Green = Greenbacks in 2010: Eco Hotels Hold RFP Advantage in Race for Big Business - By Scott Parisi
	It's that time again - the National Business Travel Association (NBTA) has put out the coming year's round of Requests for Proposals, otherwise known as RFP's. From coast to coast and around the world, hotel staff are sharpening their pencils and filling out select paperwork from a mountain of NBTA forms with the hope of winning business in 2010.
RFP season is a familiar ritual for veteran hoteliers. Each summer it's the same old song and dance, answering the same old standard questions about room count, location, ratings, taxes, amenities, ADA compliance, etc. But we at EcoGreenHotel are pleased to see the requests for proposals require some additional new information. Hotels must now outline their environmental initiatives and green certifications. That's right... your 'Green Hotel Checklist' has just become critical ammunition in your NBTA bidding war arsenal! NBTA's 2010 RFP's require that your hotel describe: � the top five environmental programs employed on your property (such as linen reuse, reusable key cards, energy efficiency efforts) � environmental certifications you've earned, with a preference given to certifications that require on-site audits � details about your recycling program � your use of environmentally responsible cleaners � your water conservation efforts, such as linen reuse and/or water saving fixtures Obviously, hotels that can demonstrate strong environmental programs stand to rank higher in the competition than those that can't. In fact, it's very clear that not having a sustainability plan in effect might cost your hotel big business next year. If you want to boost your property's green profile - and your chances of winning large national accounts in 2010 - contact EcoGreenHotel right now. Our team of seasoned green hospitality specialists can quickly, efficiently and affordably set the wheels in motion to get your environmental program rolling today. We'll identify the 'low hanging fruit' and show you how to make the best use of your current assets, and we'll also present you with a wide variety of options for implementing a meaningful - and profitable - sustainability plan at your hotel. Don't put your green initiative off another minute. The planet - and your hotel's bottom line - depends upon it. EcoGreenHotel.com offers a marketplace for green hotel products and services and provides a one- stop venue for green hospitality industry news, basic environmental overviews and other tools like green hotel checklists, project ideas, book lists, and valuable links designed to promote a more sustainable hospitality industry.