LAS VEGAS—MGM Resorts International employee volunteers build a house from the ground up, and hand over the keys to an elated single mother and her children. Tens of millions of dollars are spent conducting business with minority- and women-owned enterprises, supporting the company's strategic objectives and commitment to diversity. MGM Resorts and NRG Renew partner to install one of the nation’s largest rooftop solar arrays at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, stretching a massive 20 acres.These are just a few of the powerful displays of corporate citizenship chronicled in MGM Resorts’ 2014 Annual Corporate Social Responsibility Report. Themed “Inspiration...

ORLANDO, FLA.—The American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI) and Interstate Hotels & Resorts announce the recent launch of AHLEI’s human trafficking awareness training into Interstate’s mandatory training curriculum for front-line associates and managers at more than 300 hotels in the United States. “The Role of Hospitality in Preventing and Reacting to Child Trafficking” is an online program developed in partnership with ECPAT-USA that provides hotel staff and managers with the information they need to identify and respond to crimes of human trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC).“The safety of our guests and associates is always top...

NATIONAL REPORT—In hotels, utility costs consist of four major components.  According to the 2015 edition of Trends in the Hotel Industry, electricity is the largest utility expense comprising 60 percent of total expenditures. Water/service is the next largest utility cost (23.8 percent) followed by gas/fuel (10.6 percent), and steam (2.3 percent). Trends in the Hotel Industry is the annual survey of U.S. hotel operating statements conducted by PKF Hospitality Research (PKF-HR), a CBRE Company. Over the years, the energy component of the consumer price index (CPI) has been a good indicator of the direction of the change in total utility...

MCLEAN, VA.—Hilton Worldwide recently celebrated its second annual Careers@Hilton Live: Youth in Hospitality Month, a global career awareness initiative showcasing the diversity of opportunities available in the hospitality industry. Throughout the month of May, Hilton Worldwide properties and offices hosted more than 750 events globally totaling 22,365 volunteer hours and reaching more than 90,000 young people. Careers@Hilton Live is just one program in support of the company’s Open Doors commitment to impact one million young people around the world by 2019 and better prepare them to reach their full potential.“Travel and tourism accounts for one in 11 jobs globally...

KELOWNA, B.C.—They say winners are willing to go the extra mile to succeed. Bruce and Susan Stout did that, quite literally, to take top honors in the third annual E-mazing Race. Their cross-country adventure took them to many places, including a pit stop at one of the more forward-thinking Kelowna hotels.In total, the Vancouver couple drove their new Tesla Model S 17,895 kilometers coast-to-coast-to-coast for the competition that’s aimed at raising awareness for electric vehicles (EVs). They added another 1,600 kilometers in the final two days of the month-long competition (May 27 to June 26) to finish with a...

LAS VEGAS—MGM Resorts International employees have pledged more than $6 million this year to The MGM Resorts Foundation to support 1,400 nonprofit organizations and programs serving the resort company’s host communities in Nevada, Michigan and Mississippi, as well as other regional and national nonprofit organizations.“Every year our employees inspire us with their community spirit, and this year they have far exceeded our expectations,” said Phyllis A. James, Executive Vice President & Chief Diversity Officer of MGM Resorts International. “We are extremely proud of the model of compassion and giving our employees represent, and of the improvements their generous donations...

LAS VEGAS—Hosted buyers, visitors and exhibitors alike can all enjoy a greener IMEX America this year thanks to a host of sustainability initiatives focusing on waste reduction and education. A new charity recycling initiative, becoming part of the Green Team and attending relevant education sessions will help attendees to reduce waste and increase their awareness of corporate social responsibility.This follows the results of the MeetGreen Sustainability Report for IMEX America 2014 which showed a 31 percent reduction in total waste from the previous year. The use of locally sourced foods increased by over 150 percent and food waste decreased...

ASHEVILLE, N.C.—Sustainable business practices have never been more important nationally than at present. Green and Greening businesses have the power to facilitate changes in systems of old operations which previously took resources and the biosphere for granted. In sustainable economics terms declining social structures and climate change are threats to resource security worldwide. Green Festival Expo believes there is an enormous capability for businesses to reduce environmental and social impacts, and that consumers are ready to take part in a more responsible market in order to increase wellbeing and to reduce impacts to poverty and climate change, as well as...

NEW YORK—Attendee registration is now open for the newly renovated HX: The Hotel Experience (formally IHMRS), November 8 to 10 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. Now celebrating 100 years, HX has a new brand and mission that is directed to growing hospitality businesses by connecting buyers and sellers in the duration of this three day event.With more than 15,000 attendees annually, and a multi-million dollar investment aimed to revitalize this show, HX has new features this year that showcase the best of the best in the hospitality industry.Features include HX: ONSTAGE, theater presentations developed to offer informative,...

STAMFORD, CONN.—Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. together with Atlantic Hotels Group and Civitas Capital Group announced plans for a 224-room dual-branded Aloft and Element hotel development in the fast-growing Love Field district in Dallas. Scheduled to open in December of 2016, Aloft Dallas Love Field and Element Dallas Love Field will anchor a new mixed-use development just one mile from Dallas Love Field Airport (DAL) and the Dallas Medical District.“Aloft and Element will bring new energy to the Dallas Love Field lodging market by offering travelers the choice of two distinct lifestyle brands in close proximity to the...