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Doubletree Portland's Ongoing Process of Improving Operations
and Conserving Resources Recognized by AH&LA
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PORTLAND, Ore. �  July 15, 2008 - The Doubletree® Hotel Portland announced today that they have received a major industry award.

The Doubletree Portland was recently awarded a national Good Earthkeeping Award in the large property category from the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA.)  This award distinguishes the Doubletree for integrating environmental management practices that improve everyday operations and the bottom line, while maintaining quality service and meeting guest expectations.  The winning program must demonstrate success in one or more of the following areas: energy conservation, solid waste reduction, effluents and emissions, water conservation, purchasing, and business issues  such as guest demands, community issues, land use and development, training, and policy.
 

Doubletree Portland's Ongoing Process of Improving Operations and Conserving Resources:
  • Reduced overall waste disposal by 65% since 1996
  • Diverted kitchen waste into compost at an average rate of 14-17 tons per month
  • Employee paper-saving program has reduced office paper purchasing by 20% annually
  • Retrofits have reduced water usage by 15%
  • Total energy consumption has been brought down by 32%
  • Employee mass transit subsidies have saved 9,500 gallons of gasoline per year, since 1999
  • Established property-wide recycling program including containers, office products, cooking oil, and fluorescent light bulbs
  • Implemented a comprehensive Environmental Purchasing Policy
  • Purchases 900,000 kilowatt hours of electricity annually from renewable energy sources such as wind, geothermal and biomass
  • Purchase 65% of our food products from within a 500-mile region
  • Converted to a 100% non smoking hotel as of January 1, 2008
  • Offsets 15% of its electricity use, or about 900 tons of carbon emissions, with Blue Sky purchases

The Doubletree was nominated for the award by the Oregon Lodging Association (OLA). Partner state associations like the OLA choose their own property award nominees, which are submitted to the association for national judging.  Gregg Mindt, President of the Oregon Lodging Association states, �The Doubletree has clearly set themselves apart in the lodging industry as a leader in green/sustainability efforts. They have seen the benefit to their hotel, customers, staff and the environment. The Doubletree is a great resource for other area hotels looking to increase sustainability efforts.�

The judges in this year�s competition included Kristen Clemens, Vice President of Marketing & Communications, Destination Marketing Association International; Phil Hayward, Editor, Lodging magazine; and Allen Kay, Director of Communications, Travel Industry Association of America.

The AH & LA�s Stars of the Industry and Achievement Awards were announced during a ceremony at the AH&LA Summer Summit at The Skirvin Hilton Hotel in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. 

This award is the latest in a series of national accolades for the Doubletree�s sustainability programs. The Doubletree Portland was the first lodging property in Oregon to be Green Seal GS-33 certified, and they have been honored by such national organizations as the US Environmental Protection Agency, Metafore, and the Doubletree brand.

Regionally, The Doubletree has been named a BEST sustainable business by the City of Portland, one of Oregon�s 100 Best Businesses to Work For, and earned the State of Oregon Governor �Exemplar� Award for Sustainability in 2007.

In an effort to maintain transparency about their sustainable programs, the hotel has just released �Operating in the Green� their first sustainability report, which recaps their accomplishments to date, recent developments, and forecasts goals for 2009. 

Highlights of last year�s sustainability measures included:

  • Converting to a 100% non-smoking hotel as of January 1, 2008.
  • Instituting a parking discount for overnight guests driving hybrid & electric vehicles.
  • Introducing a �true� Biodiesel van for guest transportation.
  • Increasing renewable energy use by 10% through a BlueSky purchasing partnership with Pacific Power.
The complete version of �Operating in the Green� is available through the Doubletree�s designated website, www.doubletreeportlandgreen.com.

The Doubletree Hotel Portland is located just blocks from the LEED certified Oregon Convention Center, the Rose Garden Arena, and Memorial Coliseum. Located less than 10 miles from the Portland International Airport, guests can utilize door-to-door service on the MAX light rail system.  For more information, please call 503-281-6111, or visit our website at www.doubletreeportlandgreen.com.

The American Hotel & Lodging Association is the sole national association representing all sectors and stakeholders in the lodging industry, including individual hotel property members, hotel companies, student and faculty members, and industry suppliers. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., AH&LA provides members with national advocacy on Capitol Hill, public relations and image management, education, research and information, and other value-added services to provide bottom line savings and ensure a positive business climate for the lodging industry. For more information, please visit www.ahla.com.

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Contact:

Stephanie Cameron, Director of Marketing
Doubletree Hotel Portland
503.331.4905
[email protected]

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Also See: The Doubletree Hotel Portland�s Carbon Offset Program Includes the Elimination of Airport Shuttle, Installation of Low-flow Showerheads / April 2007
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