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More Than $725,000 in Scholarships Available Through AH&LEF
WASHINGTON, D.C.—The American Hotel & Lodging Educational Foundation (AH&LEF) will dispense more than $725,000 for the 2015 academic year through its scholarship programs. AH&LEF offers a wide array of scholarship opportunities for hospitality management students and lodging employees. Scholarships are available for incoming freshmen through graduate students. Awards range from $500 to $6,000, and unlike student loans do not have to be paid back. Applicants are judged based on a combination of factors, including hospitality work experience, academic performance, extracurricular activities, financial need, and personal attributes. The deadline for all academic scholarships is May 1. For more information on...
Mohegan Sun Announces Plans to Add 400-Room Earth Hotel
UNCASVILLE, CONN.—During a press conference last week attended by Connecticut Governor Dannel Malloy and Lieutenant Governor Nancy Wyman, Mohegan Sun executives shared details on a second hotel being added to the flagship property in Uncasville, Conn. The seven-story, 400-room Earth Hotel will allow for an opportunity to recapture the almost 500,000 roomnights turned away in 2014.At the event, Kevin “Red Eagle” Brown, Chairman of the Mohegan Tribe remarked on the Tribe’s commitment to the state, “Many of you here today, I’m sure, can remember when the Mohegan Tribal Nation first entertained the notion of developing a casino and entertainment...
ASHRAE, IAQA Approve Consolidation
ATLANTA—A consolidation between ASHRAE and the Indoor Air Quality Assn. has been finalized by both organizations. The consolidation was approved by the Boards of Directors for ASHRAE and IAQA at ASHRAE’s recent 2015 Winter Conference in Chicago.“We are excited about the opportunities presented by this consolidation,” ASHRAE President Tom Phoenix said. “It opens the door to alignment of ASHRAE and IAQA programs to create high-impact resources for building professionals around the globe.”“This is an historic event for both associations and has great promise for growth and development for both organizations,” IAQA President Kent Rawhouser said. “The opportunities and possibilities...
Researcher Analyzes Fragranced Products, Finds False Claims
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA—A University of Melbourne researcher has found that common consumer products, including those marketed as “green”, “all-natural”, “non-toxic”, and “organic”, emit a range of compounds that could harm human health and air quality. But most of these ingredients are not disclosed to the public.Dr. Anne Steinemann, Professor of Civil Engineering, and the Chair of Sustainable Cities, from the Department of Infrastructure Engineering, Melbourne School of Engineering, is a world expert on environmental pollutants, air quality, and health effects.Professor Steinemann investigated and compared volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted from 37 different products, such as air fresheners, cleaning products, laundry...
EPA Approves New Climate-Friendly Refrigerants
WASHINGTON, D.C.—As part of President Obama’s Climate Action Plan, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is increasing the options for refrigerants used in various kinds of refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment in the United States that offer better climate protection without harming the ozone layer. This final action addresses refrigerants under the Climate Action Plan that calls on EPA’s Significant New Alternatives Policy (SNAP) Program to identify and approve additional climate-friendly chemicals. “Today’s rule is an example of how we can turn the challenge of climate change into an opportunity to innovate our way to a better future,” said EPA Administrator...
Second Annual Green Tourism Conference to Focus on Marketing & Food Service
MOUNTAINDALE, N.Y.—The Green Tourism Working Group announces the 2nd Annual 2015 Green Tourism Conference at the Woodloch Pines in Hawley, Pa., on April 14 and 15. The conference networks regional food service and lodging facilities, tourism agencies, recreational activity businesses and their “eco” product and service suppliers for two days of workshops, training and collaboration to grow tourism through the surging interest in “green” travel and regionally sourced and prepared dining. Last year’s event attracted over 200 participants from Wayne, Monroe, Pike and Carbon counties in Pennsylvania and Delaware, Greene, Orange, Sullivan and Ulster counties in New York, and...
BookDifferent Publicizes Hotel Carbon Emission Figures
AMSTERDAM—BookDifferent has begun to publicize the carbon emission figures for 591,000 hotels. According to BookDifferent, it is the first OTA to do this. The carbon footprint of each accommodation is shown by a footprint icon containing the number of kilos CO2 emission per night stayed. Hotels with a green footprint have a low carbon footprint and are therefore a better choice than the hotels with a red one.“By showing the carbon footprint icons we give consumers a voice by enabling them to choose to stay in a hotel with a small carbon footprint,” said Lonneke de Kort, Director of...
Codes, Standards Developers Align Guidelines
NATIONAL REPORT—Several leading associations that develop codes and standards to create green buildings are collaborating to align the International Green Construction Code (IgCC), ANSI/ASHRAE/IES/USGBC Standard 189.1 and the LEED green building program. The initiative is being welcomed by code officials, architects, engineers and contractors.“In just a few years we progressed from developing the first model code for green buildings to a new cooperative document that will make it easier for owners, designers, builders and code officials to deliver sustainable, high-performing buildings,” said International Code Council (ICC) Chief Executive Officer Dominic Sims, CBO. “Thank you to our cooperating sponsors, ICC...
Oregon’s Visitors Give Back to Local Communities
PORTLAND, ORE.—February 14 was Oregon’s birthday. So, what does one get a state that has everything? In 2014, visitors to Oregon contributed more than $27,000 to enhance communities across Oregon through an innovative philanthropy program created by Travel Oregon and Sustainable Travel International. Funds will be directed to projects throughout the state that improve the environment, support local culture and enrich the destination through the Oregon Travel Philanthropy Fund (OTPF).OTPF is the first statewide program of its kind. The goal of the program is to improve experiences for visitors and locals by connecting them to participating businesses that directly...
IHG Opens Holiday Inn Express Marilia Hotel in Sao Paulo State
MIAMI—InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) announced the opening of the Holiday Inn Express Marília hotel in São Paulo State, Brazil. The new-build, 102-room hotel is among the first internationally-branded properties in the city of Marilia. The hotel is centrally situated near Marilia’s industrial district, airport, and less than a mile away from the city’s main shopping center.“IHG properties have thrived in Brazil since the InterContinental brand arrived in 1946,” said Alvaro Diago, COO, Latin America and Caribbean, IHG. “We helped forge Brazil’s hospitality industry, and thanks to strong relationships with our Brazilian partners, we are pleased to be an integral...