Contract Decor International Joins Hospitality Sustainable Purchasing Consortium

Online, July 14, 2011 (Newswire.com) - Bethesda, MD., - Leaders in the recently launched Hospitality Sustainable Purchasing Consortium welcome its newest member, Contract Decor International, a source for high-quality, custom-manufactured window treatments and bedcovers.

The Hospitality Sustainable Purchasing Consortium, led by MindClick SGM™, is working collaboratively to develop an industry wide Hospitality Sustainable Purchasing Index (HSPI). HSPI will help hotel owners purchase products that both reduce their properties' environmental impact, and contribute to guest comfort, health and well-being.

"We recognize and fully support the Consortium's commitment to greening the hotel industry through purchasing. Working closely with designers, brands, purchasing firms and owners will help us determine the efforts we can make in sustainable design, production and installation, which will positively impact the guest experience and reduce our overall environmental impact," said Michael Handler, Chief Executive Officer of Contract Decor.

Contract Decor International joins founding Consortium members Marriott International, Audit Logistics, Benjamin West, Delta Faucet Company, Innvision, InterfaceFLOR, PE INTERNATIONAL Inc., RTKL, SERA Architects, and Valley Forge Fabrics.

"We are pleased that Contract Decor has joined the Consortium and applaud their leadership and contribution toward greening the hospitality industry. With their help, we can identify standards for the drapery category that meet our overall sustainability goals while still providing the highest level of quality and service for our properties, our franchisees, and our guests," said Dave Lippert, Vice President -- A&C Procurement of Marriott International.

HSPI, which is in the process of being shaped by the Consortium, is a measurement of supplier sustainability performance in the areas of corporate social responsibility, environmental and product sustainability. Initial product categories covered include furnishings, fixtures and equipment (FF&E), with efforts underway to expand into operating supplies and equipment (OS&E).

"With over hundreds of thousands of hotel rooms slated for renovation over the next several years, HSPI provides hotel owners a cost effective and efficient way of improving the sustainability of their properties. We look to industry leaders such as Contract Decor to help us furnish rooms with high quality window and bed treatments that also reduce our collective environmental footprint," said Alan Benjamin, President of Benjamin West.

About the Hospitality Sustainable Purchasing Consortium
Established in June 2011, the Consortium is comprised of a group of leaders in the hotel industry representing brands, hotel suppliers, architecture firms, purchasing companies, and sustainability experts. Led by MindClick SGM™, Consortium members are working collaboratively to provide the industry with a unified approach to greening the global supply chain. Beginning with Furniture, Fixutres and Equipment (FF&E), the Hospitality Sustainable Purchasing Index (HSPI) will set the standard for sustainable purchasing and create a repository of supplier performance in the areas of corporate social responsibility, product, and environmental sustainability. For more information visit www.hspiconsortium.com.

About Contract Decor International
Founded in 1994, Contract Decor International is the hospitality industry's source for high-quality, custom-manufactured window treatments and bedcovers. The company offers complete measuring, manufacturing, and installation services for draperies, sheers, top treatments, hardware, shades, blinds, bedspreads, dust ruffles, and endless accessories. For more information, visit www.contractdecor.com.

About MindClick SGM
MindClick SGM, a leading sustainability research and consulting firm, provides clients with performance measurement tools to develop, implement, improve and promote product and company sustainability. Serving clients ranging from global Fortune 1000 companies in consumer products, automotive, and hospitality, to family owned building products suppliers, to government municipalities, MindClick drives growth through sustainability. Headquartered in Los Angeles with offices in San Francisco and Seattle, MindClick combines a decade of experience in sustainability with 20+ years of research, product development and marketing expertise. The result is sustainability performance rating services that provide executive decision makers with the knowledge to maximize business success. For more information, visit www.mindclicksgm.com.