Launched in 2025, ‘Beyond the Buzzwords’ is an IHG Hotels & Resorts initiative in the UK that supports practical, commercially viable sustainability outcomes at the hotel design and development stage. The programme brings together designers, suppliers and industry specialists to explore how informed specification choices can improve long-term performance, while maintaining a high level of guest experience.
Delivered through a series of in-person panel discussions, Beyond the Buzzwords focuses on the sustainability considerations of specific product categories such as window treatments and floorcoverings. Each discussion examines how material selection, installation, maintenance requirements and lifecycle considerations influence environmental impact, financial budgets and operational efficiency.
The initiative highlights the importance of early collaboration between designers and product specialists by encouraging clearer dialogue at the specification stage. By sharing practical insights, project teams can make informed decisions, reduce rework and minimise waste.
The series has also been recognised by Sleeper Magazine, reflecting wider industry interest in considered approaches to sustainability. Insights from Beyond the Buzzwords are shared across IHG’s design and development network, informing best practice and supporting more resilient hotel design through practical and achievable sustainability choices.