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...

GREENSBORO, N.C.—Stephen P. Holmes, Chairman and CEO, Wyndham Worldwide, and Faith Taylor, Senior Vice President, Corporate Social Responsibility, Wyndham Worldwide, recently presented a check for $100,000 to “Birdies Fore Backpacks” from the company’s Wishes by Wyndham Foundation. Birdies Fore Backpacks launched in 2014 to fight childhood food insecurity in the Piedmont Triad and is perhaps the most important charitable initiative in tournament history.Birdies Fore Backpacks is the official charity of the Wyndham Championship, and supports charitable organizations which fill backpacks with nutritionally sound meals for low income kids and families to take home every weekend. During its inaugural run...

LAS VEGAS—MGM Resorts International joined the American Business Act on Climate Change Pledge by pledging to reduce energy consumption 20 percent by 2020, during the National Clean Energy Summit held at the Mandalay Bay Resort Convention Center, sponsored by U.S. Senator Harry Reid, and with closing keynote comments by President Barack Obama.“MGM Resorts is committed to being a leading corporate citizen in all it does,” said Jim Murren, Chairman & CEO of MGM Resorts International. “Climate change and consumption of traditional energy sources are among the most critical issues of our day.”“Innovating our resorts to operate more efficiently while...

NEW YORK—The Bodhi Tree Foundation (TBTF) announces the launch of its Power of 10 initiative, an expansion of its S.A.F.E. campaign created to “Safeguard a Future for African Elephants.” With 10 percent of Africa’s elephant population lost each year, the next 10 years will decide the species’ fate. And in Asia, disappearing habitats due to logging and urbanization have driven once wild elephants to the cities or tourist camps where they face a debilitating lifestyle.To counter forces that are aligned against the elephant, the Power of 10 supports 10 elephant conservation projects in 10 critical landscapes that can make...

LONDON—In the Silver Jubilee year of World Water Week (August 23 to 28), multiple global hotel companies are meeting the challenge “to think innovatively—together—about new development pathways” and are developing a methodology and calculation tool to enable hotel companies and individual properties to measure and report on water consumption in a consistent way.Following the success of the Hotel Carbon Measurement Initiative, now used by over 21,500 hotels around the world, the International Tourism Partnership (ITP) is developing the equivalent tool for water consumption. As World Water Week demonstrates, water scarcity is a recognized global problem, with demand for water...

STAMFORD, CONN.—With more than half of its current and future properties in areas facing critical water issues, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. shared its holistic water story detailing the company’s efforts to tackle this important matter. As part of the company’s overall strategy on water issues, including scarcity, flooding, and quality, Starwood has set a system-wide water reduction goal, introduced new technology and dedicated on-property actions, offered conservation-focused guest programs and joined with community partners.“Some say water is the new oil and, as we execute a global growth strategy, water is not only an environmental consideration, but also...