WINDSOR, ENGLAND—IHG Hotels & Resorts, one of the world’s leading hotel companies, has opened its new global headquarters in Windsor, U.K. Having started life as an FTSE-listed company in Windsor in 2003, IHG returns to the historic town for its next chapter after being based for the past 15 years in Denham, Buckinghamshire. The building represents not only the company’s global headquarters, but also the head of its Europe, Middle East, Asia and Africa region, helping serve an international business that has more than 6,000 hotels across more than 100 countries around the world. The Windsor One office on Arthur Road...

BERLIN—JW Marriott, part of Marriott Bonvoy’s global portfolio of 30 hotel brands, unveils its second property in Germany with the opening of JW Marriott Hotel Berlin. Owned by one of the leading hospitality investment companies Al Rayyan Tourism Investment Company (ARTIC), JW Marriott Hotel Berlin brings guests together through thoughtfully crafted spaces, warm service, and a commitment to well-being. Converting from Hotel Berlin Central District, this announcement marks the completion of the first stage in the property’s transformation to join the JW Marriott brand, set to offer a different perspective to the capital city’s hospitality scene. “JW Marriott blends a...

TARRYTOWN, NEW YORK—Nightfood, Inc., the company pioneering the sleep-friendly nighttime snacking category, believes the hotel industry has an immediate opportunity to support wellness and better sleep by making sleep-friendly snacks available in lobby marketplaces to satisfy guests’ nighttime cravings. “Hotels have been letting their snack business undermine their sleep business, interfering with their commitment to the well-being of their guests,” said Nightfood CEO Sean Folkson. “What you eat before bed matters. Hotel companies have spent billions in their quest to give guests the best sleep possible—making significant capital investments upgrading beds, pillows, and mattresses and outfitting rooms with black-out curtains...

NATIONAL REPORT—Eleven states have enacted laws that ban PFAS, or “forever chemicals,” in food packaging in response to concerns about potential health risks. Another seven states have proposed similar bans—and more states are expected to follow. A recent Restaurant Law Center webinar explores what restaurant operators need to know about per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in food packaging. The webinar, “Outlook on PFAS in 2023,” is available to watch on demand. It features a panel of experts from the international law firm Steptoe. Laura Abshire, Director of Food and Sustainability Policy for the National Restaurant Association, moderates. PFAS is a large, diverse group of human-made...

ATLANTA—For the first time in roughly five years, GP PRO, a division of Georgia-Pacific, the company known for heritage consumable brands like Dixie and Brawny, is launching a B2B product marketing campaign aimed at foodservice operators. Entitled “Beverage Better,” the campaign aims to build awareness of and drive demand for the GP PRO Automated Sealing Machine, an advanced equipment solution that uniquely empowers operational efficiencies while elevating operators’ beverage business by providing a secure, tamper-evident, spill-resistant sealed film on beverage cups. According to Christian Soult, Category Director of Food Packaging and the Automated Sealing Machine at GP PRO, the “Beverage Better”...

This week I will be attending The NAFEM Show (North American Association of Food Equipment Manufacturers) in Orlando. The show runs from February 1 to 3 at the Orange County Convention Center. I am looking forward to it and will report on the event in next week’s column. There are currently 541 exhibitors. I will be on the lookout for new innovations and technologies—specifically ones that help hoteliers save energy and water and reduce waste. Within foodservice there has been a lot of chatter recently about the health risks of gas stoves. According to The New York Times, mounting evidence...

ODESSA, FLA.—Green Lodging News has added Live Earth Products, Inc. to the “Landscaping Products & Services” section of its Green Product & Service Directory. Live Earth Products mines and manufactures pure humic acid and fulvic acid-based products for use in gardening, lawn care, bioremediation, and agriculture. Their Live Earth Humate Soil Conditioner is an organic soil amendment for grass, ornamentals, and gardens to increase organic matter concentration in the soil for enhanced nutrient uptake and water retention. All organic, it is naturally mined and processed, and can be applied to soil and grass types at any growing state to promote...

LAS VEGAS—Sands has made addressing food waste a top priority and set an ambitious target to prevent, donate or divert 25 percent of food waste by 2025. Food waste intersects multiple key environmental and social issues including biodiversity loss, climate change and food insecurity that are integral components of both the Sands ECO360 and Sands Cares global programs. “Sands’ commitment to reduce food waste is guided by our intent to both minimize food going to landfill and maximize the value of food produced,” said Katarina Tesarova, Senior Vice President and Chief Sustainability officer. “We’ve made significant progress to reduce our...

FRANKLIN, TENN.—Southall Franklin, a farm-based resort, has officially opened its doors. Set on a working farm dedicated to education and exploration, Southall encompasses over 325 acres of Middle Tennessee hillside, creating a unique escape dedicated to saluting the agricultural heritage of the region, while advancing innovative practices for a sustainable future. Southall features 62 guestrooms and suites, along with 16 stand-alone cottages; a spa; a wealth of farm, wellness, and adventure activities, and a signature restaurant and culinary program led by Executive Chef Andrew Klamar and Senior Vice President of Culinary and Agriculture Tyler Brown. “The first seeds for Southall...

SANTA CRUZ, CALIF.—Steeped Coffee, a certified B Corp and Benefit Corporation, announced it is partnering with Oakland-based Mr. Espresso to bring its classic Italian oak wood fire roasted coffee to single-serve coffee lovers nationwide. Brewed similarly to tea, Steeped Coffee’s proprietary brewing method delivers the full flavor of Mr. Espresso’s coffee with the convenience of single-serve—no pods, no plugs, and no machines required. Mr. Espresso, a multi-generational family-run roaster, was founded in San Francisco in 1978 by Carlo Di Ruocco, after immigrating from Salerno, Italy—where he learned the art of bean selection and blending, and the craft of roasting by...