Milwaukee, Wis., December 27, 2012. . . . .Marcus® Hotels & Resorts, a division of The Marcus Corporation (NYSE: MCS), today announced the Sheraton Madison Hotel, located in Madison, Wis., has been accepted into Sustain Dane’s 2013 MPower Business ChaMpion Program. The one-year program, administered by Sustain Dane, a local non-profit organization committed to creating energy saving solutions for home, school, business and municipalities in Dane County, ensures businesses are going green effectively and efficiently. The Sheraton Madison Hotel is managed by Marcus Hotels & Resorts.
“It is an honor to be selected into the MPower Business ChaMpion Program. This acceptance signifies our strength in green lodging and meetings, and our commitment to our guests and the community. Our brand, company and associates have a great appreciation for our planet, its future and protecting it for generations to come. In choosing to stay at our hotel, our guests will be fully comforted by the fact that the Sheraton Madison is going above and beyond in its efforts to be completely sustainable,” said Brian Johnson, general manager of the Sheraton Madison.
As part of the MPower program, the Sheraton Madison will join a community of like-minded businesses dedicated to reducing their energy, water and transportation consumption. The hotel will establish sustainability goals and develop an MPower Team, attend routine meetings with Sustain Dane staff and participate in regular lunch and learn meetings, select at least five projects for implementation by March 2014 and meet with program representatives. The hotel will share its results and successes, as well as the sustainable impact made on its business and guests, at the end of the program.
“Sustain Dane’s MPower Business ChaMpion Program provides businesses with the proper tools for successful sustainability,” said Jessie Learner, director of sustainable business for Sustain Dane. “Our approach centers on one-on-one support, measurement, local and national resources, transparency and accountability. This program brings together businesses that are excited to learn from one another and understand that sustainability needs to be included in their strategic plans to remain competitive.”
Completion of the one year program will also help the Sheraton Madison meet Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide “30/20 by 20” initiative to reduce energy usage by 30 percent and water usage by 20 percent, by 2020. This overarching goal, along with the hotel’s Energy/Resource Conservation and MPower teams, are expected to lead to a significant increase in energy savings.
In the past six months, the hotel has embarked on multiple sustainability initiatives.
“This summer, we replaced all guest hallway lights with compact florescent lights and started converting all guest room sinks with low flow aerators, resulting in a large reduction in water usage. In addition, we are working with several vendors to retrofit all of our exterior lighting to be more energy efficient,” said Andrew Myer, chief engineer and leader of the Sheraton Madison’s Energy/Resource Conservation and MPower team.
“In addition to making our own physical modifications, we are turning to our energy-conscious guests to help us reach our goals. This fall, we entered into phase two of the Sheraton ‘Make a Green Choice’ program. This program gives guests staying two nights the option to receive points or a discount by making a choice to forgo having their room cleaned during their stay. Our goal is to have 50 to 60 percent of eligible guests (two nights or more) take part in this important program,” said Myer.
Myer added that several other projects are currently underway, including plans to save energy for the hotel’s in-house laundry service and a proposal to equip all meeting spaces with LED light bulbs. Should they pass, energy savings associated with both of these projects would be significant, further cementing the Sheraton Madison’s presence as one of the most sustainable hotels in the area.
The hotel’s status as an MPower Partner, along with recent renovations to common areas and guest rooms, make the Sheraton Madison the ideal place to hold a meeting or event. With over 17,000 square-feet of meeting space, and located near the Monona Terrace, Alliant Energy Center and Dane County Airport, the hotel is a convenient location for energy-conscious business and leisure travelers alike. Visit www.sheratonmadison.com to learn more about the Sheraton Madison’s location and accommodations.
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About Sustain Dane
Sustain Dane is a non-profit organization based in Madison, Wisconsin, committed to creating a community that deeply enjoys, cares for and is sustained by its unique environment. Sustain Dane works toward this vision by staying in touch with what is happening locally and globally, identifying opportunities, building networks and relationships and acting as a catalyst for big ideas and partnerships in our region. To learn more about Sustain Dane, visit www.sustaindane.org. If you are interested in learning more about the MPower Business ChaMpion Program, please visit: www.mpoweringmadison.com.
About Marcus Hotels & Resorts
Marcus Hotels & Resorts, a division of The Marcus Corporation (NYSE: MCS), owns and/or manages 20 hotels, resorts and other properties in 11 states. A force in the hospitality industry, Marcus Hotels & Resorts provides expertise in management, development and historic renovations. The company’s portfolio includes a wide variety of properties including city-center meeting hotels, upscale resorts and branded first-class hotels. For more information on the latest news and updates, please visit: https://www.marcushotels.com/ and follow the company on Facebook and Twitter (@MarcusHotels).