NEW YORK—Hastings Tile & Bath, importers and distributors of contemporary bathroom products, has announced additions to VOLA’s award-winning Round Series of in-wall accessories for residential and hospitality bathrooms. The new electronic soap dispenser and cistern flush are built-in and aligned to the wall. They are also completely contact-free, using the latest technology to provide a clean experience.The Round Series for the luxury washroom already features the built-in waste bin and the built-in tissue dispenser. Together with the classic VOLA hands-free tap (now available in a vertical configuration) and electronic cistern flush, the new soap dispenser takes the outer circle...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—In a few short weeks, approximately 30,000 people from all over the world will descend upon the historic city of Philadelphia for the Greenbuild International Conference & Expo, which features three days of extensive educational programming, workshops and showcases of the latest green products and services. Presented by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and owned and produced by Hanley Wood, Greenbuild, which takes place from November 20 to 22, 2013, at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, is the world’s largest conference and expo dedicated to green building.“Philadelphia is the perfect city for Greenbuild—with its rich history and its...

SAN FRANCISCO—Smith & Fong Co., manufacturer of Plyboo bamboo architectural plywood and flooring, announced the launch of its new Reveal Collection of carved and textured bamboo panels, according to company president Angus Stocks.Available in eight different modern pattern/color options, Reveal creates a three-dimensional visual effect, as the panel’s face is carved in designed patterns to reveal its inner core layers. Utilizing Smith & Fong’s proprietary RealCore technology ensures the revealed cores are consistent and that layers of bamboo material in bi-directional construction enable stability.“Reveal is one of the most visually dynamic products we’ve ever introduced,” Stocks said. “It’s ideal...

NATIONAL REPORT—Retina scans, robot room service and rooms that reconfigure themselves? Here today, coming tomorrow, and no, it’s not science fiction if nanotechnology has its way. In the hotel of the future, technology is king, and what it means to guests—and even to lighting—means everything. While “dream machines” will have to wait, the evolution of the hotel environment is already underway. Mobile Millennials and still-bustling Boomers are driving the demands of 2020, starting with the power to evoke the comforts of home. As personal control and customization becomes commonplace, matching service to a memorable stay will become imperative to appealing...

PARSIPPANY, N.J.—Wyndham Worldwide, one of the world’s largest hospitality companies, has received a Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program for its newest building on the company’s corporate headquarters campus in Parsippany, N.J. The campus previously received two Silver-level LEED designations, making it the first and only company in New Jersey to hold LEED certifications in both Commercial Interiors and Existing Building Operations and Maintenance.“A tremendous amount of thoughtful planning goes into the design, construction and operation of our buildings,” said Frank Campana, senior vice president, corporate real estate and...

ORLANDO, FLA.—The Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) announced that it has been awarded Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance Gold (EBOM) certification from The Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI), an arm of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). OCCC’s North-South Building is the largest convention center in the world to achieve LEED EBOM Gold certification.“Central Florida is now home to the world’s largest LEED EBOM Certified convention center,” said Rick Fedrizzi, president, CEO & founding chair, U.S. Green Building Council.” “This accomplishment demonstrates unprecedented leadership from Orange County and its convention center...

SYRACUSE, N.Y.—At Destiny USA there’s always a lot of buzz generated around our LEED certification. When we began the expansion, we wanted to continue the commitment to the environment we began when first building Carousel Center in 1990. Now, having just celebrated our one-year anniversary as Destiny USA, we are proud to be recognized not only as a premier shopping center, but as the largest LEED Gold commercial retail building in the world. Yet with all the talk around LEED, many are left wondering what it really means and whether it’s actually beneficial.LEED stands for “Leadership in Energy &...

CLEVELAND, OHIO—Hasek Communications, the Cleveland, Ohio-based publisher of Green Lodging News, welcomes GE Lighting as a Founding Sponsor. GE Lighting offers next-generation, energy-efficient lighting and intelligent devices for the hospitality industry. GE Lighting partners with hospitality professionals to create lighting plans that get the most out of every space. The company’s comprehensive portfolio allows customers to maximize energy savings, minimize maintenance and add to LEED credits. GE Lighting solutions are ideal for lobbies to lounges, guestrooms to garages, and ballrooms to back-of-house. All while minimizing maintenance and maximizing energy savings for an exceptional return on investment.GE Lighting has helped...

STAMFORD, CONN.—In an event that culminated in a pedal-powered “spin” on traditional ribbon-cuttings, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide celebrated the grand opening earlier this month of the Element Vaughan Southwest. The Toronto-area hotel represents the international debut of Element Hotels, Starwood’s extended-stay, eco-wise brand. Built green from the ground up, Element Vaughan Southwest is a 152-room hotel in Vaughan, Ontario, just outside Toronto. Its opening marks the beginning of a global expansion that will see the Element brand add to its global portfolio and enter key European and Asian markets over the next few years. These include new...

CORAL GABLES, FLA.—K. Denaye Hinds, Director of Sustainability with OBM International (OBMI), one of the world’s leading international architectural and planning firms, has been appointed Chair of USGBC Miami, a branch within the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) South Florida Chapter. Hinds was elected by member-peers in the green-build community of Miami-Dade County. “I am personally elated for Denaye,” said Lee Cooke, Executive Director of the USGBC South Florida Chapter. “I speak with confidence, knowing that she will make the coming year one of the strongest for the Miami-Dade Branch. We look forward to her accomplishments and welcome her to...