ATLANTA—Global Soap Project, the nonprofit organization focused on educating, empowering, and improving the hygiene and health of vulnerable populations around the world, has announced the opening of a new 7,000 square-foot manufacturing facility in Las Vegas.The facility, which is double the size of its original Atlanta plant, has relocated to Las Vegas to more efficiently process the donations of used soap from more than 150,000-plus hotel rooms, including a large concentration in the Las Vegas area.Global Soap Project accepts used soap in bulk from hotels, and then processes them into large bars, which are distributed to 32 of the...

LAKE PLACID, N.Y.—Surrounded by the six million protected acres of the Adirondack Park—the largest publicly protected area in the contiguous U.S. states—Whiteface Lodge is mindful of the very special place it occupies in the world. From the timber used in its construction in 2005, all of which was found on-property, to its reuse of dying trees on its land as mulch and in landscaping, the rustic resort continues to strengthen its conservation commitment as awareness increases and technology improves. Among its recent meaningful green measures:•    A total of 7,993 bars of soap (and counting) recycled and distributed to families...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The International Code Council (ICC), ASHRAE, the American Institute of Architects (AIA), the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IES) and the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) announce the signing of a memorandum to collaborate on the development of Standard 189.1, the International Green Construction Code (IgCC) and the LEED green building program.The cooperation aims to create a comprehensive framework for jurisdictions looking to implement and adopt green building regulations and codes and/or provide incentives for voluntary leadership programs such as LEED.The agreement outlines the development, maintenance and implementation of new versions of ANSI/ASHRAE/IES/USGBC Standard 189.1, Standard for...

CINCINNATI—Attendee registration is now open for Boutique Design New York (BDNY), the award-winning trade fair and conference tailored exclusively to hospitality design professionals. The event will take place November 9 to 10 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. Charting double-digit growth each year since its 2010 debut, BDNY now features 500+ exhibitors and encompasses 70,000 square feet of exhibit space—already sold out for 2014. BDNY’s dynamic growth was recognized by Trade Show Executive magazine’s Fastest 50 Awards & Summit, held in Chicago in May. BDNY swept the awards, ranking No. 1 in Percentage Growth in Exhibit Space as well as...

HONOLULU, HAWAII—The Hawaiian Islands represent a wide diversity of ecosystems and environments, including areas of breathtaking natural beauty as well as densely populated coastal cities. These unique environments are already changing under the influence of climate change from the effects of increasing temperatures, decreasing rainfall, rising seas, coastal erosion, land use and development changes, and increasing demands on natural resources. What can we expect in the future, and how can we best prepare? A new report titled, “Climate Change Impacts in Hawaii: A summary of climate change and its impacts to Hawaii’s ecosystems and communities,” produced by the University...

REVERE, MASS.—Mohegan Sun Massachusetts is expected to be among the greenest resort casinos in the nation, with one of the highest LEED scores of any such facility in the industry. This is according to points earned from the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) certification program that recognizes building best practices and scores various elements and features.The Massachusetts Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA MA) has also commended Mohegan Sun Massachusetts, calling it “markedly superior in every design aspect” compared to a Wynn Resorts proposal for Everett, Mass.In a letter to the...

SHELTON, CONN.—The International Centre, one of the largest privately-owned trade and consumer show and convention facilities in Canada, joins a growing list of world class venues to be certified to the event industry’s global sustainability standard. Located in Mississauga, Ontario, The International Centre achieved Level One certification to the ASTM Standard pertaining to the evaluation and selection of venues for environmentally sustainable meetings, events, trade shows and conferences. The venue standard is one of nine standards introduced by the meetings, conventions, exhibitions and events industry to provide event planners and suppliers with specifications for producing events in a more...

DOVER, DEL.—In ongoing efforts to promote green awareness, Dover Downs Hotel & Casino will host the first Mid-Atlantic Green Hospitality Conference on September 15 and 16, a first-of-its-kind opportunity to unite foodservice and lodging facilities, tourism agencies, “eco” product suppliers and consultants around the common cause of maintaining and promoting environmentally friendly lodging and foodservice practices.The conference is the latest in Dover Downs Hotel & Casino’s conservation initiatives in connection with its “Green Hotel” designation—the first in Delaware—by Delaware Green Lodging, a joint initiative by the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control and the Delaware Hotel & Lodging...

STAMFORD, CONN.—Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. announced the opening of the 138-room Element Harrison-Newark, the brand’s second hotel in New Jersey. The hotel is owned by Harrison Hotel 1, an entity of Ironstate Holdings, LLC and The Pegasus Group, and managed by Crescent Hotels & Resorts.“Element Harrison-Newark is an exciting addition to the Element portfolio and will provide a smart, sustainable lodging option for travelers to the bustling Newark metropolitan area,” said Brian McGuinness, Senior Vice President of Specialty Select Brands for Starwood. “On track to double its portfolio in the next two years, Element offers guests a...

PARSIPPANY, N.J.—Wyndham Worldwide, one of the world’s largest hospitality companies, received U.S. Veterans Magazine’s 2014 Best of the Best Award for its supplier diversity program and commitment to supporting veteran-owned businesses. This is the first time the company received the award.“Supporting veterans is an integral part of the culture and an aspect of what has made Wyndham Worldwide a successful company,” said Jose Nido, Vice President of Global Supplier Diversity, Wyndham Worldwide. “We appreciate the tremendous value veteran-owned businesses, as well as veterans, bring to our team. Cultivating and expanding diversity throughout the company, including our supply partners, is...