LAS VEGAS—The Green Parking Council (GPC) announced the first seven parking facilities in the United States to achieve Green Garage Certification, a comprehensive sustainability standard for existing and new parking facilities launched in 2015 and evaluating 48 elements of garage operation, programs, structure, and technology. The parking garage at the Charles Square Hotel in Cambridge, Mass., is among the seven to be certified. The Green Garage Certification program will be delivered and promoted globally by the Green Business Certification, Inc., the certification body for the U.S. Green Building Council’s global LEED green building rating system. “Cars are getting smarter, people are...

READING, PA.—Ambius, a global leader in interior landscaping, announced that Hilton San Francisco—Financial District has installed its innovative sustainable plant system, LivePicture, as part of the interior décor for the recently renovated property at the gateway to the world famous San Francisco Chinatown. The Hilton is using LivePicture for enhancing its meeting room and executive lobby areas.LivePicture, the latest offering in unique interior plant designs from Ambius, is designed to bridge the gap between plants and art. It is a living work of art that is created using a mix of textural foliage. Framed, it can be sized to...

ORLANDO, FLA.—Wyndham Vacation Ownership (WVO), the world’s largest vacation ownership company and a member of the Wyndham Worldwide family of companies received LEED certification by the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program for the company’s Wyndham Branson Preview Center at 240 Terrace Boulevard in Branson, Mo. LEED is a third-party certification program and premier benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high-performance green buildings.Formerly a vacant medical facility, the three-story, 33,000-square-foot facility underwent renovations last year that included environmentally conscious construction and design, an energy-efficient HVAC system and lighting, and new landscaping....

SINGAPORE—Hilton Worldwide announced that it will reduce the environmental impact of meetings and events held at more than 90 hotels and resorts in Asia Pacific through an expanded carbon emissions solution, the Clean Air Program. Starting on May 1, meeting planners and delegates have been able to play their part in reducing carbon emissions and deliver more sustainable experiences to their customers.When customers choose any of Hilton’s participating hotels as meeting venues, the Clean Air Program will provide a calculation of the carbon emissions of the event at no cost to the customers. Hilton will then purchase the equivalent...

One glance around a hotel lobby and the trained eye can see many opportunities for flexible and rigid polymeric materials necessary for efficient, effective and safe construction. It would seem that Cliff Goldman, author of the guest column in January entitled, “A Hotel Industry Future Without Vinyl Products,” would have these potential opportunities exclude vinyl as an option, for reasons he may not fully understand. Most professional designers and engineers know the benefits of flexible vinyl, including its inherent flame retardant advantages, UV resistance, stain and scratch resistance and low VOC properties, not to mention recyclability. These characteristics all fare...

ORLANDO, FLA.—Designing and maintaining the systems that keep a hotel property running smoothly and efficiently is an important job, but one that may not even be noticed unless they stop functioning. The new, fourth edition of Hospitality Facilities Management and Design, was written by David M. Stipanuk, Professor Emeritus, Cornell University School of Hotel Administration, and published by the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI). It provides readers with a solid foundation in planning, operating, and maintaining the equipment and systems needed by every property.The book takes a systems approach to hospitality facilities issues, while also providing a...

CARTHAGE, MO.—Leggett & Platt Smart Products will introduce Helios wireless charging, Helios Time and LPSense Illuminate at the 2015 Hospitality Design Expo and Conference being held May 13 to 15 at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas. Helios, Helios Time and LPSense Illuminate are designed to transform ordinary living and working spaces into modern, connected environments. These innovative solutions are three products in the company’s LP Smart Suite package, with additional products set to roll out later this year. “Leggett & Platt has been a leader in the hospitality industry for more than 130 years, and we are excited to continue our...

NEW ORLEANS, LA.—A smoke-free ordinance went into effect in New Orleans last week. The unanimous passage of this ordinance, led by Councilwoman LaToya Cantrell and Councilwoman Susan Guidry, has thrust New Orleans into the national spotlight as a leader in public health advocacy. New Orleans joins eight Louisiana communities and more than 1,200 municipalities nationwide that have gone smoke-free. Additionally, the New Orleans ordinance has created a landslide effect across the state as other cities have taken notice and are considering similar ordinances. The Harrah’s New Orleans Casino is now smoke-free.In recognition of the historic nature of this ordinance...

NEW YORK—Restorative Hospitality, a subsidiary of the wellness real estate firm Delos, and Leonardo DiCaprio have announced plans to create the world’s most sustainable island resort at Blackadore Caye, Belize. Upon its completion in 2018, Blackadore Caye will be the greenest island resort ever built, the business partners say, and the world’s first “Restorative Island” project designed with sustainable building techniques that restore and regenerate the surrounding ecosystem and reverse the effects of climate change. The project is being developed by Restorative Islands, LLC, designed by McLennan Design and operated by Restorative Hospitality, which will also manage the wellness...

ATLANTA—A consolidation between ASHRAE and the Indoor Air Quality Assn. has been finalized by both organizations. The consolidation was approved by the Boards of Directors for ASHRAE and IAQA at ASHRAE’s recent 2015 Winter Conference in Chicago.“We are excited about the opportunities presented by this consolidation,” ASHRAE President Tom Phoenix said. “It opens the door to alignment of ASHRAE and IAQA programs to create high-impact resources for building professionals around the globe.”“This is an historic event for both associations and has great promise for growth and development for both organizations,” IAQA President Kent Rawhouser said. “The opportunities and possibilities...