WASHINGTON, D.C.—What do organizations representing building safety professionals, energy and lighting engineers, green building practitioners, architects and technical standards developers have in common? They have all come together to green the nation’s built environment by establishing a comprehensive model green building code designed to rapidly advance green building practice across the United States. The International Code Council (ICC), the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), and the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IES) just announced the launch of the International Green Construction Code (IGCC), representing the merger of two national efforts to develop adoptable and enforceable green building codes.

BEREA, KY.—Berea College announced that Historic Boone Tavern Hotel and Restaurant, a regional landmark owned and operated by the college, has been awarded LEED Gold certification by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), making it the first LEED certified hotel in Kentucky as well as the Appalachian region, and one of 21 LEED Gold or Platinum hotels in America. The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system was designed by USGBC to encourage and facilitate the development of more sustainable buildings and is the nation’s preeminent certification program for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings. Boone Tavern, built by Berea College in 1909 as a campus guest house, has for decades been known for traditional hospitality and fine dining. It is officially designated a historic property by two national organizations.

CUMMING, GA.—Xylem brings an exotic new air to the bath with the introduction of the BAMBU bath furniture collection. The new BAMBU bath vanity and mirror set is a complete redesign of an earlier model and a fresh new interpretation of nature-inspired design. The collection incorporates eco-renewable bamboo veneer and raw bamboo stalk accents.

SANTA MONICA, CALIF.—Convention center hotels in Denver are set to gain new competition when a new 403-room Embassy Suites hotel opens directly across from the Denver Convention Center in December 2010. Windsor Management Services, the hotel management arm of Windsor Capital Group headquartered in Santa Monica, Calif., has reached an agreement with developer, White/Peterman Properties, Inc. in Merrillville, Ind., to manage the new Denver hotel. The new Embassy Suites hotel development boasts 403 rooms and 17 function rooms, totaling 21,000 square feet of meeting and banquet space, and features unique design elements.

SANTA BARBARA, CALIF.—CMC Media Inc., publisher of the Green Building Journal and host of GreenBuildingPro.com, a social media community for green building professionals, has announced Green Building Expo 2010. The online conference and exposition, which will take place May 19 to 20, 2010, is available free to attendees anywhere Internet connectivity is available. According to Conservation International, online events can eliminate more than 300 tons of CO2 per 1000 attendees. Green Building Expo is a virtual conference and showcase with wide-ranging exhibits, conference sessions, panel discussions and keynote presentations by Jack Canfield, originator of the “Chicken Soup for the Soul” series and by the Organic Architect, Eric Corey Freed, author of “Green Building for Dummies” and “Sustainable School Architecture.” Because of its online nature, people, who would never be able to participate in such an event, can participate at their leisure from the comfort of their home or office.

FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA.—Valley Forge Fabrics announced it has donated 300 sets of sheets to the American Red Cross for Haitian earthquake survivors who are being treated for medical conditions in the South Florida area. Valley Forge learned from the American Red Cross that there was a tremendous need for certain supplies for injured and displaced Haitians who have been temporarily relocated to South Florida for medical treatment.

ANN ARBOR, MICH.—NSF International announced that its new draft standard for Commercial Furnishing Fabrics (NSF Draft Standard 336) is now open for public comment. The Commercial Furnishing Fabrics standard is one of eight sustainability standards and certification programs NSF International has developed. These standards provide manufacturers an independent, third-party means of demonstrating their commitment to the environment and avoiding accusations of greenwashing. NSF International has also developed standards and certification programs for sustainable carpet, flooring, business and institutional furniture (BIFMA e3), and green chemicals. NSF Draft Standard 336 for Commercial Furnishing Fabrics provides pathways toward sustainability by establishing measurable criteria for multiple levels of achievement and performance.

CHICAGO—Coalesse, a new premium live/work furnishings brand, has received the prestigious Designs for Dignity 2010 Sustainability Award. Coalesse is committed to environmentally-responsible design practices and materials and has several products that have earned SCS (Scientific Certification Systems) certification for indoor air quality protection.

VANCOUVER, B.C.—The Vancouver Convention Centre announced that its iconic West building, opened in April 2009, has been awarded LEED Platinum certification for new construction by the Canada Green Building Council. Platinum is the highest level of LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification. “The Vancouver Convention Centre is the only convention centre in the world to receive the highest level of LEED certification,” says Kevin Krueger, Minister of Tourism, Culture and the Arts. “Not only is the expanded Vancouver Convention Centre bringing economic benefits to the province and the tourism industry, but it’s a model of sustainability that will set a new standard.” Vancouver Convention Centre’s sustainable design features include a six-acre “living” roof, the largest living roof in Canada and the largest non-industrial living roof in North America.

BOSTON—Even with the economy in the tank, interest in green products is on the rise. The Greenbuild International Conference & Expo last November expected a drop in attendance, but sold out the trade show floor with a waiting list and exceeded attendee estimates by 12,000 people. With this continuing momentum and proliferation of green products on the market, it’s increasingly difficult to know what’s really green.