New York November 9, 2011 – Sustainability consultancy MindClick SGM, founder and leader of the Hospitality Sustainable Purchasing Consortium, is working with the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) to advance the shared mission of a sustainable future for hospitality.  
 
The rapidly growing Consortium, comprised of more than 25 global companies, is creating a scorecard rating system to measure the sustainability performance of suppliers of hotel furnishings and supplies. The scorecard, known as the Hospitality Sustainable Purchasing Index (HSP Index) measures corporate social responsibility, product, and environmental sustainability performance.  Consortium members are currently evaluating the HSP Index to ensure that it meets the information and measurement needs for all purchasing stakeholders. 
 
Recognizing the complementary nature of the HSP Index and the LEED® green building program, MindClick is now working with the USGBC to align the HSP Index with the LEED for New Construction, LEED for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance and LEED for Commercial Interiors rating systems. The result is expected to be a comprehensive solution that enables owners to build, operate and furnish properties in ways that enhance guest health and well-being, while reducing their overall environmental impact.
 
JoAnna Abrams, CEO of MindClick/SGM, said, “We are delighted to announce our efforts with the USGBC.” She concluded, “By aligning our industry-wide HSP Index to LEED, we will enable owners, developers, designers and vendors to build, operate and furnish greener hotels more easily -- creating a more sustainable industry that benefits everyone, especially the guest.”
 
The Push for a Comprehensive Solution
 
Dave Lippert, Vice President - A&C Procurement for Marriott, said, “As a Founding Member of the Consortium, and a committed participant in the LEED Volume Program, we are committed to fully integrating sustainability into all aspects of our hotels.” He concluded, “We are pleased with the efforts underway to coordinate sustainable building, design, purchasing and operations for the benefit of our customers, owners, partners and our guests.”
 
Consortium members to date include Marriott International, American Standard, Audit Logistics, Aqua Hospitality Carpets, Benjamin West, BYD, Contract Decor International, Delta Faucet Company, Innvision, InterfaceFLOR, JLF/lone meadow, Kimball Hospitality, Majestic Mirror and Frame, Mark David, P/Kaufmann, PE INTERNATIONAL Inc., Quiltcraft Industries, Ramsey Purchasing, Richloom Fabrics Group, RTKL, SERA Architects, Shafer Commercial Seating, Simmons Hospitality Bedding, Thomasville, and Valley Forge Fabrics.
 
With more than 4.5 million hotel rooms in the U.S., guest room furnishings and supplies are a major investment for all hotels, brands and owners and have a substantial impact on the guest experience and the environmental footprint of a hotel.
 
Details on the Hospitality Sustainable Purchasing Index (HSP Index) are expected in the coming weeks.
                      
About the Hospitality Sustainable Purchasing Consortium
Established in June 2011 by MindClick SGM™, the Consortium is comprised of a group of leaders in the hotel industry representing brands, suppliers, architecture and design firms, purchasing companies, owners and sustainability experts.  Led by MindClick, Consortium members are working collaboratively to provide the industry with a unified approach to greening the global supply chain.  The Hospitality Sustainable Purchasing Index (HSPI) will set the criteria for sustainable purchasing and create a repository of supplier performance in the areas of corporate social responsibility, product, and environmental sustainability.  For more information visit www.hspiconsortium.com.
 
About MindClick SGM
MindClick SGM, a leading sustainability research and consulting firm, provides clients with performance measurement tools to develop, implement, improve and promote product and company sustainability.  Serving clients ranging from global Fortune 1000 companies in consumer products, automotive, and hospitality, to family owned building products suppliers, to government municipalities, MindClick drives growth through sustainability.  Headquartered in Los Angeles with offices in San Francisco and Seattle, MindClick combines a decade of experience in sustainability with 20+ years of research, product development and marketing expertise, serving brands such as Nestle, Microsoft, AT & T, Time Warner, Toyota, Lexus, DuraFlame and Skechers.  The result is sustainability performance rating services that provide executive decision makers with the knowledge to maximize business success.  For more information, visit www.mindclicksgm.com.
 
About LEED
The LEED® green building certification program is a voluntary, consensus-based national rating system for buildings designed, constructed and operated for improved environmental and human health performance. LEED addresses all building types and emphasizes state-of-the- art strategies in five areas: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials and resources selection, and indoor environmental quality.