INNCOM�s ecoMODE� thermostat was also honored
with the Editors� Choice Award in the �Green Technology� category; The
system reduces energy consumption and costs, and provides an opportunity
for hotels to promote themselves as being eco-friendly. |
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NIANTIC, CT � NOV. 16, 2007 � INNCOM international, inc., was singled
out at the 92nd annual International Hotel/Motel & Restaurant Show®
(IH/M&RS) this week at New York City�s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center
as the Kenneth F. Hine �Best of Show� award winner for it�s newest product
innovation, ecoMODE. The honor was bestowed on INNCOM after being selected
as one of 10 exhibitors out of 150 submissions to win a coveted Editors�
Choice Award.
Now
in its 12th year, the Editors� Choice Awards serve as an opportunity for
exhibitors to position their new product in the marketplace as the must-have
new product of the year. Honorees were selected based on innovative product
design, how a product answers a particular industry need, creative use
of material or construction, and development or use of a new technology.
�This
year, the Awards program was expanded to include a green equivalent to
each of the competition�s five traditional categories of décor,
essentials, luxury, restaurant and technology,� said Christian Falkenberg,
IH/M&R show manager. �INNCOM was honored in the �Green Technology�
category for its e4 Smart Digital Thermostat with ecoMODE, a device that
allows guests to opt into the hotel�s conservation program with the touch
of a button, instantly triggering the e4�s energy-saving mode and activating
participation in reduced towel and linen washing.
�It was this product that also won INNCOM the �Best of Show� honor,�
he said. �This year�s contest was extremely competitive, demonstrating
the quality and quantity of new products launched at the IH/M&RS. We
are proud to recognize INNCOM with this award, a company that has been
providing energy-saving solutions to hotels for more than 20 years.�
�We are delighted to have been chosen �Best of Show� at this premier
international hotel and restaurant event,� said Duane Buckingham, chairman
and CEO of INNCOM. �Our customers want to better respond to guests� demands
that hotels be more environmentally friendly. While INNCOM has always been
at the forefront of guestroom innovation, this was like a light bulb switching
on. We were discussing sustainability programs with a senior corporate
hotel executive when one of our folks said, �Why don�t we just add a simple
green button to our smart digital thermostat?� And voila! The idea
immediately caught on, and we went to work developing the software and
tooling needed to execute this �win-win� � and now �award-winning� �concept.�
The benefits of ecoMODE are many: First, it demonstrates to prospective
guests that a property is eco-friendly; Second, it is low cost and
reduces energy usage and, of course, operating costs; Third, it provides
housekeepers with a convenient, efficient method of setting the temperature
back in unoccupied or unrented rooms; Fourth, it can be used to identify
guests who are likely to participate in other environment programs, such
as changing bedding every other day or not throwing out partially-used
soap and other bathroom amenities on a daily basis; And finally,
it is simply a smart environmental practice.
�The enthusiasm witnessed among all the hoteliers that visited the INNCOM
booth during the show was exhilarating,� said Rick Quirino, INNCOM President.
�There was a high level of interest from properties across the entire service
spectrum, including hotels, resorts, casinos, cruise ships, mixed-use developments
and self-designated Green hotels.
�We�d love to speak to any hoteliers interested in adding ecoMODE --
simply and with only a minimal investment -- to their existing e4 system,�
he said. �ecoMODE is designed for any hospitality establishment that seeks
to demonstrate to its guests a firm commitment to environmental sustainability
practices.�
Judges
for the 12th annual IH/M&RS Editors� Choice Awards were: Michael Birchenall,
Foodservice Monthly; Janice Cha, Foodservice Equipment & Reports; Glenn
Hasek, Green Lodging News; Philip Hayward, Lodging; Adam Kirby, HOTELS;
Fred Klashman, Total Food Service; Dennis Nessler, Hotel Business; Michael
Oshman, Green Restaurant Association; Stephanie Ricca, Hotel & Motel
Management; and Ed Watkins, Lodging Hospitality.
About INNCOM international, inc.: Founded in 1986, INNCOM develops,
manufactures, and markets advanced guestroom control systems for the global
lodging industry. The company�s product line ranges from programmable digital
thermostats to fully integrated energy management and communication systems.
All INNCOM products are designed to enhance guest comfort, safety and satisfaction
while increasing bottom line profits for property owners. INNCOM systems
are installed in more than 350,000 guestrooms in many of the most prestigious
hotels in 26 countries.
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