MIAMI—The Global Wellness Summit (GWS), the foremost gathering of international leaders in the multitrillion-dollar global wellness economy, announced an impressive roster of keynotes, presenters and panels for the 14th annual GWS taking place both in-person at The Breakers Palm Beach November 8 to 11, and worldwide via the recently announced Virtual Access Package. Below is a snapshot of the presenters and their topics; the full list can be found at this link and is updated frequently: Ophelia Yeung, Katherine Johnston, Tonia Callender, research team from The Global Wellness Institute, will present a groundbreaking report: “Defining the Mental Wellness Economy.” James...

PARIS—Accor announced its continued action to lead the hospitality industry with the most stringent cleaning standards and operational procedures concentrated on guest safety. Following operational disruptions stemming from COVID-19, Accor has successfully reopened most of its hotels with 95 percent of them having already adopted the Group’s trusted ALLSAFE cleanliness and hygiene protocols jointly developed with Bureau Veritas. To date, Accor has successfully certified 65 percent of these hotels with the ALLSAFE label through a third-party review and accreditation process with professional auditors like Bureau Veritas, SGS, Clifton and Ecolab, and is working to have additional hotels independently verified...

WEST LAFAYETTE, IND.—What if paint could cool off a building enough to not need air- conditioning? Purdue University engineers have created white paint that can keep surfaces up to 18 degrees Fahrenheit cooler than their ambient surroundings—almost like a refrigerator does, but without consuming energy. According to the researchers, the paint would replace the need for air-conditioning by absorbing nearly no solar energy and sending heat away from the building. Without the building heating up, air-conditioning wouldn’t have to kick on. “It’s very counterintuitive for a surface in direct sunlight to be cooler than the temperature your local weather station reports for...

ATLANTA—Rats have taken to the streets of Chicago, yet again. Orkin released its Top 50 Rattiest Cities List, and for the sixth consecutive time, the Windy City takes the top spot. New to the Top 10 this year is Baltimore, taking the eighth spot, and moving into the Top 20 is San Diego, rising 13 spots to secure the #19 ranking. Orkin ranked metro regions by the number of new rodent treatments performed from September 1, 2019 to August 31, 2020. This ranking includes both residential and commercial treatments. 1. Chicago 26.  Raleigh, N.C. (-2) 2. Los Angeles 27.  Hartford, Conn. (-2) 3. New York 28. ...

CHICAGO—Guided by its purpose of care, Hyatt Hotels Corp. announced Hyatt Together—a digital platform for guests, members and customers featuring curated wellbeing experiences created by Hyatt colleagues from around the world. Aligned with Hyatt’s holistic approach to wellbeing, Hyatt Together content is focused on three pillars: Feel (emotional and mental wellbeing), Fuel (powering the body, including food, sleep) and Function (how you move and function in work and life). Hyatt is premiering expanded video content designed to bring its engaging, signature experiences outside of Hyatt hotels so that more people can have access, whether at home, or when they’re ready, while...

Houston—The AAA Four Diamond InterContinental Houston-Medical Center, located in the renowned Texas Medical Center, is taking further steps to enhance its approach to cleanliness by becoming the first hotel to use the innovative Integrated Viral Protection (IVP) Bio Defense Indoor Air Protection Filtration System. The IVP Air heated-air filtration system is a mobile, plug-and-purify device designed to eliminate SARS-CoV-2, anthrax spores and other airborne contaminants through a heated filter that does not impact the temperature of the ambient air. Building on a comprehensive set of procedures and protocols in place with the IHG Way of Clean program, the use of...

MCLEAN, VA.—The Hilton Effect Foundation announced its 2020 Hilton Effect grantees, which include community-based organizations playing a direct role in COVID-19 pandemic recovery efforts. Through these grants and donations already made by the Foundation, which serves as Hilton’s primary philanthropic arm, the Foundation has now awarded more than $1 million dollars in COVID-19 community response efforts. “A core part of the Hilton Effect Foundation’s work is to support our communities around the world through both good times and bad,” said Kate Mikesell, President, Hilton Effect Foundation. “From the very start of the pandemic, we have been listening to community leaders...

LONDON—Largely unaffected by COVID-19, the Commonwealth of Dominica hopes to persuade tourists to return to the Nature Isle of the Caribbean. To reassure guests and residents alike that it is safe to visit the island, on October 2, the Discover Dominica Authority launched the “Safe in Nature” campaign. It provides a “managed experience” within a so-called “tourism bubble” comprising accommodation, transport, attractions, spas, restaurants and water-based activities that have all been certified for safety by the government. Dominica reopened its borders to tourists in August following protocols that, according to the President of the Dominica Hotels and Tourism Assn., Hans...

HONOLULU—Outrigger Hospitality Group earned the prestigious 2020 Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Gold Award in the Climate Change category for its OZONE platform—a global conservation initiative supporting coral health and resiliency, with special focus on the waters that surround the iconic beach destinations of Outrigger Resorts around the world. The winners were announced on September 24, 2020 during the virtual PATA Gold Awards presentation. With more than 60 percent of the world’s coral reefs under immediate threat due to climate change, land pollution and unsustainable fishing, OZONE invites Outrigger guests to be part of the solution. “Outrigger’s link to the ocean...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The American Hotel & Lodging Foundation (AHLA Foundation) unveiled a new scholarship program to partner with 10, 2-year hospitality programs around the country. The new endeavor will provide $100,000 to students signing up for the 2021/2022 academic year. In addition, AHLAF is awarding another $1 million in scholarships to 310 bachelor and graduate degree hospitality students during the 2020/2021 academic year. Since its founding, the AHLA Foundation has distributed nearly $14 million in scholarship funds to promising hospitality management students across the nation. The newly created 2-year hospitality scholarship program will provide meaningful support to deserving hospitality associate degree...