NATIONAL REPORT—A little more than six years after it first began taking applications, the Tennessee Green Hospitality program now has 82 businesses certified. Sixty-five of those businesses are lodging establishments. Among the certified hotels that are part of the Tennessee program are the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Jackson, Nashville Airport Marriott, and the Country Inn & Suites By Carlson, Knoxville At Cedar Bluff. Perhaps a first for welcome centers in the United States, all 14 Tennessee Welcome Centers are also certified.Each of the businesses in the program have submitted applications and then undergone an on-site inspection by Skye Con’s...

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...

CHENGDU—China’s Six Senses Qing Cheng Mountain is going the extra mile with conservation and environmental responsibility. The resort, which opened August 1, incorporates all the Six Senses sustainability benchmarks for which the group is recognized and has now taken a step further with the introduction of a Tesla Model S electric vehicle for airport transfers.As the first hotel in Chengdu to offer such a sustainable experience, it is a testament to the eco-friendly initiatives that drive Six Senses. The vehicle, which accommodates three to four passengers and offers generous luggage capacity, travels up to 310 miles (500 kilometers) on...

LOS ANGELES—This weekend starting on September 25 is Green Festival’s fifth Expo in Los Angeles. The organizers of the event have once again partnered with international thinkers, innovators, and leaders in the world of sustainability.The speakers at Green Festival Expos are articulate, powerful advocates for a just and sustainable world. From authors and filmmakers to politicians, musicians and scientists, these renowned individuals inspire packed audiences with their expertise—one of the most compelling draws to Green Festival since 2002. This year’s speaker line-up exemplifies why Green Festival is the largest, most-respected event of its kind and this year’s Los Angeles...

QUITO, ECUADOR—There is natural beauty everywhere at Mashpi Lodge near Quito, Ecuador. But there is more—much more—including scientific research and findings of interest not only to guests but also to the scientific community. A recent discovery at the 3,200-acre Mashpi Rainforest Biodiversity Reserve surrounding the Mashpi Lodge has everybody hopping. It is a new species of treefrog: Mashpi Torrenteer (Hyloscirtus mashpi). Carlos Morochz, Research Director at Mashpi, first saw Mashpi Torrenteer in 2011: “I sensed it was something different, so I went to Luis Coloma of Centro Jambau who suggested the frog required more detailed study.”Led by Morochz,...

PORTLAND, ORE.—A groundbreaking meeting of industry and sustainability leaders to address impacts from travel and tourism will takes place in Portland, Oregon on September 22 to 23.The “Travel and Tourism Collective Impact Summit” is organized by the NGO Sustainable Travel International and co-hosted by Travel Oregon, with additional support from Travel Portland. It convenes invited leaders of tourism destinations, major companies in travel and other industries, industry associations, NGOs and sustainability experts to work on critical issues related to the travel sector’s global impacts, and to leverage opportunities for tourism to be a major contributor to achieving global sustainability...

ALBANY, N.Y.—A bill proposed by state lawmaker Ken Zebrowski (A08371) would ban smoking rooms within lodging establishments in New York. Zebrowski announced the legislation during a press event last week at the Crowne Plaza in Suffern—Mahwah, N.Y. He was joined by the general manager of the Crowne Plaza as well as by a representative of the American Lung Assn. The American Lung Assn., POW’R Against Tobacco, American Cancer Society and the American Heart Assn. have all expressed support of the legislation.Zebrowski told Green Lodging News that he was inspired to act because of his own experiences staying at hotels...

LAS VEGAS—MGM Resorts International has been recognized by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation for its innovative sustainability initiatives and commitment to alternative energy sources. The company has been named a finalist for Best Environmental Stewardship Program in the 2015 Corporate Citizenship Awards.“MGM Resorts International’s sustainability initiatives create a lasting positive impact for the environment while strengthening the company,” said Marc DeCourcey, Vice President of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation Corporate Citizenship Center. “The scale of what MGM accomplished is truly impressive.”In 2014, MGM Resorts reached a major milestone in its commitment to environmental best practices. The company...

CARSON CITY, NEV.—The Governor’s Office of Energy (GOE) awarded property tax incentives to 11 Caesars Entertainment affiliated casino resorts for introducing significant energy and water savings measures in tens of millions of square feet of commercial space.The resorts received the GOE incentive after meeting State regulations and receiving a prestigious Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver or Gold equivalency from the U.S. Green Building Council. LEED is a rating system for the design, construction, operation and maintenance of green buildings.“Working with Caesars Casinos to make such an enormous quantity of square feet in Nevada more energy efficient...

CINCINNATI—The finalists for the 35th Gold Key Award for Excellence in Hospitality Design have been announced by HX: The Hotel Experience (formerly IHMRS). A panel of eight prominent judges considered more than 350 entries for these awards, which recognize outstanding design worldwide for hospitality projects that were completed or renovated from April 1, 2014 through May 30, 2015.“It was a thrill to set a new record for the number of entries,” says Mary Scoviak, Executive Editor of Boutique Design. “It’s a testament to the health of the hospitality industry but also to the powerful role design plays in its...