The Refinishing Touch Blog

New Deloitte Survey Confirms Consumer Demand for Green Travel


It's official: The holiday season is here. Many people will be traveling today as part of their Thanksgiving plans and looking to their next set of travels. People are still traveling despite pundits' predictions for less travel due to the economy.

As we mentioned in a previous post - now is the time to market to, and attract these travelers. Of course, the hotel industry could develop promotions for cost saving benefits for travelers but that's a temporary solution to fill rooms, the return on investment simply isn't there for the property in the long run.
The solution to help in both the short and long term is to simply go green - it's a long-term proposition that is of increasing value to consumers.

Green is a key concern to travelers. A recent Deloitte survey found an increase in the number of consumers who want to be green when they travel, up to 48 percent this year - up seven percentage points from last year's survey.

Eco-friendly travellers want the properties they stay at to recycle (80 percent), use energy efficient lighting (75 percent), use energy efficient windows (60 percent), use environmentally safe cleaning products (57 percent), have water-saving devices in rooms (50 percent), provide local transportation options (50 percent) and use renewable energy (40 percent).

Investments in sustainability is the solution to acquire new customers and grow business during a difficult economic climate. The hotel industry executives that engage with The Refinishing Touch realize the benefits of managing their existing assets and can use this as a way to promote their commitment to the environment, sustainability and reducing their carbon footprint. Executing a green program now will benefit the hotel down the road as more travellers are focused on green issues.
It will be interesting to see the year-on-year increase to Deloitte's survey in 2009, and how the hospitality industry responds.

posted by TRT Blog on Friday, November 28, 2008 at 10:00 AM 2 Comments



It's as easy as Reuse, Reduce and Recycle: Taking the First Steps to Going Green

We all have to start somewhere when it comes to taking steps to be more environmentally friendly. Even major players in the green movement had to begin somewhere. Green is the new gold standard when it comes to being a good corporate citizen, however, the question many hotels, universities and government organizations face is how to begin this process.


A recent article in Hotel Interactive, "So you Want to Go Green," addresses the steps and different options hotels can take to start the green process. There's a need for this kind of guidance as we look to a new year, many hotels are keen to save money and the planet, but unsure of where to start. Going green doesn't have to happen overnight but it's a critical program to begin implementing. It's important not to be overwhelmed with the idea of starting a program. Every green initiative, large or small makes a difference to the business and the environment.

Here at The Refinishing Touch we work with organizations that are just starting to take steps in going green, as well as with those who have major initiatives underway to be more environmentally responsible. By running an environmentally responsible operation with cost-effective procedures and facility improvements, businesses can demonstrate leadership in sustainability, therefore, enhancing their competitiveness and appeal to customers, partners and consumer who are driven by the green movement.

We encourage the three R's (recycle, reuse, and reduce consumption) for companies starting to take strides in the green movement. Starting with a time line and making a commitment to go green will ultimately benefit the company by lowering costs, reducing the carbon footprint and being a better corporate citizen. Although starting an environmental program can seem overwhelming, its benefits are worth the weight in green.

posted by TRT Blog on Tuesday, November 25, 2008 at 3:14 PM 1 Comments





The Politics of Going Green

The call to go green is louder than ever before, especially in the hotel industry. Although environmental movements have been in practice for the past few decades, reality has finally set in and the hotel industry is realizing that changes and a set of standards need to be implemented.

A question has been hanging around for some time: who would create the new standards? Which governing organization would create the checks and balances for the industry to follow and discipline hotels not following appropriate standards?

The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA) stepped up, suggesting that it create a certification system for all hotels. However, this wasn't in the best interest of the organization. The AH&LA realized that if it was to step in to take the lead, it risked putting hotels at odds with one another. Worse, they could be forced to take action against one of its own members, if that hotel failed to follow guidelines. The organization wasn't an objective third party, so it couldn't implement standards.

Realizing what makes the most sense for the industry standard, the AH&LA will now be working with the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) to make their Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification standards more 'hospitality friendly.' If you can imagine, only 13 hotels currently have LEED certification and there are more than 48,000 hotels in the US. Within two years there could be as many as 1,700 hotels in the LEED certification process.

At The Refinishing Touch we are 100% behind the movement, and fully support the USGBC stepping in as a third party to help manage the process. The AH&LA has been instrumental in getting the process to this point, and it makes complete sense for USGBC to step in and assist.

The hotel industry is one of the top five ranked intensive energy users in the US commercial sector. It's extremely important for the industry to put resource conservation and sustainability at the top of its list of priorities - in all aspects of the business. Green standards help not only the environment but also help hotels save money and attract new customers, such as business and leisure travelers who are also concerned with green issues.

posted by TRT Blog on Friday, November 21, 2008 at 2:12 PM 0 Comments

TRT team members go onsite to Atlanta

Hilton Atlanta Northeast

Last week, a few key members of the TRT team traveled to the Hilton Atlanta Northeast to observe one of our armoire projects in progress. Amy Parson, our Sales Coordinator, and Ryan Riopko, our Marketing Coordinator, went to the property and met with Scott Deutsch, Director of Production to watch what is done on site during an armoire conversion project.

We are currently completing armoire modification within each of the 272 elegantly appointed guest rooms and suites, and enjoying a real onsite production atmosphere.

As part of the TRT family, we are proud to present an impeccably organized, clean and swift operation from start to finish.

TRT has a long-standing relationship with the Hilton Atlanta Northeast. We have completed several jobs for them over the past few years, including the refinishing and upholstery of both guest rooms and public spaces. We look forward to bringing the same distinguished service for many years to come.

