WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) announced that the third public comment period for the proposed 2012 update to its LEED green building program will open March 1, 2012. The comment period, which will close on March 20, marks the start of the LEED 2012 program delivery process.“LEED sits at the core of the green building movement, and is critical in realizing our collective mission,” said Scot Horst, senior vice president of LEED, USGBC. “LEED’s strength comes from its continuous evolution. This continuous improvement is the outcome of thousands of technical volunteers working to develop the program and...

LOS ANGELES—MindClick SGM announced that Fairmont Designs, a leader in sustainable custom contact furnishings for the hospitality industry, has joined the Hospitality Sustainable Purchasing Consortium as a Contributing Member. Specializing in the design, manufacture and marketing of furnishings, case goods and seating to the contract market, Fairmont Designs has a longstanding commitment to defining business success by not only delivering comfort and style through its products—but also by advancing environmental well-being in the communities it serves. Its membership in the Consortium moves further toward establishing the new Hospitality Sustainable Purchasing Index (HSP Index) as the industry resource for sustainable...

RALEIGH, N.C.—Hyatt Hotels & Resorts and Southern States Management announced the opening of Hyatt Place Raleigh West/RBC Center, one of the first LEED certified hotel buildings in the Raleigh area. As a part of the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification process, Hyatt Place Raleigh West/RBC Center boasts a variety of features intended to increase environmental sustainability, including: electric car charging stations, 30 solar panels to generate hot water, LED lighting throughout the hotel, energy efficient HVAC systems, motion activated thermostats in all 132 guestrooms, water efficient landscaping, solar powered trash compactors, and a hotel transportation van...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—NEWH The Hospitality Industry Network, the not-for-profit business networking and education organization in hospitality, will host its quarterly NEWH Regional Tradeshow in Bethesda, Md., on Friday March 16 at the Bethesda North Marriott Hotel & Conference Center. Each NEWH Regional Tradeshow provides a unique opportunity for clients in key major metropolitan areas to meet with existing and new suppliers showcasing their newest products and services in an intimate business casual tabletop format. Attendees can catch up on all the latest offerings in hotel, resort, spa, healthcare, restaurant and lounge contract furnishings. The NEWH DC Metro Chapter will host a pre-show...

NATIONAL REPORT—All Elements and Alofts have them. So do all Home2 Suites by Hilton properties. Drury Hotels Company is in the process of rolling them out to its branded properties and Four Points by Sheraton branded hotels will have them in their guestrooms by the end of this year. Many other properties either have them or are testing them. What they all have or will have are amenity dispensers. Replacing or complementing the small amenity soaps, shampoos, conditioners, bath gels and lotions that travelers are used to, amenity dispensers can reduce amenity-related costs significantly and dramatically stem the flow...

ATLANTA—The Atlanta Airport Marriott Gateway, adjacent to one of the world’s busiest U.S. airports and home to the Georgia International Convention Center, recently earned Silver LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification from the United States Green Building Council (USGBC). The eco-savvy, 403-room property is among the greenest hotels in the city and is one of only 41 LEED Silver hotels for new construction in the United States to earn this level of accreditation. “We are proud of this outstanding achievement in being recognized as an environmental leader,” said Robert Woolridge, general manager. “Our contributions in making the...

RAPID CITY, S.D.—Atmosphere Hospitality Management LLC has assumed the management and license contract of a former downtown Rapid City branded hotel and has plans to convert it to the first Adoba Eco Hotel. The conversion of the nine-story, 177-guestroom property will include a full property guestroom renovation and public area restoration beginning mid-February. The hotel will stay open during the renovation that is expected to be done by May. The destination inspired, sustainable guestroom design will be created by Antonio Ballatore from HGTV’s “The Antonio Treatment” TV show.“Our goal since the launch of the Adoba Brand has been to...

NEW YORK—Designtex announces the addition of 10 new patterns to its Sta-Kleen offering. The Archipelago collection consists of a variety of textures ranging from animal skins to geometrics. They are all available in a wide range of colors that pair with the company’s standard upholstery collection. Sta-Kleen is a durable built-in protective coating that protects the surface of the upholstery from ink and other challenging stains. Ink, in many cases can be simply removed by the use of a clean dry white cloth. The Archipelago Collection is the latest addition to the Designtex DNA upholstery offering.Aggregate 3429—A cluster of...

BRIMFIELD, MASS.—MGM Resorts International announced that it has selected Gensler, a leader in global sustainability, as the architectural firm that will oversee the design of MGM’s Rolling Hills Resort project in Brimfield, Mass. The choice of Gensler is in keeping with MGM’s commitment to sustainability. “We don’t believe development should come at the cost of natural beauty,” said Jim Murren, MGM’s Chairman and CEO. “Gensler is a company that shares our green values and we are proud to have them joining our Brimfield team.” Gensler is a member of the Business Council on Climate Change and was ranked the number one...

NORTHRIDGE, CALIF.—Reid Witlin Ltd., a textile company focused on the hospitality market, announced that it has committed to raise funds through running for the Big Brothers Big Sisters organization. “In an industry that has been hit extremely hard during this recession, we are eternally grateful to all the designers and purchasers who are continuing to lean on us for their fabric needs,” said Scott Yasgoor, president of Reid Witlin Ltd. “We feel that 2012 is our year to focus on giving back to help the people who are continuing to struggle.” Beginning in Atlanta on February 11, Reid Witlin will begin...