KISSIMMEE, FLA.—Gaylord Hotels and The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) welcomed Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center into the Florida Green Lodging Program. The 1,406-room resort is one of the largest in that state to participate, and the first in Osceola County’s popular Kissimmee resort corridor. In addition, the resort announced the upcoming rollout of a new guest communications program, called “We’re Eco-Logical”, designed to share the spirit of the resort’s eco-friendly initiatives with guests and meeting planners, while encouraging them to take an active role in the programs. “Together with the citizens of Osceola County, we have created one...

STOCKBRIDGE, MASS.—The Massachusetts Lodging Assn. awarded The Red Lion Inn the Good Earthkeeping Award at the Stars of the Industry Awards ceremony in Boston on February 12. The award recognizes a property that is a leader in the industry for its good earth keeping efforts. The Red Lion Inn won the award for the Up to 150 Rooms category. Good earth keeping is a vital part of The Red Lion Inn’s company culture and the way it conducts business. The Red Lion has integrated effective environmental management practices into as many aspects of its operation as possible and staff...

NIANTIC, CONN.—When the Sandpearl Resort opened last August in Clearwater Beach, Fla., its developer had already determined that the property would serve as a prime example of how new developments can be built and equipped to be more energy-efficient and environment-friendly. Today, with substantial help from INNCOM international, Inc., that vision is becoming reality. Niantic-based INNCOM develops, manufactures and markets room automation systems for the international lodging industry. INNCOM’s product line ranges from programmable digital thermostats to fully integrated energy management, lighting control and communication systems—all designed to enhance guest comfort, safety and satisfaction while increasing bottom-line profits and being...

TOBERMORY, ONTARIO—With its six suites, the E’Terra Inn here serves as one of the best examples of sustainable building in Canada and the United States. Ninety-five percent of products and materials used throughout the inn were made in North America, and the property is one of the first in the world to achieve Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold status. It was awarded that designation in 2005 by the Canada Green Building Council. E’Terra sits within the Niagara Escarpment World Biosphere Reserve, at the tip of the Bruce Peninsula separating Georgian Bay and Lake Huron. The luxury property...

MINNEAPOLIS—Honeywell announced it has been awarded a $4.5 million contract extension for Cool Control Plus, an energy-efficiency program that has reduced electricity consumption in more than 150 small hotels and motels throughout the Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) service area in northern and central California. Designed and managed by Honeywell Utility Solutions, Cool Control Plus provides lodging owners with free, energy-saving retrofits designed to eliminate wasteful use of air-conditioning and heating. The program was launched in 2006 and met the initial conservation target set by the utility—a 12-million-kilowatt-hour (kWh) savings in annual electricity use—a year ahead of schedule. Given the success...

SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS—For the second consecutive year, Friedrich Air Conditioning has been awarded an Environmental Excellence Award by San Antonio Water System (SAWS). San Antonio Water System serves more than 1 million people in the seventh largest U.S. city. Friedrich received this award in recognition of its continued efforts to reduce water consumption. In 2007, the company reduced the amount of process water requiring treatment by approximately 50 percent and has optimized the use of its water treatment process. Environmental Excellence Award recipients must demonstrate best management, water conservation, and pollution prevention practices as well as innovative...

NEW YORK CITY—The importance of HVAC&R as it applies to a range of building types is highlighted in the winning entries for the ASHRAE Technology Awards. Designers of systems for a hospital, a poultry slaughter house, a community center, a school and a hotel were recognized for incorporating elements of innovative building design in the areas of occupant comfort, indoor air quality (IAQ) and energy conservation. Winners have applied ASHRAE standards for effective energy management and IAQ. The awards were presented at ASHRAE’s 2008 Winter Meeting held earlier this month in New York City. “While each project was unique in...

NIANTIC, CONN.—HEI Hotels & Resorts, a rapidly growing hotel ownership and operating company, has invested more than $4 million in an aggressive energy conservation program designed to improve profitability across its 29 hotels. Of that investment, $1.2 million has been spent replacing existing HVAC control systems with the e4 Smart Digital Thermostat from INNCOM international Inc. Approximately 3,600 of HEI’s 7,900 guestrooms were equipped with INNCOM’s e4 energy-management system last year. As a result, the company expects to add $400,000 to the bottom line this year, with a return on the total INNCOM investment achieved in less than three years....

CLEVELAND, OHIO—Green Lodging News has added its sixth case study to its new Vendor Case Studies section. The case study focuses on the Holiday Inn Hotel North Vancouver and how it has benefited from Energex Inc.’s sensor-based guestroom energy management system. The hotel installed Energex’s solution in 162 guestrooms. So far, it has saved the hotel approximately $16,000 a year in energy costs. The Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites North Vancouver joins nearly 100 other properties in 11 countries that have adopted Energex’s energy management technology. Energex has been providing property and hotel managers with energy saving solutions since 1992....

ROANOKE, VA.—Give Kids The World Village is a 70-acre, nonprofit resort in central Florida that provides accommodations at its whimsical Village. It donates attractions tickets, meals and more for a week-long, cost-free Wish vacation to children with life-threatening illnesses and their families. Give Kids The World has partnered with Lodging Technology on the installation of the GEM System Energy Management Sensors in each of the villas. The sensors will provide a significant reduction in energy use and cost to Give Kids The World. “We are excited to work with Lodging Technology,” says Michael Bausman, facilities director, Give Kids The World....