WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) has launched USGBC+, a new magazine for its community of nearly 13,000 member organizations that are committed to USGBC’s mission to create sustainable buildings and communities for all within this generation.The magazine is available as a complimentary amenity for USGBC members, which range from small businesses to multinational corporations, local governments, educational institutions and nonprofit organizations.“USGBC’s network of members, large and small, form the backbone of the worldwide movement toward high-performing green structures that serve as a pathway to a healthier planet, healthier people and healthier bottom lines,” said Rick Fedrizzi, president,...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships (NEEP) has chosen the J.W. Marriott Washington, D.C. as a 2014 Northeast Business Leader for Energy Efficiency for its efforts to grow the economy and protect the environment via its commitment to energy efficiency.In the nation’s capital, JW Marriott Washington, D.C. and Marriott International’s hotels of Washington, D.C. welcome tourists and professionals year-round. The hotels that serve these visitors are some of the largest consumers of energy in the city and present abundant opportunities for energy savings. Since 2012, Marriott International’s hotels of Washington, D.C. have worked with the DC Sustainable Energy Utility (DCSEU) to...

ROCKVILLE, MD.—Choice Hotels International, Inc. and national nonprofit Rebuilding Together joined forces last week to provide renovations to Parsons Place, a facility run by the Neighborhood Housing Services of Southern Nevada. This project, held at the start of Choice’s annual convention in Las Vegas, was the 75th rebuilding project between the two organizations.Parsons Place is a 57-unit transitional, three story housing complex run by the Neighborhood Housing Services of Southern Nevada. The focus of Parsons Place is to provide clean, safe, and affordable housing opportunities to adults with no children who are moving out of shelters or “near homeless.”Nearly...

SAN DIEGO—Americans for Nonsmokers’ Rights presented Redding Rancheria Tribal leadership and Win-River Resort and Casino management with Smoke Free Business Awards for their newly remodeled 100 percent smoke free indoor facility. The awards were presented during the annual National Indian Gaming Association (NIGA) expo held at the San Diego Convention Center this week.The casino celebrated its grand reopening on March 14, 2014. Since then, it has experienced great business and positive feedback from employees, players, and the community. “It’s the best decision we ever made,” said Gary Hayward, General Manager of the Win-River Resort and Casino in Redding, Calif....

NEW ORLEANS—Registration for the Farm To Table International Symposium (F2Ti) is now open. F2Ti will be held in New Orleans, August 2 to 4, 2014. The annual event brings together the leading practitioners in the burgeoning farm-to-table movement to explore the cultivation, distribution, and consumption of food and drink sourced locally. The event is presented by the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, in partnership with the SoFAB Institute and the LSU AgCenter.Food pioneer Michel Nischan will serve as Honorary Chair. Nischan is a restaurateur, award-winning cookbook author, media personality and food policy advocate in addition to his...

PARSIPPANY, N.J.—Wyndham Worldwide announced that it has achieved a total 12 percent energy reduction at its North American locations that are part of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Better Buildings Challenge. The Better Buildings Challenge is a national initiative launched by President Obama in 2011 with the goal of making American commercial, multifamily and industrial buildings 20 percent more energy efficient in 10 years. This program aligns with the company’s goals to reduce carbon emissions by 16 percent by 2016 and by 20 percent by 2020. As of 2013, Wyndham Worldwide has reduced its global footprint in over 40...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Provocative and informative, The Goose with the Golden Eggs examines the impacts of different models of coastal tourism in Costa Rica, from small-scale eco-lodges and a sustainable mid-sized resort to large-scale resorts, vacation homes, and cruise ships along the northern Pacific Coast. The film features interviews with Margarita Penon, Costa Rica’s former First Lady and member of Congress, as well as with other government officials, tourism experts, and residents of coastal communities who are affected by Costa Rica’s tourism boom.   “The travel industry has become so powerful it can make or break a village or a country,” says...

MINNEAPOLIS—The Minneapolis Convention Center (MCC), the largest convention center in the Upper Midwest, has achieved Level One certification to the ASTM Standard pertaining to the Evaluation and Selection of Venues for Environmentally Sustainable Meetings, Events, Trade Shows and Conferences. The international sustainability venue standard is one of nine standards introduced by the meetings, conventions, exhibitions and events industry in 2012 to provide event planners and suppliers with specifications for producing events in a more sustainable manner.“We are proud and excited to attain the ASTM Venue certification,” said Jeff Johnson, Executive Director, Minneapolis Convention Center. “Certification to the industry’s global...

MCLEAN, VA.—The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) and International Youth Foundation (IYF), with support from Hilton Worldwide, released a new tool, The Global Youth Wellbeing Index, that examines the quality of life for youth in 30 countries. The Index assesses youth wellbeing across six interconnected areas: citizen participation, economic opportunity, education, health, information and communications technology and safety and security. Representing nearly 70 percent of the world’s youth population, the Index is the first comprehensive measurement of youth wellbeing and will help policymakers, donors, businesses and young people make strategic investments in youth programming and elevate youth...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—An alliance of food manufacturers, retailers and foodservice operators announced the release of a toolkit to help businesses in the food sector reduce the amount of food waste sent to landfill. The Best Practices and Emerging Solutions Toolkit was produced by the Food Waste Reduction Alliance (FWRA), a cross-sector industry initiative led by the Food Marketing Institute (FMI), the Grocery Manufacturers Assn. (GMA) and the National Restaurant Assn (NRA).“The Food Waste Reduction Alliance has been working to tackle food waste challenges within the food sector since 2011, but we know that there are companies out there that are...