Memphis, TENN, The City of San Diego has named Embassy Suites San Diego – La Jolla 2009 Recycler of the Year in the 17th Annual Waste Reduction and Recycling Awards sponsored by the City’s Environmental Services Department. This is the hotel’s first win of the prestigious award. The hotel was recognized for the significant strides they have made, thanks to the guidance of General Manager Michael McGilligan, who recently received the Embassy Suites General Manager of the Year award for outstanding leadership for 2008. Some of the 2009 Recycler of the Year recipients include Point Loma Nazarene University, San Diego International Airport, Sea World, and PETCO Park -San Diego Padres. The hotel received the award and congratulations from Mayor Jerry Sanders during a ceremony.
“Being able to make a difference in the world we live has become part of our daily business,” says McGilligan. “It’s about doing the big things and the small things as well to maximize our impact. This means a lot of involvement on behalf of our staff and we’ve seen great results because of their hard work. I want everyone to feel like the work they do feeds into a bigger picture – and that means the quality of our planet as well as the success of our hotel.”
Features of Embassy Suite’s Environmental Efforts
McGilligan hasn’t tackled this feat all on his own. The Embassy Suites team members have played a huge part and, paired with the efforts of sales administrator, Sheri Facer, have made many changes to the way hotels typically do business by making modifications in areas including: low flow showerheads and toilets in all suites; recycling all light bulbs, batteries, toner cartridges, wood pallets, packing materials, phone books, and all office equipment; installing energy efficient light bulbs; defaulting copiers to print double-sided; re-using room keys; phasing out Styrofoam at the complimentary breakfast; using recycled water for the grounds landscaping; re-using coat hangers from employee dry cleaning; and placing recycling bins next to all trash cans outside the hotel. Even recyclable/biodegradable bags are arranged in the suites so guests can recycle items like cans and newspapers from within their suite with little effort, allowing them to continue to make responsible choices for the environment while on the road.
During this process, McGilligan has made efforts that not only improved the Earth, but the lives of his team members as well. Bed linens, towels, and used furniture are not only donated to local charities, but are available for employees in need also. Leftover food from the complimentary breakfast and nightly reception are put in the employee break room to both minimize waste and feed employees. Above these other efforts, McGilligan has utilized the skills that were necessary to building an award-winning recycling program and has been able to ensure a higher employee retention, high guest satisfaction, and best practices that can be mirrored by other Embassy Suites hotels. By truly caring about the world around him and involving and educating his team members, McGilligan’s hotel is seeing great success, assuring continued group efforts in the future.
About Embassy Suites Hotels | Founded in 1984, Embassy Suites Hotels defines the upscale, all-suite segment and today has 200 hotels, with an additional 60 in the pipeline. With spacious two-room suites, engaging team members and an inviting atrium environment, guests are allowed to put their feet up and feel right at home. To learn more, visit
www.embassysuites.com.
About Hilton Hotels Corporation | Hilton Hotels Corporation is the leading global hospitality company, with more than 3,300 hotels and 550,000 rooms in 77 countries and more than 130,000 team members worldwide. The company owns, manages or franchises some of the best known and highly regarded hotel brands including Hilton®, Conrad® Hotels & Resorts, Doubletree®, Embassy Suites Hotels®, Hampton Inn®, Hampton Inn & Suites®, Hilton Garden Inn®, Hilton Grand Vacations™, Homewood Suites by Hilton®, the Waldorf Astoria™ and the Waldorf Astoria Collection™, as well as the recently launched Home2 Suites by Hilton™. The company also manages the world-class guest reward program Hilton HHonors®.For more information about the company, please visit
www.hiltonfamily.com.
The following trademarks are owned by Hilton Hospitality, Inc.: Hilton®, Doubletree®, Embassy Suites Hotels®, Hampton Inn®, Hampton Inn & Suites®, Hilton Garden Inn®, Hilton Grand Vacations Club® and Homewood Suites by Hilton®. Conrad® is owned by Conrad Hospitality, LLC.
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