Coming Soon: Registration info for the 2011 Midwest Energy Solutions Conference, January 11-13, 2011, InterContinental Chicago

HOUSING

MEEA has negotiated a special rate for you at the conference venue, the Chicago InterContinental.

Please click here to make your reservation online or call 800-235-4670 and mention you are with MEEA.

Did you hear about our venue? Current examples of InterContinental Chicago's commitment in action:

Recycling

• Hotel has a recycling program for hotel waste (recycling paper, plastic, aluminum cans, cardboard and grease). Trash is sorted at the hotel loading dock and again at our material recycling facility vendor.
• Paper Recycling program initiated with separation of recyclable paper in all offices
• Hotel has a battery and light bulb recycling program (also available for employee personal use)

Energy and Resource Management

• Hotel purchases 'Green Sustainable Energy Credits' for 50% of the energy it utilizes annually.
• Hotel has installed a system with automated motion detection to conserve energy from lighting and HVAC when guest rooms are not occupied.
• Energy efficient light bulbs have been installed where possible throughout the hotel.
• Hotel has a towel and sheet re-use program, changing every three days unless requested otherwise by guest.
• Toilet 'Tummies' have been installed in all Historic Tower guest rooms to reduce the amount of water utilized when toilet is flushed.
• Aerators have been installed in all guest room sinks with expectation of reducing water use by 50%.

Waste Minimization

• Housekeeping staff leaves partially used amenity bottles in guest rooms (new ones provided but partially used ones not removed).
• Hotel uses glass and china (non-disposable) serving ware with the exception of 'To-Go' orders for food service. Hotel is currently sourcing vendors and obtaining bids for recyclable 'To-Go' containers and has committed to replace all food and beverage 'To-Go' serving containers with recyclable materials by November 2007.
• Hotel uses cloth napkins wherever possible and is sourcing napkins made with recyclable paper for bar and 'To-Go' service.
• Hotel donates appropriate table scraps and leftover food to local farms or composting sites.
• Coreless toilet paper rolls introduced to reduce cardboard waste

Environmentally responsible purchasing

• Hotel is sourcing cleaning products that do not introduce toxins into the air or water with commitment to replace existing products that are harmful by November 2007.
• Hotel does not use VOC paints

Education and Community

• Introduced 'Green Weddings' and 'Green Meetings' options for event planners
• Bicycle rental and tours of Chicago neighborhoods made available to guests
• Organic wine available in ENO
• Culinary team purchases local produce and meats, organic where possible
• Seeds distributed for planting to more than 300 employees
• Green Resource Employee Action Team (GREAT) established
• Green Newsletter launched

Future Projects:

• Newspaper recycling containers will be placed on each floor and/or separation containers placed on our maid carts to improve newspaper recycling in the hotel
• Increase our purchase of 'Green Sustainable Energy Credits' to 100% of energy utilized
• Create a Green roof on the historic tower
• Install solar thermal panels to heat hotel water (one of the greatest sources of energy use for hotels)
• Purchase and install advanced lighting controls from Lutron
• Achieve Energy Star rating for hotel
• Director of Engineering will achieve LEED certification
• Introduce recycling bins in lobby and public areas for guest use
• Identify options for non-toxic dry cleaning
• Develop and introduce a new 'Green Room' guest room concept that is allergen free, reduces waste and supports a sustained environment.
• Guest 'Green' communication brochure will be developed with 'Green Travel Tips'
• Provide secure bike storage area for our employees