Energy Surcharges Heat Up

Yes, hoteliers, meeting planners do feel your pain. While energy costs skyrocket, your guest rooms are filled with TVs blaring, laptops tapping, and air conditioners humming — all sucking juice like a kid with a straw and Kool-Aid. In fact, some hotels are experiencing up to an 80 percent increase in energy costs, according to Kathy Shepard, vice president, corporate communications with Hilton Hotels Corp. in Beverly Hills, Calif. That hurts.