OAK BROOK, ILL.—The Hilton Chicago/Oak Brook Hills Resort & Conference Center recently unveiled its Horticultural Gallery. Spearheaded by a new full-time horticulturalist, Karen Paquin, the sustainable ecology program officially kicked off on Earth Day, April 22. Unlike a typical art gallery, the Horticultural Gallery at Oak Brook Hills, an IACC Green Star/Gold Status property, presents a cutting-edge array of eco-friendly initiatives happening outdoors in real time, headlined by the resort’s groundbreaking beekeeping program. The Horticultural Gallery is open to everyone to enjoy and tour—from individual guests to client groups. Paquin, who has been trailblazing in San Francisco’s progressive horticulture...

PUERTO VALLARTA, MEXICO—From fostering orphaned wildlife in the general manager’s private pool to diverting 750 pounds of raw food waste daily to a local hog farmer, Velas Vallarta is committed to environmental sustainability. So, in response to guest interest, Mexico’s Velas Vallarta has launched new complimentary tours showcasing the resort’s relationship with local ecology.“We are certified with EarthCheck and also with TripAdvisor’s GreenLeaders program,” said Donald Willis, Assistant Manager of Operations. “TripAdvisor developed the GreenLeaders program with help from national and international green industry experts including the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED Certification Program and the United Nations Environment...

ATLANTA—The importance of building and system commissioning is highlighted in the Technical Program at the ASHRAE 2015 Annual Conference. The conference takes place June 27 through July 1, at the Atlanta Hilton, Atlanta. The conference Technical Program features a strong focus on the design, construction and operation of high performance buildings, refrigeration and the annual Research Summit. Laboratories, refrigeration, fundamentals, applications, systems and equipment round out the program.The program features some 100 sessions, with more than 300 presenters and 104 paper presentations. The most popular track, in terms of sessions submitted and sessions scheduled, is the Building Operation, Maintenance...

ANDERSON, CALIF.—G6 Hospitality, known for its economy lodging brands, Motel 6 and Studio 6 in the United States and Canada, announced another of its Motel 6 properties is now drawing power from the sun. The Motel 6 franchise located in Anderson, Calif., has installed more than 350 photovoltaic (PV) solar panels that are expected to generate 100 percent of energy used by the property.“We are very proud to see our franchise partner’s committed to finding innovative ways to improve our environment,” says Dean Savas, EVP Franchise and International Development at G6 Hospitality. “This solar initiative aligns with our intention...

PROVINCETOWN, MASS.—With the recent ban on plastic bags throughout Provincetown, a push towards more environmentally friendly solutions is sweeping town as it prepares for the summer season. The Cape Colony Inn, located in Provincetown’s East End, is working to help in this movement by offering complimentary tote bags to guests checking into the hotel. The bags are a high quality material and perfect for carrying purchases from shopping or supplies for the beach.“I am excited about this new initiative for our guests at Cape Colony Inn after Provincetown’s environmentally friendly decision,” said Steve Sleeper, General Manager. “The hotel has...

KAUAI, HAWAII—The Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas, located on the island of Kaua‘i, announced the completion of a multimillion-dollar project to install a cogeneration plant and reduce its carbon footprint in the Hawaiian Islands. The cogen plant will generate electricity and steam for the 18.5 acre Kaua‘i hotel, powering the resort’s eight buildings, heating water in guest villas as well as the resort’s four pools and three whirlpools. It is the first instance in the Hawaiian Islands where a cogen system has the capacity to generate up to 100 percent of a resort’s energy needs.Kaua‘i’s primary source of electrical...

ORLANDO, FLA.—Marriott Vacations Worldwide Corp. released its first-ever corporate social responsibility report in conjunction with its annual “Serve Day.” The report, “The Business of Caring,” highlights the company’s commitment to investing in its associates, serving its communities and conserving the environment.“At Marriott Vacations Worldwide we have a tremendous culture where one of our core values is to ‘always do the right thing,’” said Stephen P. Weisz, President and CEO of Marriott Vacations Worldwide Corp. “We are proud to provide our inaugural Corporate Social Responsibility report that showcases our spirit to serve the communities and the lives of those around...

ORLANDO, FLA.—Wyndham Vacation Ownership (WVO), the world’s largest vacation ownership company and a member of the Wyndham Worldwide family of companies received LEED certification by the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program for the company’s Wyndham Branson Preview Center at 240 Terrace Boulevard in Branson, Mo. LEED is a third-party certification program and premier benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high-performance green buildings.Formerly a vacant medical facility, the three-story, 33,000-square-foot facility underwent renovations last year that included environmentally conscious construction and design, an energy-efficient HVAC system and lighting, and new landscaping....

HONG KONG—Burba Hotel Network (BHN), Horwath HTL, and Stiles Capital Events, co-hosts and organizers of the annual Hotel Investment Conference Asia Pacific (HICAP), announced that entries for the HICAP 2015 Sustainable Hotel Awards are now being accepted.  The deadline for Awards submissions is July 31, 2015. The 26th annual HICAP will be held October 14 to 16, 2015, at the InterContinental Hong Kong.The HICAP Sustainable Hotel Awards were launched in 2007 with the aim of recognizing hotel operators and developers in the Asia Pacific region who demonstrate exemplary sustainable practices and environmentally and culturally responsible development. Through these awards...

YOSEMITE, CALIF.—The Green Spa Network (GSN) is now accepting registrations for its 8th Annual Congress, the only spa event in the industry designed to define sustainability issues and inspire solutions. With the theme Moving Mountains: The Power of Change, this year’s event will be held at the award-winning Tenaya Lodge in Yosemite, Calif., September 26 to 30.Building on seven years of success, this year’s Congress attendees can look forward to the rich personal and professional development the event has historically fostered, tapping the infinite knowledge of nature and the incredible legacy of preservation that Yosemite is known for. Back...