Can sustainability and profit-maximization co-exist in the hotel industry?

Grant Behnke, Director at Rockbridge private equity real estate firm discuss his pioneering work in implementing environmental, social and governance (ESG) practices in the hotel sector. Grant shares his journey of establishing a baseline for ESG performance, producing Rockbridge's first-ever ESG report, and advocating for a full-time sustainability role within the company. He dives deep into the challenges and opportunities of driving sustainable initiatives across a portfolio of 75 hotels, while demonstrating how sustainability can drive financial returns through operational efficiencies, consumer demand, and talent attraction.

Episode in a glance

- What is ESG and what it means for the hotel industry
- The journey of implementing ESG at Rockbridge
- The Challenges and Successes of ESG
- Moving Forward: ESG Phase Two and Beyond
- Advocating for Sustainability: Tips for Hotel Goers

About Grant Behnke

Grant Behnke is the Director of Development & ESG at Rockbridge, a private equity real estate firm focused on the hotel industry. In this dual role, he oversees real estate development projects from feasibility to design, while also leading the company's environmental, social, and corporate governance strategy. With a lifelong passion for hospitality and a commitment to sustainability, Grant champions responsible practices across Rockbridge's hotel ventures through collaborative efforts between owners, operators, and brands.

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