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Expanding Eco-Education Pineapple Hospitality teams with
BITAC to bring green solutions
Saint Charles, Missouri � December 23, 2008 � Pineapple Hospitality has formed an exclusive new agreement with The Buyer Interactive Trade Alliance & Conference (BITAC) to bring cutting-edge green education to what�s already one of the most highly acclaimed events in the hospitality industry. Pineapple Hospitality, the premier distributor of Green Products and Marketing Programs for the Hospitality Industry, will help BITAC formulize green-themed panel discussions, round-table sessions and other agenda items. �BITAC is already a cutting-edge event with a unique format that allows participants to build unparalleled personal and professional relationships,� says Rich Viola, President of Hotel Interactive, the organization behind BITAC. �In the spirit of cutting-edge, Pineapple Hospitality has been the leader in green years before green was popular. �Being able to work together to present green alternatives will help participating lodging organizations achieve their green objectives and run their businesses more effectively.� Pineapple Hospitality not only will help integrate powerful educational sessions into BITAC�s schedule, but will bring touches of green into all sessions where appropriate. Pineapple representatives will be available to moderate panels and answer questions before and after sessions. Because BITAC is known for its hands-on approach � an approach that has made BITAC rated �The Best� or �One of the Best� industry events by 92% of attendees � Pineapple Hospitality also will offer suggestions and assistance in �greening� the meetings and events at each BITAC conference. �We don�t just want to talk about green, we want to take the initiative and demonstrate it throughout each BITAC event,� says Viola. Setting New Standards Pineapple Hospitality not only offers a number of industry-leading green products and marketing services, but President Ray Burger has become a much-relied on eco-consultant for the hospitality industry. He has forged partnerships with some of the top environmentally responsible hospitality suppliers, including InterfaceFLOR, T2 Site Amenities, The Refinishing Touch, Cypress Hotel & Spa, and the Vermont Clothing Company. Pineapple�s EcoRooms & EcoSuites Web site certifies the greenest hotels and is defining what it means to be a greener hotel through its rigorous �Significant 7� criteria:
�Even as green has taken off, there are still so many unknowns out there,� says Burger. �Some don�t know where to start. Others are concerned that going green is going to cost them more. We refer to these as �green conundrums.� Most of all, the entire industry is lacking the knowledge and standards we need to collectively define green. �We�re excited about the ability we�ll have to educate key members of the industry through a forum like BITAC about the benefits, costs savings and resources available to help you go green the right way,� Burger adds. This past summer, Hotel Interactive�s Editor-in-Chief Glenn Haussman wrote an editorial describing the problem that many hotels have faced in going green � namely the lack of standards: �As it stands right now, hotels that simply don�t wash sheets or towels every day get the same credit with consumers as hotels that are making a top-to-bottom concerted effort to make real change. Unscrupulous green-washing is not only dishonest to travel buyers, but also to those hoteliers that are embarking on meaningful change.�It�s no coincidence that BITAC tapped Pineapple, whose EcoRooms & EcoSuites criteria are still the most stringent and credible of any certification program in the world, to lead its own green initiatives. �You have to walk before you run, and you have to have a real plan in place before you jump into going green,� says Viola. �In these challenging economic times, you are almost forced to look for new opportunities and consider new ideas. Working together with Pineapple, we have a really positive opportunity to present these ideas and bring together hoteliers and suppliers in a way that will bring greater prosperity to everyone.� Upcoming Events Pineapple Hospitality will customize the green sessions for each BITAC event being held throughout 2009. Upcoming BITAC events include: Food & Beverage 2009
International Luxury 2009
BITAC brings together the top echelon of both purchasing decision makers
and suppliers while controlling the number of attendees to maximize everyone�s
productivity and overall experience.
1. Gaining knowledge from the sessions;
Key Quotes �[BITAC] gave me an opportunity to immediately identify the value of a given product or service after meeting with pre-qualified industry suppliers.�For more information visit www.BITAC.net About Pineapple Hospitality Headquartered in Saint Charles, Missouri, Pineapple Hospitality� is The Co-Founder and Host of the ANNUAL GREEN HOSPITALITY CONFERENCE, an EPA ENERGY STAR� partner bringing fresh ideas to hospitality guests� doors and owner/operators� bottom lines � including FreshStay® (www.freshstay.com), EcoRooms & EcoSuites (www.EcoRooms.com) Environmentally Sensitive Amenities�, EO®, Neutrogena® and greenSPA� amenities and AVIVA dispensers, Energy Efficient Lighting and Controls, Custom Linen & Towel Re-Use Programs, Green Key Cards, Energy Management Systems and Controls, High Performance showerheads, the Nature�s Mist� deodorization system, Zero Odor, and dozens of other products and programs. For more information, please visit www.pineapplehospitality.net, or call us at 636-922-2285. |
Contact:
Ray Burger
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