In January, the United States inaugurated its forty-fourth commander in chief and ushered in what's largely considered to be a landmark administration. President Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden and their cabinet, have promised sweeping policy changes in several areas. Among the list of Obama's priority issues are the economy, healthcare, foreign policy, and of course energy and the environment as global climate change is one of the fastest growing points of anxiety for America. His plans to address global climate change caused by carbon emissions have been intensely analyzed by policy makers and the media. READ MORE

The first businesses to feel the immediate effects of pending federal legislations will be the energy producers, and in turn, every energy consuming business. Regulations on carbon emissions production and requirements to be greener can be safely associated with higher costs and higher prices for end consumers. Companies who purchase energy to operate multiple sites, like big box retailers, restaurant chains, and hotel chains should take a close look at changes happening at the state level to be prepared for the day when their own states' energy producers are expected to meet similar guidelines, and they in turn see prices jump. READ MORE

With oil prices recently hitting an all time high of $100 a barrel, business leaders have never been more motivated to optimize their energy use. Thanks to market forces, going green now makes good business sense. And there's no better industry to make the business case for going green than hospitality. The hotel industry spends nearly $5 billion annually on energy. Much of that is wasted on empty rooms, inefficient equipment, and poor energy management practices. That's the bad news.With that in mind, here are some basic, yet effective demand-side initiatives to lower hotel operating costs. Some of these ideas apply to existing buildings; some are for those still on the drawing board. All will have a measurable impact on the bottom line. READ MORE

In today's economy, it's difficult for any type of business to commit to a new expense. For hotel operators who remain dedicated to sustainability, it may seem that their green initiatives will have to suffer in these hard times. What many are unaware of are all of the opportunities for energy conservation that cost nothing, or very little. The article that follows details some of the simplest ways to reduce energy consumption and see fast payback in the form of lower energy bills. There's no reason not to take a few easy steps to green your business and add to your bottom line. READ MORE

As market conditions continue to improve in our industry hotels have to work harder than ever to attract families to their properties. Marketing departments must take initiatives to reach out to families to create one-of-a-kind experiences for them. It is the creation of these experiences that will lead to unique brand stories and attract families to your property. Now is time to challenge your marketing department to take initiatives to create one-of-a-kind experiences for families. READ MORE