ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, ILL.—The Air Movement and Control Association International, Inc. (AMCA International) recently announced that air curtains are an approved alternative to vestibules. Following tests with air curtains in accordance with ANSI/AMCA standards and manufacturers’ instructions, the 2015 version of the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) will contain this new provision.Specifying air curtains as an energy-saving, low-cost alternative to vestibules in new construction has already become a growing trend among engineers and architects. Air curtains work by creating an invisible sheet of air that bends and resists thermal exchange over an opening using the building’s internal pressure. Vestibules, on...

BETHESDA, MD.—Marriott International, Inc. released its 2014 Sustainability Report—available this year as 10 separate and concise issue reports—sharing the company’s progress against a 2007 baseline, including a nearly 13 percent decrease in water intensity, 11 percent decrease in energy intensity, and a 12 percent decrease in greenhouse gas emissions intensity. One of Marriott’s key environmental goals is to achieve a 20 percent reduction in energy and water intensity by 2020. “Our sustainability strategy is critical to the growth and success of our communities, our company, and our efforts to help protect our planet’s natural resources,” said Arne Sorenson, President...

STAMFORD, CONN.—Westin Hotels & Resorts unveiled the next stage of its year-long Westin Well-Being Movement with the announcement of two new nutrition-focused partnerships with SuperChefs and The Juicery and the newest member of the brand’s Well-Being Council, dietician Ashley Koff RD.As an advocate for wellness and healthy eating, Westin teamed up with SuperChefs, a group of doctors, dentists, dieticians, chefs and other experts dedicated to educating kids on the importance and the fun of eating smart, to create The Westin Eat Well Menu for Kids. The extensive new menu, which has rolled out to properties worldwide, includes eight signature...

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA.—A month after the official launch of the Institute for Healthy Destination Accreditation (IHDA), more details about the nonprofit and its certification programs are being released. Green Lodging News spoke with Mary Ellen Rose, PhD, co-founder and Chief Science Officer of IHDA, to get more details. Already, six U.S. hotels/resorts, all inaugural founding members, have been IHDA approved. They were accredited as Approved Healthy Destinations. One property has earned Certified Healthy Destination status, a much more difficult level to reach. According to Rose, the organization expects to have 300 hotels on board by December.Unique to the IHDA’s accreditation...

YARDLEY, PA.—Lodging Magazine is accepting submissions for its first Lodging Sustainability Award. There are five categories in the competition: Individual Person; Individual Hotel Property; Hotel Brand; Hotel Supplier; and Other Corporate Entity (Hotel Group, Property Management Company, Design/Architecture/Engineering/GC Firm, Consulting Organization, Finance Organization, Association, or Other entity).According to Lodging Magazine, the Lodging Sustainability Award recognizes the contribution of individuals, groups and corporate entities who exemplify the meaning of sustainability in the hotel industry. The winners stand as role models whose work embodies the industry’s efforts to be strong advocates for corporate social responsibility in doing what’s best for both...

CHICAGO—Hyatt Hotels Corp. announced a global initiative to increase procurement of responsibly sourced seafood at Hyatt hotels, starting with an initial goal of responsibly sourcing more than 50 percent of their inventory by 2018. As a part of this effort, Hyatt will also work toward purchasing more than 15 percent of its seafood supply from fisheries or farms that have been certified by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) or the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC). This is the first phase of a long-term seafood sustainability strategy in partnership with World Wildlife Fund (WWF), a leading global conservation organization, to build...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—A webinar on carbon monoxide safety will be held for AH&LA members on Thursday, August 21, 2014, from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. (EST). The moderator will be Tony Mendez, corporate safety/security services, resort management, Bluegreen Corp. Speakers will include: Byron Briese, Rolf Jenson Associates; Tom Daly, The Hospitality Security Consulting Group; and Stacy Welch, PE, Senior Director, Fire Protection and Life Safety, Marriott International, Inc.Although incidents of carbon monoxide poisoning are rare, regular maintenance and equipment checks can help hoteliers protect both guests and employees. As with smoke alarms, there are no federal mandates or regulations governing...

NEW YORK—The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) has announced a new partnership that will expand innovative clean-energy project financing to all of New York State for commercial, industrial and multifamily buildings to help them become more competitive and cost-effective by decreasing their energy costs.Through the partnership, NYSERDA is providing approximately $1 million to the Energy Improvement Corporation (EIC) to jumpstart its Energize NY Finance program in the State over the next two years. The Energize NY Finance program uses Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy Finance (PACE) and property tax laws to provide long-term, market-rate financing...

LAS VEGAS—MGM Resorts International has released its 2013 Corporate Social Responsibility Executive Summary, highlighting the company’s continued commitment to diversity, engagement with its communities, and stewardship of environmental resources. Themed “Inspiring Our World,” the summary is available for download on the company's CSR website.“We are proud of the strides we have made over the last year in our continued efforts to fully integrate social responsibility throughout all levels of our company’s operations,” said Jim Murren, Chairman & CEO of MGM Resorts International. “We strongly believe our CSR efforts make us not only a better company; they also make us...

LONDON—TripAdvisor, the world’s largest travel website, announced the launch of the TripAdvisor GreenLeaders program in Europe to help travelers around the world plan greener trips by highlighting hotels and B&Bs engaging in environmentally-friendly practices. More than 6,000 properties around the world have so far been awarded TripAdvisor GreenLeader status. Developed in consultation with the Carbon Trust, the UK Green Building Council, the United Nations Environment Programme, and the International Tourism Partnership, qualifying hotels and B&Bs are awarded TripAdvisor GreenLeaders status based on the green practices the property has in place. A TripAdvisor survey has revealed that there is a...