TROY, N.Y.—Audubon International—the environmentally focused nonprofit organization offering members numerous certifications and conservation initiatives to protect the areas where we all live, work, and play—announced that longtime hospitality industry executive Greg Poirier has joined the leadership team as Director of Green Lodging/Green Hospitality Certifications. “Greg is the perfect person to lead our Green Lodging and Green Hospitality sectors into a new era of expansion,” said Audubon International CEO Christine Kane. “The time is now to leverage the hospitality industry’s strong interest in stewardship practices into partnerships that will further cement these vetted, respected, third-party certification programs as industry standards. Greg’s...

BARBADOS—Adam Stewart, Executive Chairman of Sandals Resorts International, will keynote the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s Sustainable Tourism Conference, which will take place in St. George’s, Grenada, from April 22 to 24, 2024. The pivotal conference, produced in partnership with the Grenada Tourism Authority, will explore the 5 Ps—People, Planet, Prosperity, Purpose, and Partnership—with the aim of catalyzing transformative action towards a more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable future for Caribbean tourism. An industry pioneer and staunch advocate for sustainable tourism, Adam Stewart brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in sustainable development, community-focused tourism, and responsible tourism practices to the conference. As...

DALLAS—Fairmont Dallas welcomes “Bondi” as Chief Happiness Officer of the iconic Dallas Arts District hotel. Bondi, a six-month-old puppy, adopted from DFW-based Operation Kindness, will serve as the hotel’s canine ambassador promoting positivity and happiness among colleagues and guests. As a pet-friendly hotel with experience hosting dogs and cats of all shapes and sizes, Fairmont Dallas is eager to add a pup of its own to the esteemed staff. Due to her diligent work welcoming guests in the hotel’s lobby, making fast friends with Dallasites walking through the 118-acre Dallas Arts District, and providing stress relief and smiles to meeting attendees, Bondi...

Name: Emily McGarvey Title: Director of Sustainability Years Room & Board: Two Primary Responsibility: “To lead company in social and environmental strategy. Setting goals. Having a positive impact on people and planet. There’s no typical day. I get to work on a lot of different projects.” Company’s most significant accomplishment in social purpose and sustainability: “We have done a lot. Prioritizing American crafts people and having 90 percent of our products made in the U.S. Having that local and American supply chain.” Company’s most significant challenge moving forward in social purpose and sustainability: “One of the biggest challenges is figuring out what to...

CHICAGO—Great Wolf Resorts recently appointed triple-board certified physician and noted neurologist, Dr. Romie Mushtaq, as the company’s first Chief Wellness Officer. Mushtaq, who is widely recognized by the name Dr. Romie, will help establish a wellness-focused foundation for Great Wolf that includes training materials, educational tools, and specific programs to assist the company’s 10,000 Pack Members achieve their wellness pursuits and a better sense of mindfulness. Dr. Romie will utilize a data-driven approach to understand the needs of the company’s Pack Members both at the resort and corporate levels, and then champion wellness initiatives to address areas of opportunity with...

THE MALDIVES—Fairmont Maldives Sirru Fen Fushi has appointed David Estellés as the resort’s new Sustainability Manager. Estellés will drive the resort’s commitment to environmental protection and sustainable practices preserving the ecological balance of the area in the Maldives. The team at the resort recently achieved 87 percent in the Green Globe certification for its dedication to sustainable operations and development. Under Estellés’ guidance Fairmont Maldives, Sirru Fen Fushi will continue its sustainable initiatives, including the Sustainability Lab—the first resort-based recycling center; the Coralarium, a coral regeneration project and underwater art gallery that is home to more than 100 different fish species; and...

TALLAHASSEE, FLA.—With its Florida Green Lodging Program, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection has one of the largest state-level hotel green designation programs in the United States. As of January 10, the Program had 319 designated Florida Green Lodging properties. The program is certainly one of the oldest as well, having launched in 2004. In its assessment of lodging establishments, the points-based Florida Green Lodging Program looks at the following five categories: 1. Communication and education (customers, employees, public). 2. Waste reduction, reuse, and recycling. 3. Water conservation. 4. Energy efficiency. 5. Indoor air quality. Properties can earn one of four designations: One Palm, Two Palm,...

LOS ANGELES—The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA), the AHLA Foundation, and The BHN Group/Northstar Travel Group announced that Mark Hoplamazian, President and CEO, Hyatt, will be awarded the Arne Sorenson Social Impact Leadership Award. Hoplamazian will be recognized during the AHLA Foundation’s fundraising gala, Night of a Thousand Stars on Sunday, January 21, as well as during the 23rd annual Americas Lodging Investment Summit (ALIS) on Tuesday, January 23. “Mark’s tenure at the helm of Hyatt is not just inspiring, it’s a testament to his remarkable leadership and aptitude for empathy. Beyond the boardroom, he’s championed countless initiatives that raise...

RAJASTHAN, INDIA—Six Senses Fort Barwara announced the appointment of Aaron McGrath as Regional General Manager. A holder of both a Diploma in Hotel Management from Hotel Institute Montreux, Switzerland and an MBA from Ecole Hoteliere de Lausanne, Switzerland, and a career spanning over three decades in the international hospitality industry, Aaron brings a wealth of knowledge, expertise, and a dynamic leadership approach to lead the Six Senses Fort Barwara team into an exciting new era. McGrath has consistently excelled in the fast-paced, ever-evolving world of international hospitality, hotels, and integrated resorts. His pragmatic leadership style, marked by a calm and...

FORT WORTH, TEXAS—Canyon Ranch, a pioneer and innovator in destination wellness, recently announced the appointment of Mark Rivers as its new CEO. Canyon Ranch is looking to Rivers’ leadership as they grow their emerging ecosystem of properties in Texas and beyond. In follow up from the July announcement with VICI Properties, Inc. to expand the Canyon Ranch brand, Rivers played a pivotal role in executing this partnership, which encompasses the debut of its first Canyon Ranch Wellness Club in Fort Worth later this year, a second Wellness Club to open in Houston in 2024, and a new resort and residential community under development in the Austin market, with a planned...