EGREMONT, MASS.—A new destination in Western Massachusetts has opened: Prospect is a year-round retreat situated on the shores of Prospect Lake, nestled on 30 acres in the heart of the Berkshire Mountains. Originally a picnic ground enjoyed by families in the late 1800s, the setting expanded to a camping ground in the mid-20th-century and is now reimagined as a peaceful landscape hotel. Building on a 150-year tradition of communion with nature and loved ones and re-envisioned by a local design team with deep roots in the community, Prospect will usher in a new era of lakeside recreation and reconnection. Guests at...

NATIONAL REPORT—The phrase alone—human trafficking—is enough to stir outrage, discomfort, or disbelief. What many employers may not realize, however, is that you do not have to be a “trafficker” to be held liable for trafficking. Companies across industries, from hospitality to agriculture to technology, are facing civil lawsuits and criminal investigations related to sex trafficking activities. If you think this can’t happen to your business, think again. Here is what you need to know to protect your organization, and four steps you can take to minimize danger in your workplace. What is Human Trafficking? Public understanding of human trafficking is often...

CHICAGO—The 35th annual Best of NeoCon Awards kicked off NeoCon 2025 this week with a high-energy ceremony at THE MART, spotlighting the most forward-thinking products transforming the future of commercial interiors. A cornerstone of NeoCon since 1990, the iconic program celebrates exceptional solutions spanning workplace, healthcare, education, retail, and hospitality. This year, 96 awards were given to exhibitors for products across more than 40 categories, with honors awarded for Gold, Silver, Innovation, Sustainability, and Business Impact. The program’s top distinction, Best of Competition, was awarded to Halcon for its Astoria collection of conference and mobile communal tables. A multidisciplinary jury of 42 architects,...

CHEVY CHASE, MD.—PM Hotel Group has experienced continued strategic growth across its overall portfolio, including its lifestyle and unconventional hospitality division Modus by PM Hotel Group. With a focus on authentic and immersive destinations, the company has significantly expanded its presence in key markets, targeting today’s independent-minded travelers seeking hotel stays that connect people and place. “At PM Hotel Group, we’re not just growing our portfolio—we’re carving out a unique space in the lifestyle segment through our Modus by PM Hotel Group division by developing and operating properties that deliver bold and authentic hospitality experiences,” said Paul Sacco, Chief Growth...

DENVER—Populus Denver, a carbon positive hotel that celebrates and protects the natural world, announces the launch of the Populus Stewardship Grant—an ongoing seasonal initiative that awards 1 percent of revenue to local, environmentally focused people, projects, and organizations personally selected by employees. Designed to give back to the planet while increasing team agency and culture, the program accepts applications from stewards locally and regionally whose efforts range from reforestation and regenerative agriculture to ocean restoration and biodiversity protection. The hotel team then votes on where the funds get directed each season. Populus Denver is now accepting summer applications on...

INTERNATIONAL REPORT—Tourism can offer unforgettable experiences, but it comes with increasing environmental costs. As sustainability takes center stage in the industry, an emerging focus is on how travelers themselves can make a difference through pro-environmental behavior. To date, however, the interplay of personal and cultural values in shaping such behavior remains underexplored. Seeking to fill this gap, Professor Dori Davari and Professor Seongseop Kim of the School of Hotel and Tourism Management (SHTM) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, working with a co-author, targeted Chinese millennials, a major consumer group known for valuing luxury and self-expression while showing growing...

DUBAI, U.A.E.—Hilton announced the results of its Green Ramadan 2025 initiative, revealing a 26 percent reduction in post-consumer plate waste during the holy month. The month-long effort helped avoid more than 2.6 tons of food waste, the equivalent of more than 6,000 meals—reinforcing Hilton’s commitment to reducing food waste across its hotels through consistent, measurable impact. Building on the momentum of previous years, the program marked the initiative’s biggest rollout yet, scaled across 45 hotels in 14 countries in EMEA and APAC, and served more than 340,000 guests during iftar and suhoor—traditional meals during Ramadan. Participating hotels in Saudi Arabia, the United...

BENGALURU, INDIA—Marriott India has achieved its ambitious goal for World Environment Day 2025, a commitment to plant 100,000 trees across its extensive portfolio of over 150 hotels nationwide. This significant undertaking marked a powerful escalation of Marriott India’s dedication to sustainability and ecological restoration, building upon the success of its previous environmental initiatives. This landmark endeavor was built upon the successful foundation of last year’s “Two Trees per Room” initiative, launched on World Environment Day 2024. That program, a cornerstone of Marriott India’s environmental stewardship, saw over 32,600 trees planted by more than 4,900 volunteers. This year, Marriott India exponentially scaled...

ASPEN, COLO.—Arts and culture are interwoven into the fabric of Aspen One and its world-class portfolio of brands—Aspen Snowmass, The Little Nell, Limelight, and Aspen Collection. For decades, it has been part of the company’s ethos to support the arts and artists across its businesses and in the communities they serve. Expanding on that tradition, Aspen One announced that it is renewing and strengthening its commitment to the arts. First, the long-standing Art in Unexpected Places (ArtUP) program will receive new energy and funding, with an expansion of the program to include additional support of emerging artists and new partnerships with a range of art organizations....

VISTA, CALIF.—Uric acid scale is a mineral build-up commonly found in urinal basins. It forms when urine combines with flush water, making it primarily an issue with conventional flush urinals rather than waterless models. “This scale most often accumulates directly underneath waterspouts and water disbursement rims in urinals, creating both an unsightly appearance and unpleasant odors,” says Klaus Reichardt, CEO and founder of Waterless Co., Inc., a leading marketer of waterless urinals. “The scale can also build up on the floors directly below the urinal.” Cleaning professionals consider removing this scale one of their most challenging cleaning tasks. Making matters worse, the...