BROOKLYN, N.Y.—Invi Air, a leading manufacturer of HVAC diffusers and frameless vent covers, introduces the Slot Tile Round Diffuser, a new circular addition to its Slot Tile product line designed to deliver high airflow performance while maintaining a clean, integrated ceiling appearance. Designed for acoustical and tile grid ceilings, the Slot Tile Round Diffuser fits standard 24-inch x 24-inch T-bar and drop ceiling grids, blending directly into the ceiling tile for a nearly invisible finish. Available as a kit with the plenum box, the diffuser is suitable for both supply and return applications and delivers a flush condition that aligns with the...

As highlighted in my May 22 column and in the article just posted this past week, the Austin Convention Center is one of the most fascinating current green building projects in the United States. I interviewed Riley Triggs about the project. Triggs is Lead Project Manager, City of Austin Capital Delivery Services. The mission of Austin Capital Deliver Services: “Optimize delivery of quality capital projects through partnerships to create an equitable and sustainable community.” You will find a lot of information in my article about the new Center that will open in 2029 but here are some highlights that really...

AUSTIN, TEXAS—The Austin Convention Center Department (ACCD) is celebrating a milestone in the redevelopment and expansion project, known as UnconventionalATX, having officially entered the first phase of construction. The new $1.6 billion Austin Convention Center will significantly increase the rentable square footage of the existing facility, growing from 365,000 square feet to 620,000 square feet of rentable space. The redeveloped Convention Center will be one of the most sustainable public projects in Austin’s history. The projected $1.6 billion investment is fully funded by Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) revenues, Convention Center revenues, and the state’s Project Financing Zone—not property taxes. The project has...

DUBLIN, IRELAND—The Asthma & Allergy Friendly Certification Program announces that Mohawk’s SmartStrand portfolio with Pur-Ease technology earned the Asthma & Allergy Friendly Certification as the first treated carpet product to meet the program’s requirements under its enhanced textile flooring standard. The evaluation framework is designed to assess defined, measurable performance endpoints for products making specific allergen-related technology claims under controlled laboratory conditions. The Asthma & Allergy Friendly Certification Program, a collaborative initiative between the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) and Allergy Standards Limited (ASL), helps consumers identify products that contribute to a healthier indoor environment. Products undergo rigorous independent testing to meet scientific standards...

NATIONAL REPORT—Travelers want to relax and feel refreshed during every stay. Indoor air quality influences guest satisfaction scores and brand reputation. Boosting your hotel’s air quality goes beyond upgrading filters. Focusing on integrated design, material selection, and operational discipline will make guests feel comfortable and healthy. Upgrade Filtration & Monitoring High-performance filtration no longer qualifies as a luxury upgrade. Many operators now install MERV 13 or higher filters in guestrooms and common areas to capture fine particulates, including combustion-related pollutants common in urban markets. Real-time air quality monitoring has also moved from niche to mainstream. Smart sensors track CO2, PM2.5, and humidity...

Sustainability in hospitality has come a long way. Energy use, water savings, and green certifications are now standard parts of hotel development. But there’s one system that still surprisingly gets far less attention than it deserves. Often overlooked, yet one of the most influential systems affecting guest comfort, wellness, and energy performance is the in-room HVAC system. For most hotel guests, the room is where sustainability becomes personal. It’s where they sleep, breathe, and recover. And no matter how much lobbies and public spaces showcase a property’s green credentials, guests will remember (and will comment on) if the room is...

I typically only hear from attorneys by press release when there are cases of guests suing because of bed bugs or Legionnaires’ disease. This week I learned about two Legionnaires’ disease cases thanks to Pritzker Hageman, a national law firm with a Legionnaires’ disease practice. In the first case, Pritzker Hageman and a Las Vegas office led by attorney Raymond Trueblood initiated a lawsuit against two Las Vegas casino hotels: The Grandview and South Point Hotel Casino & Spa. The lawsuit arises from the wrongful death of a guest who contracted Legionnaires’ disease after staying at both properties in 2023. Legionnaires’ disease is a severe form of...

In hospitality environments, cleanliness is inseparable from comfort. While the visible cleanliness of fabrics (linens, towels, upholstery, and staff uniforms) often attracts the most attention, microscopic contaminants invisible to the naked eye may play a more important role for the health and wellbeing of guests and employees. Increasingly, hotels are recognizing that allergens and chemical residues in textiles can undermine indoor environmental quality and contribute to discomfort, particularly for individuals with asthma, allergies, or chemical sensitivities. Fabrics as an Allergen Reservoir Soft furnishings and textiles act as reservoirs for allergens such as dust mite debris, pet dander, and pollen. Through everyday...

ATLANTA—ASHRAE and the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) have approved a new two-year work plan titled “Life Cycle Refrigerant Management (LCRM)”, reinforcing their long-standing partnership to advance sustainable refrigerant practices worldwide. The plan was adopted during the 2026 ASHRAE Winter Conference in Las Vegas. As the refrigerating and air-conditioning (RAC) industry transitions to alternative refrigerants, comprehensive management across the full refrigerant life cycle, from production and installation to recovery, reuse and disposal, has become increasingly critical. Some legacy refrigerants can deplete the ozone layer if released, while certain alternatives introduced to replace them have high global warming potential (GWP). Effective life...

ODESSA, FLA.—Green Lodging News has added Next Step Flooring Solutions to the “Flooring/Mat” category of its Green Product & Service Directory. Next Step Flooring Solutions, now part of the T2 Site Amenities family, delivers commercial grade, custom designed mats proudly made in the USA. From branded entrance and lobby mats to durable elevator mats, the company provides tailored solutions for hotels, luxury apartments, mixed use developments, educational facilities, and office environments. There is no limit on logo, color, shape and size (including wrapping around revolving doors). Floor mats can contribute 1.5 points toward LEED certification. The backing on floor mats...