I was upset to read that Benchmark Hospitality International (in a recent One+ article) stated the, “#2 Top Meeting Trend. It is not easy being green. Or at least it’s not easy being green in a challenging economy.”

Really? Has there ever been a better time? Doesn’t this economy call for innovation? We are all looking for ways to save money–planners and suppliers alike.

Luckily, the Intercontinental Hotels Group agrees. IHG, the world’s largest hotel company by number of rooms, is trialling a new on-line system called ‘Green Engage*’, which will help hotel general managers manage energy consumption more effectively. Early trials have shown potential energy savings of up to 25%. If fully adopted by all hotels across the 4,000 strong IHG portfolio, it is estimated that the savings for hotel owners could be as much as $200 million.

The IHG ‘Green Engage’ software works by hotels directly inputting data on site. The system automatically compares hotels of a similar nature across the world and lists a series of actions that each hotel can take to reduce waste and the consumption of energy and water.

Huge savings for both the environment and their bottom line! I repeat, has there ever been a better time?