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posted by TRT Blog on Tuesday, November 18, 2008 at 9:00 AM 0 Comments

With new administration, comes greener change

U.S. Green Building Council

President-Elect Barack Obama campaigned hard along the road to the White House. Amongst his platform issues, Obama slated very specific initiatives to move this nation toward greener practices extending from energy efficiency to green building.

The United States Green Building Council (USGBC) continues to work tirelessly using the momentum of the campaign and existing green strategy to ensure sound policies are put in place with his new administration.

Among its initiatives, the USGBC is an institution that remains a strong force in ensuring that promoting green building and efficiency goals remain a priority for the new administration. With these proposals and incentives President-Elect Obama's plans for smart growth have the potential to create some 5 million new green jobs and $35 billion in annual economic activity.

The Presidential election may be over, but we here at The Refinishing Touch are elated to see the campaign efforts of the USGBC continue as we move forward toward a greener America.

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posted by TRT Blog on Friday, November 14, 2008 at 2:38 PM 0 Comments

The place to be seen and be green: The Hotel/Motel & Restaurant Show (IH/M&RS), NYC

International Hotel/Motel & Restaurant Show
The Refinishing Touch team is at the International Hotel/Motel & Restaurant Show (IH/M&RS) in New York City. The show officially started on Sunday, November 9 and runs through November 11, at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. A staggering 35,000 people were expected to attend over the course of the show.

A focus for this year's show is environmental trends and related issues facing the hotel and motel industry, with Former U.S. Green Building Council President and CEO, Christine Ervin, outlining her thoughts in a keynote speech. Additionally, multiple breakout sessions are being chaired by some of the leading green thinkers in the hospitality industry.

This is definitely the show to attend if you are a hotel or motel industry executive that is looking for ways to increase profitability and enhance your company's image by going green.

If you are at the show please stop by and visit us at booth #3626.

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posted by TRT Blog on Tuesday, November 11, 2008 at 12:28 PM 0 Comments

The Energy Plan: TRT looks forward to seeing focus from new administration


We all witnessed, and many of us participated, in what will be remembered for generations to come as a landmark election in the history of the United States.

Today our world is facing many serious problems. Currently, the most pressing and on everyone's minds is the financial crisis, however, another serious problem, with deeper and longer lasting effects, is global warming.

With Barack Obama and Joe Biden taking office in January 2009 we will hopefully begin to see a renewed focus on the environment. To date, they have outlined some ambitious plans to combat global warming. At the top of the list is the goal to reduce carbon emissions 80% by 2050. They would start reducing emissions immediately upon taking office and implement a mandate that would reduce emissions to 1990 levels by 2020.

Obama and Biden are planning to use a cap-and-trade program to reduce emissions. An overall national cap on carbon emissions would be established and companies would be given an allowance that represents a permission to emit a certain amount of carbon. A bartering system would be established allowing companies to buy and sell allowances. Companies able to reduce pollution at low cost would be able to sell extra allowances to companies facing high costs. The number of allowances would be reduced each year to coincide with the annual reduction targets.

Currently, there are three main laws in support of furniture refinishing for Federal departments and agencies they include; Pollution Prevention Act of 1990, USC Title 40 which points out the Federal Government may not purchase furniture if the Adminstrator of General Services detmines that the needs could be met by transferring excess furniture from other departments including refinished furniture and the Executive Order 13423 signed by George W. Bush to improve energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 3% annually through the end of 2015.

Under the new administration, they are also planning to establish national standards to ensure that less carbon intensive energy is used in our energy supply. And it will be important to see how the current laws in support of furniture refinishing are supported moving forward.

Energy conversation will be a high priority. Obama and Biden plan to make the Federal Government the leader in saving electricity by making federal buildings more energy efficient and revamping Federal Efficiency codes. Conserving existing resources and assets is truly critical. Whether the focus is on energy or recycling to decrease landfill dumping - we believe the government (on a federal and local level) and corporate America need to be accountable for utilizing existing assets.

We are looking forward to seeing focus on the environment from the new administration. Cost savings and concern for the environment to reduce carbon footprints should be a priority for everyone including; businesses, the hospitality industry and the government. If you haven't already looked at the Obama and Biden energy and environment plans take an opportunity to see their plans.

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posted by TRT Blog on Friday, November 7, 2008 at 10:18 AM 0 Comments

Financial crisis extends to universities


It seems the recent financial state of our nation has begun affecting our educational sector. News of cutbacks and hiring freezes has surfaced, raising eyebrows and concern levels even amongst some of our nation's most prestigious educational institutions.

Boston University announced its plan to freeze non-critical hires in anticipation of rising demand for financial aid, while universities such as Stanford and other California universities have responded with plans to tighten their belts as well - all in an effort to brace themselves for expected budget cuts.

When news that the Ivy League's 'Big Red,' Cornell University, had responded to financial difficulties with budget cuts of its own, we were again struck with the overwhelming realization that distressing times often result in defining movements. In the days to come, individuals, families and corporations will continue to restructure their daily lives according to the vitality of our nation and its economic prosperity. We have all been urged and invited to redefine the way we manage our assets, and to reclaim control of our financial health

Today, Americans are exercising their right to vote in one of the most focal Presidential elections of our time. Whomever the American people choose to elect into office will be responsible for leading our nation out of a global financial crisis with a renewed sense of establishment towards restored economic security.

As the election campaigns have shown, education is a common priority throughout our nation. Further education is preparing our future generation of leaders. The Refinishing Touch is proud to have had a hand in collaborating with universities and looks forward to work yet to come. We can't think of a better investment than one in our future.

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posted by TRT Blog on Tuesday, November 4, 2008 at 4:21 PM 0 Comments