February 10th, 2012 by TRT Blog

As sustainability steadily moves from a trend to a necessity, we’ve begun to see all of our target industries—education, government, and hospitality—re-consider how things are done, not only to save money, but to attract customers as well. Previously underrated and essentially nonexistent, green MBA programs are finally gaining the respect and attention they deserve.

For most of these emerging green MBA programs, the courses combine traditional business with focus on sustainability and eco-friendly practices, including how finances come into play. Overall, green MBA programs teach students to combine real world business practices with a sustainable mindset. As the environment continues to be a critical, widely-discussed issue, it’s clear that the business world will need to adapt, and graduates with this new type of MBA will be at the forefront.

Babson College is a great example of how schools are integrating sustainability into its curriculum. Instead of simply offering courses related to sustainability, Babson students can choose an eco-friendly concentration. In other words, Babson treats sustainability as a focus, not an afterthought.

With the right education and determination, graduates can help shape the business world into a more eco-friendly and socially responsible place, which to us, sounds like something worth studying.

Babson College, eco-friendly, Green MBA, Sustainability

January 27th, 2012 by TRT Blog

When working with clients, there are several different ways
The Refinishing Touch helps transforms their properties and assets, across the education, hospitality and government industries. From armoire conversion to refurbishing, The Refinishing Touch transforms existing assets to like new condition while minimizing out-of-pocket costs.

One important aspect of The Refinishing Touch is upholstery. While it may seem like a small part of refinishing and refurbishing, reupholstery can make a big difference when updating existing furniture. Over time, fabrics often lose their luster or become outdated, but replacing furniture can be costly and time consuming. Reupholstery is a great, cost effective alternative to buying new while still updating and extending the life of your furniture.

Here at The Refinishing Touch, we help clients breathe new life into their furniture with reupholstering. We use our original, Touch Textiles, which offers a wide variety of patterns and colors, ensuring that clients across all sectors find exactly the fabric they’re looking for.

Touch Textiles offers a large selection of choices, and with the help of our in-house design team, clients are sure to achieve the look they want. The best way to understand how reupholstery can change the look of a piece and an entire room is to see for yourself. Take a look at how our Touch Textiles have helped clients achieve a new, updated look without the cost and hassle of buying new furniture.

Before & After:

Hilton Atlanta:

Pala Casino:

Windsor Court New Orleans:

Banquettes:

Boston Hyatt:

Headboards:

Boston Hyatt, fabrics, Hilton Atlanta, Pala Casino, reupholstery, Touch Textiles, upholstery, Windsor Court New Orleans

January 20th, 2012 by TRT Blog

Going green is no longer a novel idea on college campuses nationwide, it has become a necessity. One school, the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia, has plans to build eco-friendly housing for its students. In the works for the past three years, the college will replace popular housing in need of repair with eco-friendly dorms complete with cutting edge technology

Cost has persuaded the school to replace these facilities rather than renovate, as the project is expected to reduce energy consumption by 75%. While many fear losing the old structures because they a part of the college’s history, the new plans will certainly make history of their own.

The students in these seven cottages will enjoy state-of-the-art faculties; the school is calling them an eco-village. Each cottage will house nine students, each helping to reduce the schools’ carbon footprint. The cottages will include energy efficient amenities like washers and dryers, water conserving bathroom features, and each building will be repositioned to use solar power. In addition the entire eco-village will feature a solar plaza which will power the entire complex and a rain garden around the perimeter.

To read the college’s entire plan, read the article here.

carbon footprint, eco-friendly, energy consumption, energy efficient, renovate

December 27th, 2011 by TRT Blog

The Refinishing Touch works with businesses across multiple industries to achieve the same goal—reuse and repurpose what they already own. In our most recent Lodging Hospitality online article, we discuss how seemingly different industries can come together and share successful solutions to meet industry standards, maximize customer service and maintain commitments to sustainability.

By naming some of the overlooked similarities between the education, hospitality, and government industries, such as time pressures and budget constraints, it makes it clear that cross industry transparency and communication is more important than ever. 

In the article, we stress that by refinishing and refurbishing furniture and paying close attention to proper asset management, industries can benefit both economically and environmentally.

