SUPPLYLINE
FOOD & HOTELASIA EXPANDS IN 2018
Hilton launched a pilot program at its Newark Airport property to recycle old guestroom TVs .
LG , HILTON partner to recycle TVs
With the dual goals of responsibly disposing of older hotel TVs while upgrading to new energy-efficient models , LG Electronics partnered with Hilton Hotels and Global Sustainability Solutions ( GSS ), a business that transports and recycles old TV sets while installing new ones , to create a corporate-wide recycling program by offsetting Hilton ’ s recycling costs .
Hilton kicked off its nationwide program by launching a pilot program at its Newark Airport property in Elizabeth , New Jersey . Working with LG and GSS , Hilton recycled nearly 400 older flatpanel TVs , replacing each set with an Energy Star-certified LG flatscreen TV . The project was completed in four days , two days ahead of schedule . LG and Hilton plan to extend the program in 2018 .
MAIDBOT PARTNERS WITH BISSELL
Maidbot received a strategic investment from Bissell Inc . that will allow the company to continue its growth by expanding sales and marketing efforts , building out engineering capabilities and accelerating Maidbot ’ s transition to mass production . Maidbot is the robotics company behind Rosie , a housekeeping robot and indoor mobile data platform for hotels and commercial buildings .
“ The value of Maidbot ’ s product offering goes well beyond the functional benefits of utilizing a robotic vacuum to assist with housekeeping operations ,” said Ryan McLean , senior vice president , Bissell . “ Their robots serve as mobile data platforms that generate a myriad of information on the building environment and operations that enables hotel operators to improve both the housekeeping and customer experiences .”
Now in its 40th year , Food & HotelAsia ( FHA ), a conference for Asia ’ s food and hospitality industries , will occupy 23 % more space with a 25 % increase in exhibitor space . The 2018 show , to be held from April 24 to 27 at Singapore Expo and Suntec Singapore , plans to host 4,000 international exhibitors from more than 70 countries and regions , an increase of more than 800 exhibitors over the previous show .
Beyond traditional sourcing and networking , FHA offers learning opportunities through improved specialty zones and competitions , according to show organizers . The FHA Culinary Challenge showcases culinary talent from the region while the FHA2018 International Conference features industry experts sharing perspectives and strategies across 10 tracks , including hotel revenue management and central kitchen technology .
HOSTMILANO GETS POSITIVE FEEDBACK
Organizers of HostMilano , the hospitality exhibition held in October 2017 in Milan , Italy , released attendance numbers showing growth . Professional visitors were up more than 24 % from 2015 show numbers , with 39 % hailing from overseas . The areas that showed the most attendance growth included Europe , China , the U . S ., Russian-speaking countries and the Middle East . More than 20 countries sent attendees to the show for the first time , including Christmas Island , Mariana Islands , Nepal , Rwanda , Zambia and Zimbabwe .
Chefs and other food industry professionals attended the show in abundance , perhaps because of the more than 500 scheduled events on topics including sustainability , the role of young workers in the hospitality industry , cooking demonstrations and more . The next edition of HostMilano will be held at Fiera Milano in Milan , Italy from October 18 to 22 , 2019 .
54 hotelsmag . com March 2018