Attention hospitality professionals! Juggling the endless responsibilities of running a successful hotel business while trying to prioritize sustainability can feel like an impossible task. The Sustainable Hospitality Podcast is here to help you navigate this challenging landscape and make sustainability an achievable goal for your business.
Hosted by industry expert Kathy Sue McGuire, ISSP-SA, this weekly podcast features engaging interviews, actionable insights, and real-world success stories from the world of sustainable hospitality. Tune in every week to discover how you can balance profitability, guest satisfaction, attract talent and achieve environmental responsibility in your hospitality business.
We will break down the myths that sustainability is time consuming and costly. You will also learn about regulations, standards and frameworks to be on the lookout for.
Sustainability has a ROI and a true business case and we are here to tell you all about it. From the right certification for your hotel to telling your story without the fear of greenwashing we will give you the insights and confidence you need!
We are your sales and marketing teams new best friend in order to ensure your organization can win those RFP's.
Need to streamline, and understand ESG reporting? We have it all covered!
From sustainable procurement to IOT, we have all the information you need to adopt the iniatives and strategies required to not get left behind in this competitive and evolving market!
Whether you're a hotel owner, manager, or hospitality professional looking to implement eco-friendly practices, reduce your carbon footprint, and attract sustainably-conscious minded guests, the Sustainable Hospitality Podcast is your go-to resource for all things green hospitality.
Join us as we explore the latest trends, best practices, and innovative strategies for creating a more sustainable and successful future for the hospitality industry.
Attention hospitality professionals! Juggling the endless responsibilities of running a successful hotel business while trying to prioritize sustainability can feel like an impossible task. The Sustainable Hospitality Podcast is here to help you navigate this challenging landscape and make sustainability an achievable goal for your business.
Hosted by industry expert Kathy Sue McGuire, ISSP-SA, this weekly podcast features engaging interviews, actionable insights, and real-world success stories from the world of sustainable hospitality. Tune in every week to discover how you can balance profitability, guest satisfaction, attract talent and achieve environmental responsibility in your hospitality business.
We will break down the myths that sustainability is time consuming and costly. You will also learn about regulations, standards and frameworks to be on the lookout for.
Sustainability has a ROI and a true business case and we are here to tell you all about it. From the right certification for your hotel to telling your story without the fear of greenwashing we will give you the insights and confidence you need!
We are your sales and marketing teams new best friend in order to ensure your organization can win those RFP's.
Need to streamline, and understand ESG reporting? We have it all covered!
From sustainable procurement to IOT, we have all the information you need to adopt the iniatives and strategies required to not get left behind in this competitive and evolving market!
Whether you're a hotel owner, manager, or hospitality professional looking to implement eco-friendly practices, reduce your carbon footprint, and attract sustainably-conscious minded guests, the Sustainable Hospitality Podcast is your go-to resource for all things green hospitality.
Join us as we explore the latest trends, best practices, and innovative strategies for creating a more sustainable and successful future for the hospitality industry.
In this episode of The Sustainable Hospitality Podcast, host Kathy Sue McGuire sits down with Michael Gulich, Vice President of Sustainability at MGM Resorts International, for a masterclass on scaling sustainable operations across one of the largest hospitality portfolios in the world.From pioneering LEED certifications for 16 million square feet of development to building the world’s largest renewable energy project in hospitality, MGM Resorts has woven sustainability into the very fabric of its business model. Michael shares the milestones, mindsets, and metrics behind their success—including stories about solar farms, food waste transformation, and how Las Vegas Formula 1 helped spark an atmospheric water innovation.But what stands out most is Michael’s grounded reminder: all of this was built incrementally over 20 years—and every hotel, no matter the size, can start their journey today.⸻🎧 Episode Highlights✅ A 20-Year Journey in Sustainability
How MGM’s CityCenter project became a global LEED milestone
Why the company shifted from green buildings to full-scale operational sustainability
The 2030 goals driving reductions in energy, water, carbon, and waste🔋 Energy Innovation at Scale
Cutting energy use per square foot by nearly 25% across the portfolio
Completing one of the largest LED lighting retrofits in the U.S.
Building the world’s largest solar project in hospitality—providing up to 90% of daytime power
Adding 115MW of new capacity + battery storage to cover peak evening use🥘 From Food Waste to Community Impact
How the Feeding Forward program donates high-quality, unused banquet meals
Over 6 million meals donated since 2016 through partnerships with nonprofits like Three Square
Repurposing post-consumer and pre-consumer waste for composting and animal feed
Why MGM avoids guest-facing recycling bins—and what they do instead💧 Water Stewardship in the Desert
Saving 18+ billion gallons of water since 2007
Removing over 250,000 sq ft of turf to combat evaporative loss
Bellagio’s fountains and Cirque’s “O” show: how they reuse water innovatively
Launching a pioneering atmospheric water generator project with Las Vegas Grand Prix
🤝 The Power of Partnership & Collective Action
Inside the Formula 1 cooling tower project turning air into track-washing water
Enhancing water rebates for 55,000 employees through public-private collaboration
Encouraging staff to extend conservation practices to their homes📈 Making the Business Case for Sustainability
The 5 value dimensions MGM uses to evaluate projects:
Revenue Generation
Cost Avoidance
Risk Mitigation
Brand Enhancement
Community Benefit
Real examples of how sustainability wins clients and improves insurance terms
Tips for hotels of any size to get started—without feeling overwhelmed💡 Advice for Hoteliers
Start small, stay consistent, and build a track record
Leverage existing certifications and rebate programs
Don’t go it alone—build local partnerships and pilot new ideas
Document your journey and share your wins to inspire others⸻
🔗 Resources & Links• Learn more about MGM Resorts• Learn more about Michael Gulich• Discover Sustainable Hospitality Solutions• Visit our sponsor Foxfold⸻👤 About the GuestMichael Gulich, AIA, LEED AP, is the Vice President of Sustainability at MGM Resorts International, where he leads strategies to reduce environmental impact across the company’s global operations. With a background in architecture and green building, Michael oversees sustainability programs spanning energy, water, waste, climate, and disclosure—driving transparency and performance across all MGM Resorts properties.⸻🎧 Subscribe & Follow