#Hersha earthview full#
#Hersha earthview professional#

While part of Thomas’ role at Hersha is in the area of finance, he is also focused on EarthView. Unlike some companies that have set specific reduction targets for emissions, water, waste, etc., Hersha is concentrating first on entering two years of emissions data for its 80 hotels into the Energy Star Portfolio Manager. The modest cost of sending partially used soap and shampoo to Clean the World was paid for with the savings from a switch to more eco-friendly paper products. That happened in the case with its partnership with Clean the World, a nonprofit that donates soap and shampoo to those in need. In some cases Hersha will pay for one green program with the savings incurred from another green program. Other green steps include discontinuing the use of Styrofoam, eliminating guestroom phone books, using “green” key cards, formalizing preventive maintenance, and purchasing only appliances that are Energy Star rated. “We are getting the basics down first and the cultural changes in,” Thomas says.

In the areas of energy, water and waste, the emphasis of EarthView initially has been on taking care of the low hanging fruit at each property-energy-efficient lighting, towel and linen reuse programs, digital thermostats, energy management systems, and in-room recycling. An important component of EarthView is also community-helping to enrich the communities in which its hotels are located through activities such as tree plantings and other volunteer efforts focused on community stewardship, arts, education and wellness. “We launched it in late 2010, early 2011 in corporate offices and at the property level,” Thomas says.ĮarthView is focused on reducing energy and water consumption as well as waste. Hersha piloted EarthView from 2009 to 2010. For the Hersha Group, with more than 80 hotels and almost 11,000 rooms across many brands and its own independent hotels known as the Independent Collection, EarthView is part of a larger strategy to deliver a positive internal rate of return on the company’s investments-a strategy not only good for Hersha but for its stakeholders as well.

PHILADELPHIA-As initiator and overseer of Hersha Hospitality’s EarthView program, Bennett Thomas makes sure that his company’s environmental and conservation programs positively impact the company’s bottom line while simultaneously improving the environment, well-being of its guests, employees, and communities. When team members understand the core principles and mission of EarthView, they are more likely to make an even greater impact.” We try to reach out to properties as often as possible. Continuing to educate and reiterate what the message is. Organization’s most significant environment-related challenge: “Largely, when you have more than 80 hotels and rooms it is about implementation and engagement. Organization’s most significant environment-related accomplishment so far: “We have a program in place to cut carbon emissions and water consumption by 7 to 10 percent and waste by 30 to 40 percent.” Primary responsibilities: Bennett is responsible for corporate finance and EarthView, Hersha Hospitality’s sustainability program. Years with Hersha Hospitality Group: Five

Learn more about the Statler Hotel at : Vice President of Finance & Sustainability

#Hersha earthview full#

Therefore, EarthView evaluates the financial impact of the full program rather than each initiative independently. Hersha developed the program with the idea that initiatives should not be excluded without consideration simply because the financial returns are intangible. “Through this unique partnership, the Statler will further enrich its educational program while also realizing significant triple-bottom-line results for the property.”ĮarthView, which won the 2012 NAREIT Leader in the Light award for superior and sustained energy improvements, focuses on the cumulative positive returns of a property’s sustainability initiatives. “The Statler Hotel has made great progress over the last several years in integrating sustainable initiatives into its operations,” said Rick Adie ’75, general manager.

The teams will then collaborate to implement new projects as part of a comprehensive sustainability program that will be rolled out over the course of the spring semester.

#Hersha earthview professional#

Professional staff from the Statler and students in the Hotel Leadership Development Program are already working with Hersha’s EarthView team to catalogue what the hotel is already doing in sustainability, calculate costs and savings, and evaluate what new initiatives will have the most positive impact at the Statler. In partnership with the Hersha Group, the Statler Hotel has launched EarthView®, a triple-bottom-line sustainability program that will evaluate and increase the hotel’s financial, environmental, and social impact.