—via sustainability dashboards, storytelling, or gamification (e.g., earn points for green choices) ·      Local community give-back initiatives, like tree planting, beach cleanups, or partnering with local nonprofits   Sustainability isn't a trend—it's a responsibility that our team can help you achieve. Contact Team Baarman at Doug.Baarman@ConferenceDirect.com #EarthDay2025 #InnovativeSustainability #CarbonNeutralEvents

Rewards. Discounts. Loyalty programs. Do these truly inspire mindful travelers to return? 🤔 These perks can deliver quick wins, but they come with a tradeoff. Over time, they shift how guests see your brand. How? You become known for rewards and discounts, leading to “freebie dependency.” And when the freebies stop, so does your guest's loyalty. Instead of relying solely on discounts to drive repeat bookings, consider building lasting connections: 💚 Create a sense of community Build on past guest relationships by hosting webinars, live events, or social media groups. For example, events where guests share their travel experiences and gain tips for future trips. 💚 Collaborate with local businesses Offer unique, culturally rich experiences by partnering with local artisans, chefs, or guides. Think of a pottery class with a local artist or a farm-to-table dinner to leave a lasting impression. 💚 Make the experience fun! Gamifying the experience with challenges, badges, or leaderboards are a great way to keep your guest's journey memorable. Remember, mindful travelers crave meaningful connections, not just transactions. 👉🏾 What creative ways have you found to nurture guests? *** Hi! If you're new here, I share how travel/hospitality SMBs can: ✨ Attract the right customers through branding & design ✨ Support the people & places they serve 📸 Sharing a traditional Korean meal with my host (who also happens to be a Michelin-star chef! 😍)

Forget Infinity Pools. The Real Flex Is Picking Your Own Dinner. Let’s talk about regenerative farming and why it might be the most underrated disruptor in hospitality right now. Everyone is chasing luxury, wellness, or sustainability like they are separate buckets, but regenerative farm stays tie it all together and deliver something hotels and destinations can no longer ignore. Here’s the truth. Guests do not just want to sip green juice and do yoga on the lawn anymore. They want to feel their trip. When someone spends five thousand dollars on a week away, they want to come home with more than a tan. They want a story, they want transformation, and regenerative farming delivers exactly that. The psychology is simple. Consumers are burnt out on empty luxury. A pool cabana is not enough. They crave meaning, and meaning comes from participation. When a guest plants something, harvests something, or cooks something that grew on the property, the connection goes deeper than any spa treatment or room upgrade ever could. That emotional ROI is what makes them post online, rave to their friends, and book again. Examples are everywhere. In Italy, estates are mixing biodynamic vineyards with Michelin dining. In Costa Rica, eco-lodges host cacao ceremonies where guests grind the beans before tasting. In California, retreats teach foraging in the morning and serve the harvest at dinner. This is not farm to table anymore. This is farm to Instagram, farm to memory, farm to lifetime loyalty. So here’s the tactical play. Hotels, cruise lines, and destinations need to stop treating regenerative farming as a niche experiment and start building it into their brand story. Partner with local farms. Bring produce into your F&B program with transparency. Create guest experiences around sourcing. Train your team to tell that story with pride. And do not just market it as sustainable, market it as transformational. That is the word that makes wallets open. Other brands can ride this wave too. Fashion can collaborate on capsule collections tied to retreats. Beverage companies can create co-branded experiences at vineyards. Tech companies can sponsor digital detox packages. Airlines can link farm stays to the journey. This is not just about farming, it is about aligning with the psychology of travel, where luxury and purpose become the same thing. Hospitality has to wake up. The future is not glossy infinity pool ads. It is showing the hands-on, behind-the-scenes, the dirt under your fingernails that somehow still feels luxurious because it connects back to health, wellness, and storytelling. Whoever embraces this first will not just win guests, they will win loyalty for life. --- If you like the way I look at the world of hospitality, let's chat: scott@mrscotteddy.com

What if one 45-minute team training could spark the culture shift you’ve been chasing? Every time I lead an all-staff or Green Team training at a hotel, I walk away more energized than when I arrived. It’s simple, but the results are anything but. I was recently in Chicago launching Stay Pineapple’s new sustainability program—and I left completely inspired. The staff didn’t just show up… they leaned in. Here’s the magic: ✨ When you ask your team what they care about... ✨ When you show them why it matters... ✨ When you give them both fundamental and practical tools for success, ownership, and celebrate progress... Engagement goes through the roof. Here’s how you can start: 1. Survey your staff—find out what they value. 2. Identify what motivates them—recognition? Impact? friendly competition? 3. Build in small, meaningful incentives. Monthly green hero shoutouts, bonus points, team challenges—or pineapple "chunks" 🍍 💰 Because here’s the deal: Sustainable hotels don’t just attract conscious guests—they keep great people. - They retain staff longer. - They reduce costly turnover. - And 55% of Gen Zers research a company’s environmental policies before accepting a job. Curious how to activate your team around sustainability in a way that actually sticks? Let’s hop on a quick call. I’ll share a few ideas that have worked really well with other properties. No pressure—just value. DM me “Team Culture,” and I’ll send over a link to book a complimentary call. Huge kudos to the crew at Stay Pineapple—you’re not just building a brand of raving fans (I heard it firsthand in the elevator from a guest 👀), you’re building a culture rooted in people, purpose, and pride. That’s what leadership looks like.