Resiliency and our natural resources

Jim Murren, chairman and CEO of MGM Resorts International

Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2011 | 2 a.m.

In August, Brian Greenspun turns over his Where I Stand column to guest writers. Today’s columnist is Jim Murren, chairman and CEO of MGM Resorts International.

Last year I closed my comments in this column with a reflection of the previous year’s financial and economic challenges. I observed that while we may not be leading the nation in the economic recovery, we should lead it in resiliency — that is, the ability to readily adapt to a changing environment.

So it got my attention when the when the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Business Civic Leadership Center selected Las Vegas last month for its inaugural “R4 Conference” focusing on Revitalization, Reinvention, Resilience and Responsibility. The chamber challenged common thinking by bringing this conference to Las Vegas. How could a place that is perceived for its grandeur and opulence possibly and plausibly be a backdrop for such a conference?

The organizers rightly knew what those of us who have lived here for any time have come to expect and respect: careful stewardship of our environment and its scarce resources.

Las Vegas and Nevada are leading the way in finding innovative ways of husbanding resources with the objective of creating a sustainable environment that offers a high quality of life for those of us lucky to live in the “89” ZIP codes as well as the more than 30 million guests who visit us annually for recreation and/or networking in the pursuit of commerce and economic activity.

We are a living and thriving laboratory for resiliency, the core ingredient to sustainability, which is a means to meet current needs without compromising the needs of future generations.

At the chamber conference, representatives of businesses focused on practical ways to promote environmental innovation. Among their findings is that advancement comes from small and incremental improvements and innovations. Resiliency and sustainability are the seeds of innovation needed.

Further proof of this comes later this month when the fourth annual National Clean Energy Summit is hosted by Sen. Harry Reid at Aria. Special guests will include Vice President Joe Biden, Energy Secretary Steven Chu, Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus and Govs. Brian Sandoval, Jerry Brown and Christine Gregoire. They will put a spotlight on energy policy that can help the U.S. lead the way in the clean energy economy, again using as a backdrop Nevada’s vast renewable energy resources and the “can do” spirit that defines the Silver State.

A lot of good things are being done in the area to ensure that Las Vegas continues to be a sustainable travel destination that is able to provide a high quality of life for those who choose to live here. Later this month, my company will formally release our first environmental responsibility report. Among its themes is that sustainability — environmental responsibility — is everyone’s business. Like other businesses, we’re working to create a culture of sustainability and environmental responsibility among our 61,000 employees.

We have five areas in which we are focusing: energy and water; green building; waste and recycling; supply chain; and outreach and education to our employees, customers and guests. We’re a laboratory that is demonstrating every day that environmental responsibility and enhanced guest experiences in a world-class hospitality and entertainment environment go hand in hand.

Here’s what we’re finding: Sustainability can be and is an engine of organizational innovation and collaboration within the organization and supply chain. The resulting efficiencies are providing a competitive difference.

So by doing good, we can all do well.

We’ve been through some gloomy times, and brighter days are appearing and are on the horizon. Diversifying our state’s economy by stewarding and exploiting the resources we are blessed with for the common good is one path way to resilience and recovery.