DALLAS—In January, when Pineapple Hospitality and Lodging Hospitality revved up their planning for their first Green Hospitality Conference, they expected about 75 people to register. On Wednesday, March 14, however, about 175 people attended—many signing up the day of the event. That surprise surge in attendees proved that owners and operators are hungry to learn about environmental trends and how to operate more profitably while conserving natural resources. “We were extremely pleased with the attendance,” says Ray Burger, President of Pineapple Hospitality, Saint Charles, Mo. “The number of hotel companies represented was impressive and we appreciated the support...

SANTA MONICA, CALIF.—A Partner Member of the Green Hotel Assn. and a Santa Monica Sustainable Works Business Greening Program participant, The Ambrose hotel here is doing what it can to “Leave Only Footprints Behind.” It is that phrase that the 77-room property uses in its stylish logo. In every area of the hotel’s operations, a commitment to sustainability is clear. That commitment stems from the owner, The Ambrose Group L.L.C., as well as the “all concierge” team of employees at the property. The Ambrose first got involved in greening the hotel’s operations by participating in Santa Monica’s Sustainable Works Business Greening...

TUALATIN, ORE.—Hartmann & Forbes, maker of sustainable handcrafted window coverings, has launched its EcoWeave Collection of 15 environmentally responsible solar screen fabrics. Specially woven from eco-friendly polyester yarns, EcoWeave is among the first collections of its kind in the industry. “The EcoWeave Collection is the natural evolution of solar screen materials,” says Michael Jones, founder and CEO of Hartmann & Forbes. “We are eager to provide a resource to designers and architects that adds environmental benefits to their design. This collection is particularly exciting as EcoWeaves can be used to help achieve LEED certification.” Designed under Project-Green...

BROOMFIELD, COLO.—Vail Resorts Inc. announced one of the most ambitious green development projects in the North American resort industry to date, to be called Ever Vail. The $1 billion project will transform the 9.5-acre site, currently known as West Lionshead, into a truly green multi-use resort village consisting of residences, a hotel, offices, retail shops and restaurants, mountain operations facilities, a public parking garage, a new gondola and related skier portal, and a public park. The name, Ever Vail, was thoughtfully chosen to reflect the project’s guiding principle of sustainability—that is, pairing Vail Mountain’s enduring preeminent position in the resort...

CITY OF INDUSTRY, CALIF.—For the fourth consecutive year, Bentley Prince Street has been recognized for its progressive efforts to reduce waste and conserve resources with the Waste Reduction Awards Program (WRAP) award. Sponsored by the California Integrated Waste Management Board, the state’s leading authority on recycling and waste reduction, the WRAP awards recognize California companies for the successful implementation of resource-efficient practices and aggressive waste reduction, reuse and recycling programs. “At Bentley Prince Street, just as we have our own Mission Zero goal of eliminating our potential negative impact on the environment by the year 2020, we’re...

TORONTO—Fairmont Hotels & Resorts announced that it will manage Pittsburgh’s newest hotel to be housed in Three PNC Plaza, a 780,000-square-foot mixed-use “green” building complex now under construction by The PNC Financial Services Group Inc. in the heart of downtown. Fairmont Pittsburgh, expected to open in summer 2009, will be built according to sustainable design and construction guidelines. In addition to the hotel, the complex will include a 326,000-square-foot office building, the first of its kind in 20 years. “We are delighted to place the Fairmont name on this hotel,” says William R. Fatt, Fairmont’s CEO. “The new...

DALLAS—Lodging Hospitality Magazine and Pineapple Hospitality have finalized the agenda for their first Green Hospitality Conference. The event will be held on March 14 at the Hilton Anatole Hotel in Dallas. The conference will precede Lodging Hospitality’s annual Hospitality Operations & Technology event. The day-long event will begin with an introduction and welcome from Gary Dietz, publisher of Lodging Hospitality, and Glenn Hasek, publisher and editor of Green Lodging News. From 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m., Ed Watkins, editor of Lodging Hospitality, will moderate a “Green Hospitality—Past, Present, Future” session that will include the following participants: Wen Chang,...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC) Greenbuild International Conference and Expo, the premiere green building conference in the world, is moving to Chicago for its 2007 show, which will be held on November 7-9, 2007, as previously announced. “Chicago is welcoming us with open arms” says Peter Templeton, Vice President of Education & Research, USGBC. “Chicago is not only one of the greenest cities in the country, Mayor Richard Daley has set a high bar for sustainable leadership and green building is a significant part of his commitment.” Templeton acknowledged that the move from Los Angeles...

LAGRANGE, GA.—All Milliken Floor Covering modular products, including those developed specifically for residential and hospitality markets, have been certified to the new preeminent green carpet standard—Sustainable Carpet Assessment Draft Standard NSF 140. Notably, all products with ESP backing meet the very stringent California Platinum Environmentally Preferable Products (EPP) certification. “We are particularly pleased to announce that our full line of commercial and residential modular products have undergone stringent third party review to provide our customers with further assurance of our commitment to sustainable practices,” says Dave Caples, president of Milliken’s Floor Covering Division. The carpet industry worked...

NEW YORK—KnollTextiles introduces the Renew Collection of three environmental upholstery fabrics made of recycled and recyclable polyester, with no added backings or finishes. KnollTextiles has engineered this trio for high durability (between 80K and 100K Wyznbeek double rubs) while keeping it earth-friendly, without adding materials to the face or back of the fabric which can prevent it from being recycled into its component parts. Knoll, as a corporation, takes environmental issues seriously, from a commitment to reduce greenhouse gas, to making sustainability an integral part of its business, and KnollTextiles has long been a leader in environmental textiles....