A wave of green swept through the Rhode Island Hospitality Industry this Earth Day. Hotels, Restaurants and other hospitality related businesses from across the state gathered at the Rhode Island Convention Center for the Green Hospitality Certification Awards Program. A total of 32 businesses were the first to be recognized by the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management for completing all the certification requirements of the Green Hospitality Certification Program in what was likely the largest single day Green Certification in the U.S. Hospitality Industry.

 

Launched in January, the Rhode Island’s Green Hospitality Certification Program is certification program developed through a partnership with the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management, the Rhode Island Hospitality and Tourism Association, Rhode Island Division of Tourism, Providence Warwick CVB, Newport County CVB, Warwick Division of Tourism, Culture and Development, Rhode Island Airport Corporation, Rhode Island Convention Center Authority, Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation, the Procaccianti Group and Newport Harbor Corporation.

On Earth Day, members from Rhode Island’s hospitality industry gathered at the Rhode Island Convention Center to celebrate the Green Certification of 32 hotels, meeting venues, restaurants and other members of the industry. "The overwhelming response proves that going green is not only the right thing to do for our environment, but is good for the bottom line as more business and leisure travelers make buying decisions based a company’s environmental footprint," said Dale J. Venturini, President/CEO, Rhode Island Hospitality and Tourism, speaking the podium.

"I am extremely pleased to see so many Rhode Island businesses in the hospitality industry receive their Green Hospitality Certification," said Dale J. Venturini, President/CEO, Rhode Island Hospitality and Tourism. "The overwhelming response proves that going green is not only the right thing to do for our environment, but is good for the bottom line as more business and leisure travelers make buying decisions based a company’s environmental footprint."

 

To participate in the green certification program, businesses are required to complete a workbook created by Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management that measures business policies and practices. Upon completion of the workbook, DEM reviews and scores these businesses. Businesses that score above 100 on the assessment receive DEM Green certification. The new program has enabled hospitality and tourism businesses a standard by which to employ green business practices with a focus on energy conservation, water conservation, waste minimization and recycling, and sustainable operating and purchasing practices.

One certification recipient photo ofEric Handwerger (left), General Manager of Citron Wine Bar and Bistro and Tracy Rush (right), of Chow Fun Food Group, who both accepted Green Hospitality Certification Award for Citron from W. Michael Sullivan,(center), Director, Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management. (photograph by Kizirian Photography)

"The Green Hospitality Certification Program proves that through cooperation and collaboration employing sustainable green practices can be achieved," said W. Michael Sullivan, PhD, Director, Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management. "The partnership between DEM, RIHTA, the CVBs and tourism agencies, and private industry sets a new standard in working together to make long-lasting improvements to our environment. I commend and congratulate the businesses that earned Green Hospitality Certification, and encourage all industries in Rhode Island to seek ways to lessen their impact on the environment."

The Earth Day celebration of the Green First Annual Green Hospitality Certification Awards Program, also included vendors of green products and services, such as Newport Biodiesel, an alternative energy company.

 

The Rhode Island Hospitality & Tourism Industry members who are now certified GREEN include the following:

 

 

Lodging Facilities

Bay Voyage Interval Owner's Association

Hilton Garden Inn Providence/Warwick

Hilton Providence

Holiday Inn - South County/Newport

Hotel Viking

Hyatt Regency Newport Hotel & Spa

Inn on Long Wharf/Wyndham Properties

Inn on the Harbor/Wyndham Properties

Long Wharf Resort/Wyndham Properties

Newport Onshore/Wyndham Properties

Providence Marriott Downtown

Radisson Hotel Providence Harbor

Renaissance Providence Hotel

The Newport Harbor Hotel & Marina

The Hotel Providence

Vanderbilt Hall

Westin Providence

 

Restaurants

10 Prime Steak and Sushi

22 Bowen's Wine Bar & Grille

Boat House Waterfront Dining

Chinese Laundry

Citron Wine Bar and Bistro

Gregg's Restaurant

The Mooring Restaurant

Pranzi Catering

Rick's Roadhouse

Rue De L'Espoir

Ted's Montana Grill 

Eleven Forty Nine Restaurant

XO Steakhouse

 

Other

Newport Hospitality, Inc.

Rhode Island Convention Center