COLUMBIA, S.C.—“It just happened that way,” says Hema Patel, in regard to her company’s Holiday Inn & Suites Columbia-Airport opening on Earth Day 2010. Planned or not, it certainly was appropriate that the five-story, 122-room hotel opened on a day that recognizes the birth of the modern day environmental movement. The hotel, which is owned by Patel and her husband’s Capital Hospitality, LLC and operated by the couple’s Courtesy Management Inc. of Orangeburg, S.C., is expected to earn LEED Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council in early 2012. Patel says the intent initially was not to build...

ATLANTA—The Atlanta Airport Marriott has acquired two additional compressed natural gas (CNG) shuttle vehicles for its guest operations as part of the property’s participation in the Clean Cities Atlanta Petroleum Reduction Program. Clean Cities Atlanta is a government-industry partnership that works to reduce America’s petroleum consumption in the transportation sector. The alternative fuel shuttle buses join the property’s existing fleet of two compressed natural gas (CNG) and two fossil fuel vehicles. “We remain committed to reducing our carbon footprint by utilizing renewable natural gas rather than fossil fuel, helping to maintain a clean, safe environment for everyone,” said general...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. cable industry announced a new initiative dedicated to improving the energy efficiency of set-top boxes and other devices and developing advanced cable-enabled services designed to promote innovative energy conservation measures. A key element of the initiative is the “CableLabs—Energy Lab,” a new facility within the cable industry’s R&D consortium that will concentrate exclusively on improving energy efficiency, the National Cable & Telecommunications Association (NCTA) and CableLabs announced. The energy initiative will promote the development, testing, and deployment of technologies that will enable cable subscribers to reduce and manage energy consumption, including establishing new requirements for both cable...

MCLEAN, VA.—Hilton Worldwide announced a partnership with Good360 to connect hotels donating high-quality used goods to charitable organizations that can repurpose and serve needs within their communities. By utilizing LightStay, Hilton Worldwide’s proprietary sustainability performance management platform, all of the more than 3,750 Hilton Worldwide hotels globally will be able to enter goods available for donation into a tracking system that will link to Good360’s online product donation marketplace and its more than 22,000 charities that can claim items as needed. Additionally, Hilton Worldwide’s group meeting clients can track donations entered by Hilton Worldwide-branded properties in the event...

TORONTO—The Metro Toronto Convention Centre (MTCC) reported the results of its greening efforts for the U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC) Greenbuild International Conference & Expo recently held at the MTCC. Even for the world’s largest conference & expo dedicated to green buildings, the results were impressive, with a significantly reduced footprint achieved through an unprecedented 95 percent waste diversion rate, energy and water conservation and an ever increasing commitment to greening through the education of MTCC employees. The premier event featuring three days of extensive educational programming, workshops, a vast exhibition floor and ample networking events attracted more than 23,000...

CANCUN, MEXICO—Cancun has become one of the most popular vacation destinations in the world. The sandy beaches, the blue water and the warm weather have brought tourists back year after year. Understanding that this natural beauty is extremely fragile, the JW Marriott Cancun Resort & Spa has started important green initiatives to ensure tourists can enjoy Cancun for years to come. This resort in Cancun, Mexico, has introduced a number of important environmentally conscious programs this year. Many of them focus on cutting down waste from the Cancun hotel. For instance, the JW Marriott Cancun Resort has begun an aggressive...

NATIONAL REPORT—Items that plug into the walls of your hotel using a three-pronged plug can eat up energy in three ways: while operating, while using standby power, or even while they are off. Yes, some electronic devices draw some power even when they are turned off. This is commonly referred to as vampire power. Other than waiting for your monthly utility bill, how do you really know how much energy plugged-in items are consuming? At least two companies—P3 International Corp. and ThinkEco, Inc.—are making it easier to not only measure electricity consumption in real time but also control it...

LAS VEGAS—MGM Resorts International has earned top honors from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for outstanding achievement in food waste recycling programs at the company’s Las Vegas Strip resorts. The company will be presented with the EPA’s 2011 WasteWise Gold Achievement-Food Recovery Award as part of the agency’s annual competition, which recognizes public and private entities for their environmental sustainability efforts. The EPA will give Gold Achievement awards in 12 sustainability categories.   The EPA WasteWise Gold Achievement Award is the third national award that MGM Resorts has earned for its recycling program. The Glass Packaging Institute recognized MGM Resorts...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The National Restaurant Association has formed an Executive Study Group to address the many complex issues surrounding Supply Chain Management. Part of the Association’s Executive Study Group conference series, the Supply Chain Management group aims to facilitate dialog and best practice exchange around issues such as increasing commodity and wholesale food prices, sourcing of ingredients, and traceability of products. Food and beverage purchases alone by the restaurant industry are expected to exceed $200 billion this year, underscoring the importance of addressing supply chain management.  The group will address the full spectrum of the field, including purchasing, distribution, logistics,...

SANTA MONICA, CALIF.—Shore Hotel, Santa Monica’s newest hotel, announces a progressive concierge service that makes green living easy and accessible. The Green Concierge is the hotel’s own local expert on all things sustainable and eco-friendly. From activities to services, transportation to nightlife, Shore Hotel’s Green Concierge is an innovative resource for guests going green in Santa Monica. With the creation of the Green Concierge program, Shore Hotel has taken eco-conscious service to the next level. Committed to providing guests with an exemplary experience, while promoting all things eco-friendly and sustainable, the Green Concierge ensures guests can live the good life...