LEED Certified UMUC Inn and Conference Center by Marriott Revamps its Energy Efficient Hotel Program

Adelphi, MD – March 16, 2008 - The UMUC Inn and Conference Center by Marriott (a Marriott managed property) was the first Conference Center and Hotel in North America to be granted Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification in October of 2005 for their energy efficient hotel green programs. In 2008, the importance of hotel recycling and UMUC Inn’s commitment to the environment will be further solidified. The LEED hotel has re-launched their recycling program and added a green composting initiative to their food and beverage practices.

“You cannot pick up a newspaper, magazine, or turn on the TV without seeing a company’s commitment to safer environmental practice. We have got to do the right thing in the meeting industry and we are proud to be doing our part”, said Mike McCarthy, General Manager. McCarthy believes organic living and energy efficient hotel programs will be commonplace in a few years and wishes to be in the forefront of these movements.

McCarthy engaged his staff in the hotel’s Green initiatives by hosting an all-associate rally to introduce Green practices and begin training for this culture-changing process with his team. Additional training has occurred since; focusing on hotel recycling and understanding the differences between trash, co-mingled recyclables and compostable food waste.

New containers and innovative signage were posted throughout the public areas, but the main communication and greening efforts have been focused on the “back of the house” area where associates are learning to separate hotel material into trash, food waste, or co-mingled recycling (paper, cardboard, glass, metal and plastic).

The Conference Center has also just finalized a contract with ENVIRELATION, LLC, an emerging leader in organics composting. On an average day, the hotel sends out 1,000 pounds of organic matter to be composted off-site.

“University of Maryland’s Inn and Conference Center’s LEED certification is a truly significant achievement in that it was the first hotel and hotel/conference center to become LEED certified,” said Rick Fedrizzi, president, CEO and founding chair, U.S. Green Building Council. This expansion of their recycling program further concretes their leader status within hotel and resort green building initiatives.

For more information about Green initiatives and the UMUC Inn and Conference Center in Adelphi, Maryland, visit the hotel’s web site at www.UMUCMarriott.com