More than 80 establishments and all Tennessee Welcome Centers have been Certified.
Please click on the link below to see a list of those certified.
Tennessee Green Hospitality Overview
TN Green Hospitality is a program to promote and support our vision as a more sustainable state and to give assurance to our guests that we are actively improving our programs for sustainability. Guests will know that certified facilities have achieved a significant level of sustainability in their businesses and continuing to improve. 

The program provides guidance and resources that will greatly reduce our impact on the environment by using techniques that have been proven to reduce waste and in many circumstances, to save money.

We feel privileged to live and work in a state that is uniquely endowed with true natural beauty and we recognize our duty to protect it! Tennessee Green Hospitality  is  provided by Skye Con  in cooperation with The Tennessee Hospitality and Tourism Association to promote and support our vision as a more sustainable state and to give assurance to our guests and our communities that we are actively improving our programs for sustainability. Guests will know that certified facilities have achieved a significant level of sustainability in their businesses and are continuing to improve.

Why is Certification Important?
The Tennessee Green Hospitality Program certification can have positive impacts on your business in many ways. You can see savings in energy, labor, and cleaning product costs-depending on your level of participation. Experience revenue gains as meeting and event planners from across the globe seek certified green establishments when considering locations to book group business; this certification alone typically satisfies questions in RFP/RFQ's about a property's environmental commitment.
Additionally, the traveling public is becoming increasingly skeptical of unsubstantiated claims of "sustainability". This program provides assurance that participating facilities have taken and are continuing to take important steps to improve their environmental footprint.

What is Covered?
100% of Participants Have Undergone an In-depth, On-site Audit, and must be Periodically Re-Certified.There are six Core activities that must be in place for certification with additional core activities that can also be included in the audit. Most of the additional activities are expansions of the Core Activities and can be used to promote a facility's sustainability success once certified.

All participants have programs and systems in place to:
  •       Minimize Energy Consumption
  •       Minimize Waste
  •       Minimize Material Consumption
  •       Continue Environmental Improvements

How Credible is the Program?
The program was developed with encouragement from and in consultation with the Tennessee Department of Tourism Development. In addition to the assurance provided by an independent third party auditor, the program won a Tennessee Governor's Award in 2010 and is recognized by AAA for its ECO Logo program.

How Expensive is the Program?
There is no charge for the certification itself. There is a very modest fee for the on-site audit; see last page of the applications linked below for rate information. Included in the audit fee is whatever guidance and counseling is needed to help understand how to meet the guidelines. **In many cases, capitol expenditure improvements/upgrades (if any)can be submitted with a reasonable plan & time frame for completion so that you may still be certified in the interim.
Here's What Some Have Said:
"Working with Dobbin Callahan on the TnGreen Hospitality program was an awesome experience. I understand folks shying away because of being intimidated, but I promise it is quite the opposite. The core requirements for the program are quite attainable and many are likely things you are doing anyway. We have found that the Core requirements are also sound business practices." 
- Mike Shuford, Chattanooga Convention Center
TWO WAYS TO APPLY
Click on the button to the right for the appropriate application. If asked, select "open"
  1. You can now print, fill out the form, scan and email to dobbincallahan@gmail.com
    OR
  2. To use a fillable form:
    Click the "VIEW" dropdown button.
    Select "EDIT"
You may now fill out the form, save it to as a new file, and email to dobbincallahan@gmail.com. Note that as soon as you select edit, the cursor will be in the first field (name). Just start typing, or move the cursor with your mouse.
"Getting the Certification has helped us greatly with customer satisfaction. More people than I could have imagined have commented on the fact that we recycle. It has been a boost to customer loyalty as well." 
- Vincent Andreula, Hampton Inn & Suites, Knoxville/Turkey Creek
SELECT YOUR APPLICATION
TN Green Lodging Application & Rates (303kb)
TN Green Restaurant Applications & Rates (195kb)
TN Green Associate Application & Rates (200kb)
Additional Green Resources
GreenLodgingNews.com is the lodging industry's leading environmental news source. This useful site focuses solely on environment-related issues that impact profitability.

Find everything you need to know about "greening" your property at the American Hotel and Lodging Association's Green Resource Center, from best practices to eco-friendly vendors to strategies that are better for the environment and your bottom line.

LEED Building Fact Sheet
Click the link below for more information about the U.S. Green Building Council's standards for environment-friendly building.
LEED Building Facts