According to the WHO, it is estimated that 1.8 million children under the age of five die each year due to hygiene related illnesses such as acute respiratory infection and diarrheal disease.

MELBOURNE, Australia, Oct. 10, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Michael Matulick, chief executive officer of Concept Amenities, a global leader in the supply of environmentally responsible guest bath amenities, will appear as a guest speaker at two upcoming hospitality expos; the 3rd annual Australasian Hotel Industry Conference and Exposition (AHICE) to be held on October 17 at Swissotel Sydney and the 20th Global Eco Asia-Pacific Tourism Conference to be held October 15-17th in Cairns, Tropical North Queensland.

However, instead of promoting his company's innovative line of green luxury products, Matulick will use his address to focus on Soap Aid, a major humanitarian effort recently initiated by Concept Amenities.

"Around the world, 2.6 billion impoverished people lack adequate sanitation¹," explains Matulick. "It is estimated that 1.8 million children under the age of five die each year due to hygiene related illnesses such as acute respiratory infection and diarrheal disease², however, the simple act of hand washing with a bar of soap could potentially reduce the number of these cases by over 40 per cent³.

"Here is where the hospitality industry can make a significant difference," says Matulick. "Every day, thousands of hotels around the world discard millions of pieces of soap, which often ends up in already overflowing landfills and contaminates fragile groundwater systems. By collecting waste soap and reprocessing it, our industry can help make a significant contribution to two critical objectives – protecting the environment and potentially saving countless human lives."

More than 500 leading hoteliers, executives and suppliers are expected to attend this year's AHICE. Co-hosted by Hotel & Accommodation Management magazine and HM Online, the event will feature delegates, panelists and speakers from the Asia Pacific region covering a wide range of issues facing the hotel industry in Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific with a key emphasis on operations in Australia.

Topics for panel discussion will include procurement, government investment in hospitality, franchising, in-room technology, interior design and specifying, food and beverage, what owners want; AHICE Leader's Forum, and online intermediaries and social marketing. In addition, AHICE will showcase the products and services of exhibitors including Concept Amenities, at Stand #4.

For two decades, The Global Eco Asia-Pacific Tourism Conference has brought together leading players from around the globe to examine best practices involving sustainability, ecotourism, cultural and heritage tourism, tourism in protected areas and climate change response. It provides delegates with an opportunity to share ideas and debate critical new research and policy, emerging issues and opportunities influencing the industry.

At this year's conference, keynote speakers will provide the latest insights into challenges and opportunities facing the tourism industry. There will be plentiful opportunities for delegates to participate in various workshops that will enable attendees to further examine case studies, participate in more in-depth discussions on key conference topics, and acquire practical and tangible information to benefit their business and the industry as a whole.

"Soap Aid⁴ is a unique opportunity for Concept Amenities to remain true to its core values of promoting eco-consciousness and improving the quality of life on our planet," says Matulick. "With the help of others in our industry, we can save millions of lives together."

For more information on Soap Aid and how you can become involved, please visit www.soapaid.org. To learn more about AHICE 2012, visit http://www.ahice.com.au/Exhibitorlist.aspx. To learn more about the Global Eco Asia-Pacific Tourism Conference, visit http://www.globaleco.com.au/.

¹ Worldwatercouncil.org

² Who.int

³ Timesofindia.indiatimes.com

⁴ Soapaid.org

For more information visit conceptamenities.com or contact Steve Duggan Director Marketing & Communications s.duggan@conceptamenities.com 613 9580 9977 or Darleen DeLisle, VP Marketing & Communications, (954) 629.5593 d.delisle@conceptamenities.com

About Concept Amenities

Concept Amenities is a recognized world leader in the supply of guest amenities that deliver on quality, luxury, style and environmental solutions. We've built our business through understanding our client's business, their guests and their brand.

Far from being simply the purveyors of amenity products, we are intrinsically linked to the creation of memorable guest experiences. This mindset provides a clear focus for who we are and what we do best. While our goal is delivering the ultimate in sensory indulgences, we do this in a manner that is fully aligned with our values and the positive role we perceive we should be playing in the world in which we live.

In sync with the hospitality industry we are strongly conscious of the impact we have on the environment and the growing eco-consciousness of guests. Our environmental stewardship is a fundamental expression of our values. This is enhanced with ERP—the leading benchmark for Environmentally Responsible Products—which is biodegradable, and recyclable, with a care for the environment.
 

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