Event Preview: Hotelier Sustainability Summit
The inaugural Hotelier Middle East Sustainability Summit will bring together general managers, F&B directors, hotel engineers and housekeepers to discuss the most important issues in running hotel sustainability programmes
The first ever Hotelier Middle East Sustainability Summit, which will be held on May 20, 2014, at the Ritz-Carlton, Dubai, will bring together more than 150 hoteliers who are leading green initiatives in their properties.
For the first time in the industry, general managers, engineering directors, heads of food and beverage operations at hotels, and even a marine biologist will gather to discuss sustainability issues ranging from energy and water conservation, recycling and organic waste through to supply chain efficiency, and community initiatives.
The event format will feature panel discussions, case studies on sustainable practices that stand out, and specific workshops for various departments in the hotel, including engineering and IT, housekeeping, F&B, and health and environment.
Among the key speakers at the one-day event are Radisson Blu Residence Dubai Marina general manager Rob Collier, and executive housekeeper Anushya Paramasivam; Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel & Villas marine biologist Arabella Willing; Banyan Tree Al Wadi Ras Al Khaimah general manager Anders Dimblad; Golden Tulip general manager and regional revenue director — MENA, Tarek Lotfy; and from Kempinski Hotel Mall of the Emirates, general manager Konstantin Zeuke, and executive chef Sudqi Naddaf.
The event will begin with a panel discussion titled ‘Developing a Company-wide Sustainable Culture’, where panellists will talk about how department heads can empower members of their team to make a difference, and suggest the immediate changes that can be implemented.
Experts will then move on to the next session — Working with Owners — which will take a look at ways in which hotel chains can engage owners in the sustainability conversation. In the Middle East, where the operator model is prevalent, this topic will highlight how operators can work with owners to ensure that significant sustainable initiatives are implemented during hotel development.
Following a quick presentation on front of house sustainable initiatives — a case study that will outline how a leading hotel used guest education to drive operational efficiency — panellists will delve into a discussion on sustainable F&B practices at hotels.
Titled ‘Will Sustainable Food Create Unsustainable Business?’ the session will shine a light on transparency issues when it comes to ‘green’ products and the challenges and costs involved. Panellists will also talk about the lack of customer education and how to strike a balance between sustainable food sources and customers.
After a morning break, delegates will then be presented with a case study on water efficiency in the back of house, which will illustrate how innovation in the delivery and consumption of water at a hotel has resulted in lower utility bills and higher operational efficiency, and the effect it has had on the balance sheet.
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For instance, at Banyan Tree Al Wadi in Ras Al Khaimah, “waste water collected from the resort undergoes a reverse osmosis process so that it can be pumped into the reserve’s water-hole, as well as used for landscape irrigation,” explains GM Anders Dimblad.
The event will also recognise incentivised methods adopted by some properties, such as Radisson Blu Residence Dubai Marina’s green apartment of the month competition. General manager Rob Collier says: “Our commitment is extended to the employee accommodation where we have a monthly green apartment of the month. We reward the employees who have the lowest footprint on a monthly basis”.
After a lunch break, the event will resume with a presentation on the benefits of a sustainable CSR initiative, which include a more positive corporate culture, higher employee retention, and better relationships with guests.
A second presentation on how sustainability can be used as an effective marketing tool will look at how a hotel has used sustainability to attract guests, and the importance of catering to a young generation of environmentally-conscious travellers.
The final session of the day will focus on balancing sustainability with guest satisfaction and will explore how hotels can balance the drive for sustainable measures with brand standards and guest expectations, while tackling the Middle East’s unique challenges such as a desert environment and lack of fresh water.
Ultimately, the aim of the event is to bring together like-minded hoteliers to move the industry forward in terms of sustainability best practice, for the benefit of both business and the environment.
As Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi’s Arabella Willing says: “The UAE has such a high ecological footprint and consideration for the environment is not always the priority it should be. The hotel industry has an opportunity to lead the way, and set trends for a more sustainable lifestyle. We all have a common environmental goal and summits such as this are a great for sharing ideas and fostering partnerships”.
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ESSENTIAL INFORMATION
Date: May 20, 2014
Venue: The Ritz-Carlton, Dubai
Format: One day event with debates and discussions, case studies, presentations, workshops, and networking opportunities.
Attendance: Attendance is permitted by invitation only and is free to general managers, housekeepers, engineers, F&B directors, and executive chefs. To request an invitation, please contact Amanda.elisha@itp.com or call +971 4 444 3463.
Speaker opportunities: Some speaking and presentation slots are still available. To participate, please register your interest with louby.maktari@itp.com or call +971 4 444 3578.
Sponsorship opportunities: To gain direct access to decision makers, there are a range of sponsorship packages available. For more information, please contact Diarmuid O’Malley on dom@itp.com or +971 4 444 3568.
MEET THE SPONSORS
The Hotelier Middle East Sustainability Summit is a free-to-attend event for hoteliers with a vested interest in sustainability. The event is sponsored by some of the best partners and suppliers in the hospitality industry in the Middle East.
Intercoil is the platinum sponsor, while lunch at the event will be sponsored by Meat & Livestock Australia. Meiko, S. Pellegrino and Acqua Panna will exhibit their products at the event.