Sustainable Florida: Harris Rosen

Florida Trend, Sep 2009

Among the major criteria for judging the Best Practice Award nominations is the ability to replicate the project. Clearly, every nominee, finalist and winner leads by example - and others can follow their lead. Occasionally, the judges come across an individual who stands above the rest - one not only committed to creating a more sustainable Florida, but one who has made a significant impact in Florida and beyond. It is why we created the Sustainable Florida Legacy Award - and it is why Sustainable Florida presented it to Harris Rosen.

Rosen's work embodies the three principles of sustainability: economic, environmental and social. As Florida's largest private hotelier, Rosen has built a financially successful venture without debt. At Rosen Shingle Creek, Rosen Centre and Rosen Plaza in Orlando (properties certified with the Florida Green Lodging Program's Two Palm designation) associates and guest have an opportunity to improve the environment through energy and water conservation. Energy conservation efforts save millions of kilowatt hours and thousands of dollars. Water conservation efforts saved $170,000 in one year alone. Even cooking oil is made into bio-diesel as fuel for golf cart maintenance equipment.

But it is his personal investment in the people who work for him and live in the communities where Rosen does business that sets him apart. His groundbreaking program provides hotel associates with primary healthcare at no charge. He has made millions in charitable donations, including a standing offer to pay the tuition, room and board for all students from Tangelo Park who qualify for college.

Harris Rosen clearly has done well by doing good and has ensured a legacy in helping to create a Sustainable Florida.

Put Our Standards Where Your Mouth Is

Successful organizations today will succeed in the new economy when they are best able to balance their environmental impact with their corporate social responsibility - while turning a profit. Another way to capture the elements of the triple bottom is to refer to People, Planet, Prosperity.

Sustainable Florida Standards can help you differentiate yourself from the pack while publicly stating your commitment to Florida's future. Only 15% of CEOs surveyed by FLORIDA VEND magazine in mid-2008 reported that their companies publish any type of sustainability report.

Implementing these standards in your business or organization is an important step you can take that will create a brighter future for us and for generations to come.

Visit the website and pledge today to adopt the Sustainable Florida Standards. Make the pledge at www.SustainableFlorida.org.

State Your Values - Identify your principles and goals in a public statement. Establish an environmental ethic with criteria by which investors and others can assess the environmental performance of companies.

Be Involved - Make a commitment to citizen involvement, collaborative approaches and community partnerships.

Promote Stewardship - Be a leader on environmental quality and resource conservation.

Meet People's Needs - Promote opportunity, equity and improved quality of life.

Manage for Sustainability - Adopt best management practices, systems and new technologies.

Generate a Fair Return - Sustain your program through productivity and efficiency.