On 3 October 2015, the Green Key national operator from Puerto Rico, Ms. Maria Elena Garcia, and Mr. Eddie Ramirez, owner of a Green Key B&B in Old San Juan Puerto Rico, represented Green Key at the first Caribbean Hospitality Industry Exchange Forum (CHIEF).
The title of the panel discussion was "Is there a return on investment (ROI) on being environmentally certified?" The panel was moderated by the experienced Ms. Nancy Loman Scanlon PhD CHE, who is the Associate Professor of the School of Hospitality and Tourism Management of the Florida International University Biscayne Bay Campus and is as well the Co-Chair of the American Hotel & Lodging Association Sustainability Committee. The panel also had the participation of Mr. Ewald K. Biemans, who is the owner & CEO of the Bucuti & Tara Beach Resorts in Eagle Beach, Aruba.
The panel discussion had a great turn out of participants from many different island nations of the smaller antilles of the Caribbean like St. Lucia, Martinique, St. Marteen, Aruba, and of course many participants from the host country, Puerto Rico.
Mr. Ramirez and Mr. Biemans were able to present the green practices and initiatives, which they have incorporated in their respective accommodations and the approximate time span until they began to appreciate a return on their investment. Ms. Garcia concentrated her presentation on the participants questions about the process it entails to be a Green Key accommodation and the registration costs of this eco label certification. The panel was able to present a clear and accurate picture of the ROI in being a environmentally certified accommodation.