To read the entire article or to share your thoughts on the topic visit LHonline.com. To learn more about The Refinishing Touch visit www.therefinishingtouch.com.

article, communication, Lodging Hospitality, Mario Insenga, similarities, Sustainability

December 20th, 2011 by TRT Blog

Sustainability is the buzz word across college campuses these days. College students across the nation are making efforts to reduce the carbon footprints of their schools in various ways.

In a recent Collegiate Times article, Virginia Tech student Neetu Deo discussed the ways his school was making changes, particularly in their dining halls. For example Virginia Tech has eliminated trays from most dining locations, decreased water use, and minimized food waste. In 2009, the school began its “Farm and Fields” initiative that supplies the school with organic, locally grown food. VA Tech also maintains a garden at a local farm, supplying students with fresh produce and herbs.

Deo details the ways other university dining halls can become sustainable with little effort:

1.     Eliminate trays. Students will pick up less food without trays and therefore, waste less. Schools will also save money on the water previously used to wash trays.

2.     Limit Condiment and Napkin Use. Provide only what students need. Encourage them to pay close attention to how much they use to reduce waste.

3.     Promote Locally Grown Food. Locally grown food is eco-friendly, healthy, and supports local businesses.

4.     Opt for real silverware, cups, and plates (or biodegradable products). Styrofoam products can spend thousands of years in a landfill, use products that can be re-used or break down easily.

As a company devoted to providing environmentally friendly services, The Refinishing Touch applauds the efforts of colleges and universities looking to reduce their carbon footprints and provide students with more sustainable services and choices.

carboon footprint, Collegiate Times, dining halls, Neetu Deo, Sustainability, Universities, Virginia Tech

December 14th, 2011 by TRT Blog

The Refinishing Touch is pleased to announce its most recent article about the benefits of refurbishing and asset management has appeared in the newest edition of American School and University. The Refinishing Touch has worked with over twenty schools around the U.S., and many institutions have experienced the environmental and fiscal advantages of reusing furniture instead of buying new pieces.

Tight budgets and pressure to increase sustainability are two driving factors for schools when choosing between refinishing and buying new.  As assets under regular use begin to age, schools must weigh their options. When it comes time to replace those assets, it is important for schools to consider all of the option and to understand the many benefits of refurbishing and refinishing. 

Not only does refinishing save money, but it also saves the environment. The Refinishing Touch provides schools with a simple way to use what they already own, save money, and move towards the goal of sustainability. To read the entire article, go to the story or pick up the newest edition of AS&U on newsstands now.

American Schools and Universities, AS&U, asset management, budgets, refinishing, Sustainability

November 24th, 2011 by TRT Blog

As another year is quickly coming to a close, it’s nice to be able to look at all of the things we have to be thankful for. At The Refinishing Touch, we are thankful to our customers for their continued support and the wonderful experiences we’ve had with them at job sites across the country. It’s been great to see the continued commitment to sustainability and environmental efficiency from the education, hospitality and government industries.

Thanksgiving is a time for individuals, families, and companies alike to reflect on everything good that has happened in the past year, and although the difficult economy continues to weigh heavily on so many people, it’s still important to momentarily step away from that to enjoy good food and good company.

So, from The Refinishing Touch family to yours, we would like to wish you and your loved ones a safe, healthy and happy Thanksgiving.

environment, holiday, Sustainability, thanks, thanksgiving, The Refinishing Touch

November 4th, 2011 by TRT Blog

October was a busy month for us. Projects were on-going, but more than that, a lot of us here at The Refinishing Touch took on the title of ‘jet setters’ for the month. We attended five shows throughout October, each with its own unique group of attendees that we were able to interact and connect with.   From hospitality events to university presentations, October was an excellent month for networking and learning.

The month kicked off with the AUCHO/APPA show in Orlando, Florida where our president and founder, Mario Insenga, spoke to the crowd about the importance for universities to maintain and increase sustainability efforts in housing and student facilities. Many university decision makers were in attendance and it was certainly helpful to connect with so many in that field.

