NEWH - Winter 2021 - 52

SUSTAINABILITY | POINT OF VIEW
NEWH Explores Environmentally Driven
Strategies and Materials
Green Voice learning initiatives return live and in person at BDNY 2021
NEWH presents Green Voice education and Green Voice Design Competition
Awards on Sunday, November 14th, at the Javits Center New York in
partnership with the BDNY trade fair. Rachel Berman Berkin, sustainability
program manager, Mecho, and NEWH Green Voice chair, talks healthy
materials in session one with Amelia Funk, sustainability analyst at HLW International. During session two,
NEWH explores Circular Design Strategies in Hospitality with Bergen Hubert, manager, built environment,
Americas for the Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute.
Amelia Funk
Health in Hospitality: Resources for Healthy Material Selection | Sunday, November 14th, 2021,
11am | BDNY
As a society, we have never had greater awareness and appreciation for our health. As people continue to
spend over 90 percent of their time indoors, we are more aware of the correlation and impact of building
materials on our wellbeing. In this session, participants will learn why healthy materials are essential and what
resources are available to help design professionals select optimal products for their projects.
Circular Design Strategies in Hospitality | Sunday, November 14th, 2021, Noon | BDNY
NEWH will explore strategies to reduce the carbon and material footprints of the hotel room by incorporating
circular principles such as designing for flexibility, upgrades, and maintenance. The Cradle to Cradle Products
Innovation Institute will also review how their Circularity Data Report can be an important tool to track
materials, aid in resource recovery, and reduce waste between renovation cycles.
Bergen Hubert
Rachel Berman
Meet the NEWH Green Voice Chair
Rachel Berman Berkin, sustainability program manager, Mecho, and Green Voice chair, NEWH
Starting with BDNY this fall in New York, and a return to in-person events, you have an opportunity
to lead NEWH on Green Voice education. What's your vision?
My vision specifically for Green Voice is to integrate sustainability content into all NEWH sessions instead
of them only being standalone events. I am optimistic that by creating a Green Voice lens we will be able
to create even more awareness around the importance of sustainable strategies in hospitality. I also hope
to continue a hybrid model for Green Voice education-I strongly believe that the proliferation of virtual
education has enabled greater access to content for those who may not have the resources or time to travel
for an education session.
You are in a position to innovate and make a diff erence at NEWH and as a leader in your own
company. Tell us about that commitment.
As Mecho's sustainability program manager, I have had the opportunity to grow our organization's impact
both internally and as a partner with our clients. Mecho continues to challenge itself by pursuing stringent
certifications and developing innovative products. At NEWH, I hope we can work together with local chapters
to grow Green Voice content to spread awareness and best practices for the hospitality industry. ❙❘❚
For more information on NEWH Green Voice, visit newh.org/education
CON T RAC T
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http://www.newh.org/education http://www.newh.org

NEWH - Winter 2021

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