Monday, August 12, 2024 Green Key Global, the sole sustainability certification tailored specifically for the hotel industry, has announced the appointment of its inaugural board of directors. Heather McCrory, a seasoned hospitality professional with 40 years of experience, has been named as chair. McCrory previously held the role of CEO for Accor’s operations across North and Central America and now serves as principal of Heather J.
McCrory & Associates, where she provides advisory services to the hospitality sector. She will be working alongside other distinguished leaders in hospitality to steer Green Key Global, the premier hotel sustainability certification program, which is jointly managed by the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) and the Hotel Association of Canada (HAC). The newly appointed board members of Green Key Global include: AHLA and HAC took over the joint operation of Green Key Global in April, and since then, many leading hospitality companies in the U.
S. have enrolled in the program, which offers independent certification for hotels’ environmental sustainability practices. As of May, Green Key Global is on course to achieve notable year-over-year membership growth.
New participants for 2024 include Marriott International, Choice Hotels, and Four Seasons, adding to a roster of established members such as Accor, Best Western, Crescent Hotels & Resorts, Highgate, Hyatt, and IHG Hotels & Resorts. “I’m delighted to chair Green Key Global’s first-ever board and serve with some of hospitality’s most accomplished sustainability leaders,” said McCrory. “Together, we will continue expanding the world’s only sustainability certification designed specifically for hotels throughout North America.
” “Green Key Global offers a trusted certification that assures guests and partners of their commitment to sustainability. With Heather’s multiple decades of industry expertise and the collective experience of the board, we will be able to further evolve the program and support the industry. We are excited and welcome Heather and the entire board of directors to the Green Key Global family,” said Anick Levesque, Managing Director, Green Key Global.
“We are thrilled to welcome Heather and this esteemed group of leaders to the Green Key Global board of directors,” said AHLA Interim President & CEO Kevin Carey . “Their experience and counsel will be vital as we bring Green Key Global’s important third-party sustainability validation to hotels in the U.S.
and Canada.” “We are delighted to see the formation of Green Key Global’s inaugural Board of Directors, an essential milestone in our journey towards a more sustainable hospitality industry. This Board will continue to drive Green Key Global’s mission to empower hotels with trusted certification, achieve their sustainable development goals and meet the growing demand for responsible travel options,” said Claude Paul Boivin, Interim President & CEO, Hotel Association of Canada.
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