Green Key to Present at Best Western's Convention and Global Conference: Leading "Green" Hotel Program is a Best Western Certification Partner

HORSHAM, PA, October 10, 2012 (Press-News.org) Green Key Global (Green Key), operator of the Green Key Eco-Rating Program, the leading green hotel certification program in the world, will present at Best Western's Annual Convention and Global Conference later this week in Las Vegas, Nev. Green Key is part of the "Green - A Winning Edge" session that will be held on October 10 and October 11 at the Venetian Hotel & Resort.

Green Key and Best Western have a long-standing involvement, dating back to the program's inception in Canada. Today, there are more than 190 Best Western properties that are Green Key members, each of which are recognized with an eco-friendly icon within the booking tools on the Best Western website.

"Green Key is a valued partner in our sustainability efforts," said Michael Morton, VP Member Services for Best Western International. "They have worked extensively with us to help make 'green' a competitive advantage for our hotels throughout North America. The proof is in the stories that our hotels tell about how Green Key has helped them run a more sustainable day-to-day operation."

Roxanna Lopez, who is a LEED Green Associate, will be presenting on behalf of Green Key. Lopez, Manager of Operations for the U.S., has spoken at a number of sustainable lodging industry events, most recently at the West Coast Green Lodging Conference in Lake Tahoe. The Best Western session will also feature a presentation from Brett Smith, Corporate Relations Manager for Clean the World.

"We're looking forward to participating at the upcoming Best Western conference," said Tony Pollard, Managing Director of Green Key Global. "Best Western is a valued proponent of the Green Key Program and this session enables us to both share and take away information on how the lodging industry is embracing and implementing sustainable initiatives on multiple levels."

With approximately 3,000 members, the Green Key Eco-Rating program is the most prominent certification program in the hotel industry. Members receive a ranking of 1-5 keys based on their responses to a comprehensive 160-question self assessment, as well as on-site inspections. In addition, members receive comprehensive performance reports, a membership plaque, access to exclusive member resources, listing on the http://www.greenkeyglobal.com website and exposure via Green Key's network of marketing partners, including AAA, Travelocity and Expedia. Green Key is also the preferred green certification partner of the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA).

The Green Key Eco-Rating Program is the first of its kind to rank, certify and inspect hotels and resorts in North America based on their commitment to sustainable "green" operations. The program was originally developed for the Hotel Association of Canada by a leading environmental engineering firm with funding from the Canadian Government. Designed specifically for hotel operations, the Green Key Eco-Rating Program is a comprehensive environmental audit that will allow each participating property to benefit on several fronts - cost savings, increased bookings from environmentally conscious consumers and meeting planners and responsible corporate citizenry. In the United States Green Key is a joint partnership between the Hotel Association of Canada and LRA Worldwide, Inc.; for more information, visit http://www.GreenKeyGlobal.com.