FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA.—Valley Forge Fabrics has received the 2012 Marriott International Supplier Sustainability Leadership Award. Marriott made the announcement at their International Global Discipline Conference. Marriott’s “Supplier Sustainability Award” is designed to annually recognize one of Marriott International’s suppliers who have made the greatest impact on their guests and properties through innovative ideas that help Marriott meet their sustainability goals. This year two suppliers were honored with Marriott’s prestigious award; Ecolab also took home this recognition.Valley Forge Fabrics is the largest producer of decorative fabrics for the lodging industry. Over the past several years, the company has been honored...

DEARBORN, MICH.—The 773-room Hyatt Regency Dearborn will open its doors as the Adoba Hotel Dearborn/Detroit on November 1, 2012. The hotel, which overlooks Ford World Headquarters, the Henry Ford Museum and the Detroit suburb of Dearborn, will be managed by Atmosphere Hospitality Management. Atmosphere is the owner and operator of the Adoba brand.  “We are thrilled to be part of this community and excited to resume business as usual,” says Jim Henderson, CEO/president of Atmosphere. “Most importantly, we look forward to serving our guests and working with such a well-regarded team of employees, as the Adoba team begins a...

MIAMI—Downtown Miami’s hospitality market just got a whole lot greener with its first LEED certified hotel. Hospitality Operations, Inc.’s new 221-room Hampton Inn & Suites Miami Brickell-Downtown has been awarded LEED Silver certification by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). The property becomes the first LEED certified hotel within City of Miami limits. LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is the nation’s preeminent program for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings.The Hampton Inn & Suites Miami Brickell-Downtown is also outperforming the market when it comes to guest satisfaction, rising to become the top ranked...

ADVANCE, N.C.—Beaufurn, a manufacturer of contract quality furniture that is built to suit a variety of locations, budgets and design needs and is environmentally responsible, announced that it is introducing the Terza Collection. This seating series is appropriate for both hospitality and office applications. Ideal for high traffic areas, the well-proportioned size of these pieces makes them perfect for such diverse locations as reception areas, malls and university libraries as well as all types of hospitality applications. The brushed steel frame and legs are both strong and refined. The models can be upholstered in the customer’s choice of fabrics. “This contemporary...

LAKE GENEVA, WIS.—Green Leaf Inn, the first net-zero energy hotel being built in North America, will be sharing their story at the upcoming Greenbuild International Conference and Expo on November 14 to 16, 2012 in San Francisco. The Inn will be a luxury green retreat and demonstration model; a living laboratory and catalog of new technology, products and providers. The project includes both a renovation of the existing cottage with three suites, dining areas, commercial kitchen and laundry, as well as construction of a new building with 16 additional suites, conference room, massage suites and Welcome Center.Set to open...

COLUMBUS, OHIO—Hilton Hotels & Resorts announces the opening of Hilton Columbus Downtown. The 532-room property is located at 401 North High Street, conveniently positioned in the center of the city’s most admired neighborhoods, including the Short North Arts District and the Arena District. “Today is a significant milestone in the longstanding relationship between Hilton Hotels & Resorts, the City of Columbus and our distinguished business partners involved in this monumental project,” said Major Michael B. Coleman. “Hilton Columbus Downtown will attract millions of new visitors and make Columbus a best-in-class destination for national conventions and events.”The $140 million convention...

SAN FRANCISCO—San Francisco Mayor Edwin M. Lee announced that Moscone Center has received LEED Gold certification, the first convention center on the West Coast to attain the green building honor. The LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) rating system was developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).“Moscone Center is a vital hub for our convention and tourism economy, and we are very proud to have the first convention center on the West Coast to earn LEED Gold for an existing building,” said Mayor Lee. “This is now our City’s largest municipally-owned green building. Receiving LEED Gold on...

DENVER—Walking the halls in the new TownePlace Suites by Marriott at Gateway Park (Denver), you’d be hard pressed to find a difference between these and the corridors in almost any other prototypical TownePlace Suites across the country. To the guest there is no difference. To the owner, there is a huge one. Although just as bright, these corridors contain special fitted LED lighting fixtures. Lights may not seem like a big deal, but these use far less electricity and will make a big impact on the energy that the hotel consumes. Less electricity equals less operating costs, which equals...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) announced the opening of the fifth public comment period for the proposed update to its LEED green building program. The comment period, which will close on December 10, enables the building community to view the most recent draft of the rating systems and provide comments where any substantive changes have been made.“LEED v4 will have the greatest impact of any rating system we’ve developed by focusing on building performance and rewarding innovative product manufacturers who offer best in class products,” said Scot Horst, senior vice president, LEED, USGBC. “LEED v4 will help...

DALLAS—The LEED Gold pursuing NYLO Dallas South Side hotel, a five-story, 76-room property, opened late this past summer and joins NYLO’s collection of three other eco-friendly hotels—two in the Dallas-Fort Worth market. The new urban-loft boutique NYLO is the result of the conversion of the 101-year-old Dallas Coffin Co. Building. During the conversion, every possible part of the original building was incorporated into the hotel. For example, the hotel’s guestrooms feature original concrete floors and exposed ceilings. Celebrating the vibrant local arts community, original artworks from local artists are showcased throughout the property, complementing the hotel’s chic interior...