Casino Connection Atlantic City

Taking GREEN Seriously

How plants increase profits

by Richard Parker

Have you ever wondered where the plants come from that brighten up hotels, casinos, offices, even local florists? Why are they there? Why should my organization be spending money on them? What do they do for us? How can we reduce the cost of having them?

Why Plants?

These are all great questions. Let’s start out with why we need plants inside. In a major two-year study in Oslo, Norway (and countless others), researchers found an average 23 percent reduction in fatigue, headaches, sore/dry throats, coughs and dry facial skin when plants were placed in offices, versus having no plants. Additionally, there was a 14 percent drop in absenteeism.
    A study from Washington State University found that participants working in the presence of plants were 12 percent more productive and less stressed than without plants. NASA studies have found that rooms with indoor plants have up to 60 percent fewer airborne molds and bacteria. Plants give a positive image to a property, and scientific evidence proves that having plants in your home or work environment makes you and your customers healthy, both mentally and physically.

Plants in a Casino

Hotels and casinos are always planted with interior foliage. It’s not merely coincidence; it’s proven to be profitable. As a business, a casino’s atmosphere is one of the most important assets it has. Studies that surveyed the largest hotels, casinos and their patrons around the country all concluded that one of the reasons guests returned was because of the “beautiful green foliage.”
    Those same surveys found that people were more willing to pay extra when their rooms overlook heavily planted atriums. The business need for a greener building is met by higher customer satisfaction, and better customer retention.
    We can actually tell a client how many plants and what varieties they need in order to remove certain chemicals from the air. Carpets, glues, inks and various other commonly used materials can all emit chemicals that can be harmful under prolonged exposure. Plants naturally filter these toxins, and leave the air fresher, cleaner and healthier.

‘Caveat Emptor’
In other words, “Buyer beware.” Plants that seem very inexpensive may not have been hardened off to the proper environmental conditions they will encounter indoors. Buy from a professional!
    There is a paradigm between cost, quality and service as management and ownership changes. There is no question that the top properties insist on quality plantscaping and design. Those that have the ability to look at the big picture, and keep their goals set in the long run, know how important the image of the property matters to attract customers and generate reliable profitability. Those that become too concerned with costs and cutting back eventually feel the effect they were trying to avoid in the short term, later on.

Health Tips

How can you keep your own plants looking beautiful? Follow this basic guide and look for more articles in the future for tips.

1. Light. One of the most important parts of caring for your plant is making sure it gets enough light.

2. Water. The second most important thing that your plant needs is water. Most people over-water their plants. Be cautious.

3. Placement. Something to keep in mind when placing your plants is the environment in which they will live. Is the plant close to a heater? An air conditioner? A high traffic area?

4. Bugs. What can you do about the bugs that love your plants? Simple. Just pick up an insecticide spray at your local supermarket or florist. To ensure effectiveness, make sure to follow the directions.