GRAND RAPIDS, MICH.—The LEED Gold certified CityFlatsHotel is once again expanding in downtown Grand Rapids, adding additional event space and a blow dry bar into their offerings for current and future guests. CityFlatsHotel opened its second location in what was once the legendary Fox Jewelers building in 2011. The Grand Rapids location expanded into the neighboring Hinman Building with opening of the Ballroom @ CityFlatsHotel in the fall of 2012. Events @ CityFlatsHotel will inhabit 77 Monroe Center St NW in what was once Louis Benton Steakhouse, which closed its doors in January after about 14 years of operation....

TROY, N.Y.—Environmental nonprofit Audubon International announces the first global Golf Course BioBlitz, a free program for golf courses, which will run the week of Earth Day, April 19 to 25, 2015.BioBlitz is a species counting competition designed to create awareness among golfers and the community about the environmental value of the habitats supported by golf courses. The program, sponsored by the United States Golf Assn., is open to any golf course worldwide including those unaffiliated with Audubon International.“How many species can you count? When we’re done, we’ll have a great idea about the wildlife, plant-life, and ecosystems that golf...

TETIAROA, FRENCH POLYNESIA—The Brando, a luxury resort on French Polynesia’s private atoll of Tetiaroa, composed of a dozen idyllic islets surrounding a sparkling lagoon 30 miles north of Tahiti, has introduced a vegan menu in its dining venues—the first offered by a luxury hotel or resort in French Polynesia.In addition to its Polynesia-inspired dishes, East/West fusion and classic French cuisine designed by Guy Martin of the award-winning Michelin-starred Le Grand Vefour in Paris, The Brando now offers a vegan menu in its Les Mutines fine dining restaurant, Beachcomber Cafe, and in-room dining.The Brando commissioned Kelvin Au-Ieong, chef and owner,...

CHARLOTTE, N.C.—Extended Stay America (ESA), owner and operator of 682 hotels across the United States and Canada, is more than half way through a renovation program that began in 2012 and is projected to be completed next year. As it has worked its way through each hotel, ESA has been faced with the challenge of finding what to do with old carpet, mattresses, box springs, bedding, lighting and other items. Through partnerships with suppliers, recyclers and various charities ESA has found a way to keep the “retired” items out of the landfill. So far, 25 million cubic feet of...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The five winners of the 2015 National Geographic World Legacy Awards were announced last week during an awards ceremony held at ITB Berlin. A partnership between the National Geographic Society and ITB Berlin, the World Legacy Awards showcase the leading companies, organizations and destinations—ranging from hotels to ecolodges and from small islands to entire countries—that are driving the positive transformation of the travel industry based on National Geographic’s work of inspiring people to care about the planet.More than 150 entries were received, representing 56 countries across six continents. Winners and finalists in five categories were selected by 18...

TAMPA, FLA.—McKibbon Hotel Group, an award-winning, third-generation leader in the hospitality development, operations and management industry specializing in multi-brand properties, is proud of its community involvement in assisting with the rescue of orphaned pets. McKibbon Hotel Group, which owns and manages the Aloft Asheville Downtown in Asheville, N.C., paired up with a local animal shelter, Charlie’s Angels Animal Rescue (CAAR), in an effort to increase the dog adoption numbers in the community.“The close partnership that we created with Charlie’s Angels is a perfect example of our commitment to community and family,” said John McKibbon, Chairman of McKibbon Hotel Group....

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...

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...

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...

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...