Millennium Hotels and Resorts New Zealand was represented at this year’s Aotearoa Hotel Industry Conference and Exhibition in Christchurch, where Sustainability Manager Danielle Kennedy took to the stage as both a keynote speaker and sustainability panel host.

Presenting alongside Richard Hayman from Scenic Hotel Group, Kennedy shared insights on behalf of the Hotel Council Aotearoa Sustainability Group, which she co-chairs. Their presentation explored key sustainability trends shaping New Zealand’s hotel industry and highlighted the importance of collaboration, knowledge-sharing and capability building across the sector.

From Regenerative Tourism to Climate Resilience

The presentation covered regenerative tourism, measuring environmental impacts such as carbon and waste, reducing resource use, building climate resilience, and responding to emerging sustainability challenges. It also highlighted the Sustainability Group’s work in connecting hotel sustainability leaders and supporting industry-wide progress.

Kennedy also hosted a panel discussion with hotel executives and industry experts, exploring how organisations can embed sustainability into business decision-making and everyday operations. As part of the discussion she shared examples of how Millennium Hotels and Resorts New Zealand is progressing sustainability, including measuring and reporting greenhouse gas emissions, maintaining Toitū certification, supporting Hotel Sustainability Champions, and publishing annual sustainability and climate reports.

Her participation reflects the commitment of Millennium Hotels and Resorts New Zealand to sustainability leadership and to helping build a more resilient and sustainable future for the country’s hotel industry.