From there, it was a short cross-town trip to the Hampton GM Conference. To say the show was a blur would be an understatement. From the moment our booth was setup, we had a constant stream of attendees stopping by our booth to inquire about armoire modification. After all the travelling between the two shows, it was great to enjoy some of the amenities Hampton provided, such as free massages and a luau reception.

Three large shows closed out the month for us, and it all started with BITAC West in beautiful Palm Springs, California. The show was centered on renovations, something we know quite a bit about. Throughout the three day event our team met with existing and potential clients to discuss renovations. Designers who spoke at the show—to groups and with us personally—all saw the benefit to refurbishing as opposed to buying new. It’s always encouraging when a variety of people see the value in the work we’ve been doing for so long. The event was a major success and we’re looking forward to attending the BITAC Owners show in December.

After BITAC, we flew to Las Vegas to take part in the InterContinental Hotel Groups tradeshow. This was another successful event where we were able to speak with many hotel decision makers regarding how our services could benefit their properties. Because IHG such a large, well-known brand, it made sense there would be well-known entertainment acts. We weren’t disappointed to see Ellen DeGeneres, Sugarland and Greyson Chance, who all performed to close the show.

Finally, on the 31^st, we were in attendance at the Best Western Convention, back in Orlando. Much like the Hampton event we were at earlier in the month, we were beset with requests for information on our armoire modifications. We spoke with multiple people across the Best Western family, many who made the trip down from Canada. The show also gave us a good look into the backend of the Best Western supply chain and offered us the ability to have our services and products displayed for owners and GMs.

While the month was spent flying back and forth around the country, it was immensely rewarding. We connected with potential clients, learned more about how our existing clients operate and were able to help spread the message about the work we do. We couldn’t have asked for a better month and are looking forward to developing new projects from the connections we made along the way.

ACUHO, Best Western, BITAC, Events, IHG

November 1st, 2011 by TRT Blog

Clemson University recently announced the one million dollar award it received for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). The funds will create a center for further research and education headquartered at the University’s International Center for Automotive Research focused around ‘sustainable vehicle systems’.

By integrating graduate education and research, the center will aim to develop and design high energy-efficient and environmentally sustainable vehicle propulsion systems.

The chairman of Clemson’s automotive engineering department, Imtiaz Haque, noted that the program was designed to educate students on the importance of sustainability, energy use, emissions, manufacturing and cost.

The DOE Graduate Automotive Technology Education Centers of Excellence focuses on three areas of vehicle technology: propulsion, energy storage and lightweight materials.

As a furniture refinishing and refurbishing company with a focus on sustainability, we understand the importance of energy-efficiency across all platforms and industries. With our close work with universities and schools over the past couple decades, it’s clear that overall sustainability within schools is becoming increasingly important.

For information on decreasing your environmental impact and carbon footprint, visit our website take a look at our Carbon Footprint Calculator.

Clemson, funding, Sustainability, Universities

October 21st, 2011 by TRT Blog

It’s no secret that we take great pride in the work that we do. Through our visual blog post we were able to show the before and after images of the work we’ve done, which we hope gives a much better representation the dramatic changes that take place when we’re able to preserve a piece of furniture. It’s with the same dedication that we’re pleased to announce our newest initiative to better share the work we’re doing around the country, The Refinishing Touch’s Green Connect customer communication program.

Our new program aims to connect our clients across education, government and hospitality with peers across all industries and cross-industries. We’ll be utilizing aspects of social media such as onsite photos and videos of the projects, along with more traditional methods to highlight our clients’ experiences while working with The Refinishing Touch, such as case studies.

While the traditional press release serves a particular purpose, we knew there are more powerful ways to relay a message and display the cost savings and asset management of our services. It’ll be exciting to take advantage of this blog, our Twitter and other mediums to let our clients speak for themselves.

One of the more exciting aspects of this program will be our visual case study. Much like our visual blog post, our reformatted case studies will take a decidedly visual look at the work we do, since pictures more adequately express the renovations we do then words.. You could read about an armoire conversion, but would it be the same as actually seeing it? We don’t think so, which is why we’re thrilled to start this program.

Be sure to keep following our blog and checking our website for more information on the program. If you’d like to view the full press release announcing the program, click here.

clients, customer communications program, customers, green connect