Boston Green Tourism Meeting Agenda

 February 14, 2013

Location: InterContinental Boston, Dartmouth/Eleanor Room

Hosts: Tim Kirwan, Fabienne Eliacin,Vasco Foster, Tony Masco and Michael Ditterline

2:30 to 2:40     Introductions

2:40 to 2:45     Welcome, Tim Kirwan, General Manager, InterContinental Boston

                       Update, Dan Ruben

2:45 to 3:05     InterContinental Boston's Green Initiatives: Let's Engage                               Fabienne Eliacin, Engineering Coordinator, InterContinental Boston

3:05 to 3:15    The Haulers Perspective: What makes the Intercontinental  

                       Hotel Recycling Program Work?

                       Cardboard: To Bale or Not to Bale.

                       Adam Mitchell, Partner, Save That Stuff

3:15 to 3:45     High Efficiency Filters for Hotels: Save Energy and Labor,       

                        Improve Air Quality                      

3:45 to 4:05     Green Tour of InterContinental Boston

New Report, New Plans to Prepare Boston for Sea Level Rise  

Had Hurricane Sandy struck Boston at high tide rather than low tide over 6% of the city would have been flooded, according to the Boston Harbor Association (BHA) report Preparing for the Rising Tide. The sea level has risen by almost a foot over the past century. It is expected to rise at least three to six feet more this century, making Boston increasingly vulnerable to storm surges. The damage incurred by several Massachusetts coastal communities last weekend is a sobering reminder that we must prepare our properties and the local infrastructure for the reality of the rising sea. 

Last week, Mayor Menino announced the next steps in his plan to prepare Boston for major coastal storms in light of the growing risk. Among other measures, he formed the Climate Preparedness Task Force to guide the city's planning process, he asked the Green Ribbon Commission to make recommendations about how businesses can reduce their vulnerability, and he assigned the Boston Redevelopment Authority to survey the preparedness of vulnerable buildings, T stations and other structures.

If you want to find out your property's vulnerability to storms, see the BHA's Sea Level Rise maps that show the areas of the city impacted by floods of 2.5 feet, 5 feet and 7.5 feet above high tide.

The BHA report calls for a public-private partnership to make Boston more resilient to flooding risks. They recommend that owners of property in or near the coastal floodplain: update their assessment of their building's vulnerability, based on the expected sea level rise; prepare for a 100-year flood; evaluate ways to make their properties more flood resistant; identify obstacles and limitations that prevent them from protecting their properties; evaluate how the flooding of public infrastructure would impact their businesses; participate in the climate preparedness planning process--and bring their concerns to light.

Educate Staff to Cut Home Utility Bills and Recycle--and Gain their Cooperation with your Hotel's Green Program

At the Greater Boston Energy Efficient Hotels Conference, Westin Copley Place GM Michael Jorgensen said that his management sends staff tips about conserving energy, water and reducing waste at home. Doing so helps them reduce their bills, and boosts their cooperation with the hotel's green program.

I applaud Westin's practice--and I can help, too. I make presentations at hotels, other businesses and public libraries about how people save money by living a greener lifestyle.The practices I discuss have enabled me to cut my home heating, electricity and gasoline bills by 78% so far. The handout that I use is here. If you want me to speak to your hotel's staff, please contact me. It's a free service to member hotels.  

Energy Star Webinars

Energy Star offersgood webinars, like the two sessions listed below. Use this link to see the program list and register.    

1. The Basics of Benchmarking in Portfolio Manager

    Tuesday, February 19, 2013 at 2:00 pm ET

Attendees will learn how to use Portfolio Manager to establish energy and water use baselines, track energy and water use and greenhouse gas emission reductions over time, prioritize investments, and set goals. Attendees will also learn how EPA's energy performance score compares peer facilities across the country, and how to take advantage of national recognition opportunities for top-performing buildings.

2. Computer Power Management with ENERGY STAR

    Thursday, February 21, 2013 at 1:00 pm ET

This presentation describes an ENERGY STAR offering that is helping organizations realize substantial energy and financial savings available from computer and monitor power management. The training introduces an innovative software tool that enables monitor power management from a central location, as well as educational outreach material. Organizations utilizing this free software (which may be downloaded from the Web) can save $10 to $50 per computer. Who should participate? IT staff, energy managers, building managers, and upper management.

Everything You Need to Know Webinar: "Electronically Commutated (EC) Motors - Increasing Efficiency & Lowering Costs"

This EcoGreenHotel webinar will be held on February21, from 2:00 to 2:30. Hotels have motors  throughout your property in equipment such as air-handlers, pumps and  walk-in freezer/refrigerators.  This webinar will explain: 1. what is an EC motor;  2. where are EC motor upgrades applicable;  3. the typical savings from replacing your standard shade-pole motor; and 4. EC Motor applications in refrigeration.

For more information, and to register, go here.    

February 14: InterContinental Boston 

March 21

May 9

June 20  

August 1

September 12

October 24

December 5