The Doubletree Hotel & Executive Meeting Center Portland-Lloyd Center
announced that the property has earned a Green Seal GS-33 Lodging
Sustainability certification.The 476-room Doubletree is the first lodging
property in Oregon and the largest hotel west of the Mississippi to receive
this ‘green hotel’ designation, which includes a set of stringent criteria
that encourages hotels to adopt environmental standards and practices in
their everyday operations.

The Green Seal certification is the latest step in this Doubletree’s
efforts to build sustainable practices into its entire operations. From
installation of energy- and water-efficient fixtures and lighting in
guestrooms and public areas to unique ways to handle food waste to
environmentally sensitive purchasing policies, the upscale, full-service
hotel property has made a substantial effort to educate its staff on the
importance of being sustainable in a variety of inventive and unique ways.

“Today, our entire team at the Doubletree Hotel Portland-Lloyd Center
clearly understands the implications of how everything we do in our
everyday duties throughout our hotel can ultimately have a measurable
impact on the world in which we live,” says Steve Faustick, hotel general
manager.  “Several months ago, we began the journey to make a conscious and
measurable effort in becoming an eco-business that we hoped could be a
model of conservation for our industry throughout the Pacific Northwest.
Our Green Seal certification is our proud first step in this long-term
plan.”

The green hotel has instituted a ‘Green Team’ of employees who spearhead
the property?s efforts to implement sustainable practices and to keep
fellow employees informed of these measures.  Initiatives implemented
include recycling programs in common areas, guest rooms, and administrative
areas; environmental purchasing policies for recycled-content products and
much more.

“Sustainability rests on the principles that every person must take make
use of our earth’s precious resources today without compromising the
ability of future generations to enjoy them, as well,” said Doug Brecht,
hotel director of operations.  “Our Green Seal accomplishment wouldn’t mean
anything if it weren’t for the participation, contribution and enthusiasm
of each employee - from management to line-level employees - in order to
make a collective and positive difference.”

Since 1995, Green Seal has partnered with the lodging industry, the
nation’s second largest employer, to promote environmentally responsible
products and practices within lodging properties. Green Seal’s campaign to
inform the nearly 54,000 U.S. hotels and motels focuses on how
environmental efforts both improve the bottom line and benefit the
environment.

Because of its efforts, the Doubletree has been selected to host the
national conference of the Green Meeting Industry Council in February 2007.
This event is part of a larger marketing effort by the Portland Oregon
Visitors Association (POVA) to offer the country?s first comprehensive
Green Seal meetings package.

“The momentum has really been building, such that green meetings are now on
the radar for meeting planners. Our research shows that planners see green meeting services as an
advantage, assuming the other factors are equal,” says POVA’s Tamara
Kennedy-Hill. “Portland has the reputation of being a green destination,
but we really needed one of our major hotels to be Green Seal certified to
set the standard.”
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