Travel Green Wisconsin: recognizes Hilton Madison Monona Terrace for dedication to environmental protection

MADISON, Wisc. (July 17, 2006)—After years of dedication to
environmental protection, the Hilton Madison Monona Terrace is the
latest Madison area tourism business to earn the Travel Green Wisconsin
certification.  The luxury hotel earned points for its efforts to
conserve water, utilization of energy-efficient appliances and
lighting, and purchasing locally grown and organic products among other
criteria.
          “We believe strongly in creating a healthy relationship with the
communities we serve and see these efforts as imperative to the future
of Madison and Wisconsin,” said Ranette Maurer, Director of Sales.
        The hotel and its adjoining restaurant, Capitol Chophouse, have long
been proponents of purchasing organic and locally produced food
products.  The Chophouse menu features locally grown produce purchased
at the farmers market, a wide selection of cheeses from Roth Kase
located in Monroe, and locally raised pork from Willow Creek Farms. 
Even the dessert menu features cheesecakes from the Wisconsin
Cheesecakery, a local business that utilizes Wisconsin dairy products
in all of its delectable creations.
        “Not only do the locally grown and produced ingredients help the
community, they are infinitely fresher and better tasting,” says Chef
Craig Summers, who is known to grow his own fresh herbs to season his
gourmet creations.
        But their dedication doesn’t stop in the kitchen.  The hotel seeks to
conserve water by encouraging long-term guests to reuse linens thus
minimizing the use of washing machines and dryers.  Finally, the hotel
has installed Energy Star light fixtures and computers, sensor lighting
and programmable thermostats to decrease energy usage in unoccupied
areas.
        Hilton Madison Monona Terrace voluntarily participated in this pilot
program developed by the Wisconsin Environmental Initiative and the
Wisconsin State Department of Tourism.  The program allows tourism
businesses to evaluate their operations, set goals, and take specific
actions toward environmental, social, and economic sustainability.
        Travel Green Wisconsin is designed to support the Wisconsin brand,
give the state and hospitality business participants a marketing edge,
promote smart business practices, reduce costs, educate travelers, and
protect the beauty and vitality of Wisconsin’s landscape.  More
information about the program is available at travelgreenwisconsin.com.
        The Hilton Madison Monona Terrace, owned and managed by Marcus
Corporation, opened in February 2001. The 14-story, 240-room hotel is
adjacent to the Monona Terrace Convention Center and offers meeting
facilities, luxurious rooms and suites, and a private concierge floor
designed to accommodate business travelers. The adjacent Capitol
Chophouse is an upscale, American-style restaurant located in the
historic former chancery building of the Catholic Diocese of Madison.
Their extensive wine list has earned them Wine Spectator’s “Award of
Excellence.”