LAS VEGAS—Empire Resorts Inc. and the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe announced that they are exploring ways of making the proposed St. Regis Mohawk Casino at Monticello Raceway in Sullivan County (N.Y) the first such facility in the Northeast to be built to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards. Empire Resorts is the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe’s development and management partner in the $600 million project. Steven Winter Associates will be guiding the developers through the LEED certification process. “Empire Resorts looks forward to working with the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe in exploring the possibility of building...

PLANO, TEXAS—EnviroGLAS announced a significant expansion and the reapportionment of sales regions to meet the rapidly increasing demand for recycled glass and porcelain counters, floors, wall panels and landscaping mulch. EnviroGLAS has added 14 architectural representatives in the last year, and EnviroGLAS products are now carried in at least 30 showrooms across the country, many of which are new green building supply stores. The expanded sales team can be viewed at www.enviroglasproducts.com/reps.asp. The number of EnviroGLAS dealers is expected to double in 2008. “Earth Day is this weekend,” says president and founder Tim Whaley. “It’s the perfect...

LOS ANGELES—Bentley Prince Street has taken another step in its Mission Zero sustainability commitment through a unique partnership with the Asset Network for Education Worldwide (ANEW) Foundation, a charitable 501 (c)(3) organization that collects and repurposes surplus furniture, fixtures and equipment for groups in need. Their goal? Create a program that unites environmental sustainability with social responsibility—keeping carpet out of overflowing landfills while, at the same time, helping community learning programs that can benefit from repurposed carpet. Through this partnership, Bentley Prince Street will work with ANEW to identify and assess surplus carpet—carpet that for one reason or...

LAGRANGE, GA.—Milliken Contract invites customers to renew the Earth by planting a tree in recognition of Earth Day 2007 at www.milliken.com/treesforall. “We hope that everyone is observing Earth Day by reducing waste, increasing recycling efforts and enjoying nature,” says Bill Gregory, Director of Sustainable Initiatives for Milliken Floor Covering. “Trees for All reminds us to live sustainably.” During Earth Day week, Milliken will present its first Chain of Green award encouraging sustainability throughout the supply chain. Milliken Contract is planting a tree to commemorate Citi’s commitment to sustainable choices at the opening of Citi’s Elk Grove, Illinois...

JACKSON HOLE, WYO.—Proving that luxury and sustainability can join forces with unprecedented results, Hotel Terra will open in Jackson Hole this winter season. The first in a collection of green hotels launched by the Terra Resort Group, Hotel Terra will offer the exceptional amenities and services expected from boutique hotels, combined with environmentally sustainable building and operating practices. Green practices include Hotel Terra’s pending LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification, which will put it in an elite group of just five LEED-certified hotels in the United States. The 72 room, six-story Hotel Terra is a condominium hotel property built...

GREENSBORO, N.C.—The greenest hotel in North America? If not, it is certainly among the top few. Dennis Quaintance, CEO and CDO (Chief Design Officer) of Quaintance-Weaver Restaurants and Hotels, developer of the 147-room Proximity Hotel in Greensboro, N.C., has his sights set on Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification. The property, still under construction, will use 40 percent less energy and 35 percent less water than a comparable hotel. It is expected to open in August or September. What makes the eight-story Proximity Hotel so different than a typical luxury property? The roof is a good place...

FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA.—Valley Forge Fabrics Inc. announces FRESH: Fabrics Redefining Environmental Standards (for) Hospitality. As the acronym implies, FRESH represents the first environmentally friendly comprehensive fabric program designed specifically for the hospitality industry. With more than 200 fabrics spanning three opening volumes, FRESH creates a new benchmark for selection and diversity in environmentally friendly fabrics for the hospitality design community and the United States’ 3 million hotel guestrooms. FRESH fabrics are made with synthetic yarns derived from post-industrial and post-consumer recycled products that are made at a low impact manufacturing platform. Because of their unique construction, FRESH fabrics are recyclable....

DALLAS—In 2006, nearly 90 percent of customers surveyed by the American Institute of Architects said they would be willing to spend more to build or buy homes that would be more energy efficient and also protect the environment. In response, East Teak Fine Hardwoods Inc., an industry leader in First European Quality teak and other fine hardwood products, announces its recent certification as the first and only North American supplier of Forest Stewardship Council certified 100 percent post-consumer recycled teak and rosewood. The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is a nonprofit membership organization consisting of a diverse group...

LAGRANGE, GA.—Characterized by originality and high fashion impulses, Funkygraphic is Milliken’s latest collection of state-of-the art carpet designs for hospitality interiors. The European influenced designs of Funkygraphic divide into five color moods—Jungle Fever, Purple Haze, Color Spot, Duo Tone and Fade to Grey. Each color mood represents a collection of different designs coordinated to make creating innovative interiors simple. Designs represent a graphic retro style, spiced with oblique angles and original perspectives. With over 172 standard options, there is a mood for all environments. Jungle Fever evokes a trendy ecological restaurant where an encounter between nature...

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...