ALEXANDRIA, VA.—The GBTA Foundation, the education and research foundation of the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA), has named the five winners of the Project ICARUS Gold Medal award: IHG, Symantec Corp., Sabre Holdings, Enterprise Holdings and PwC. Gold Medals are given to travel buyers and suppliers actively integrating sustainability efforts into their travel programs.The Project ICARUS Gold Medal program recognizes organizations that are taking action in the drive for greater sustainability within the travel profession. Project ICARUS is the first global travel management sustainability body, with representatives from buyers, suppliers, academics and subject matter experts from Europe, North America,...

STAMFORD, CONN.—Westin Hotels & Resorts announced that it is applying its design-driven approach to its new public space design. Designed with guests’ well-being in mind, the new lobby incorporates natural design elements, flexible and functional zoning and conveniently-located retail and grab and go areas. Westin’s new public space concept is currently on display at Westin Gaslamp Quarter in San Diego and will continue to roll out at participating properties worldwide throughout 2013. Five additional hotels are slated to feature the new concept this year including Westin Indianapolis, Westin Boston Waterfront, Westin Birmingham, Westin Georgetown and Westin Bethesda.The Vertical Garden...

BURLINGAME, CALIF.—The San Francisco Airport Marriott Waterfront Hotel has welcomed its newest and most unconventional hotel guests—six baby barn owls. Soon after discovering the owls nested on the 11th Concierge floor balcony, the hotel reached out to a wildlife expert at the San Mateo SPCA who confirmed that the owls are in fact barn owls and are protected native birds of prey.The hotel is pleased to accommodate the privacy of the baby owls and foster their growth. General manager, Clif Clark explained, “Even when we’re sold out at the San Francisco Airport Marriott Waterfront, the owl family is not...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Results of the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA) 2012 Lodging Survey provide strong evidence that the greening of the U.S. lodging industry is continuing. Funded by the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Foundation (AH&LEF) and conducted by STR, 52,155 U.S. hotel properties were polled in the survey that is conducted every two years. Similar data has been collected since 1988. There was a healthy response rate of 23 percent to this year’s survey.While most of the questions were repeated from previous years, there were new questions as well. For example, hoteliers were asked for the first time...

DENVER—Denver-based Sage Hospitality, a hotel manager, developer and owner, announced that the 150-suite SpringHill Suites Denver Downtown at Metro State is now open. Located in the heart of downtown Denver, the $45 million hotel is situated just a quick walk from the Pepsi Center, the Colorado Convention Center and the popular Larimer Square, LoDo district and 16th Street Mall.The SpringHill Suites Denver Downtown at Metro State expects to receive Silver Leadership in Energy Efficiency and Design (LEED) certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. Green features include the use of only high efficiency plumbing fixtures and low VOC paints...

NASHVILLE, TENN.—John Q. Hammons’ Embassy Suites Nashville South/Cool Springs announces the availability of the hotel’s green guest services shuttle with zero emissions. The hotel’s 7-foot-9-inch Nissan Leaf limousine is the world’s first all-electric stretch limo and replaces a traditional limo service. In addition, the hotel launched on-site guest electric-car charging stations as a part of its latest eco-friendly amenities. The 250-suite, nine-story hotel is operated by Springfield, Mo.-based John Q. Hammons Hotels & Resorts, the largest private, independent owner and manager of hotels in the United States. According to Bob Horner, general manager of Embassy Suites Nashville South/Cool Springs,...

OTTAWA, ON.—The Hotel Association of Canada (HAC) is now accepting entries for the 2012 Hall of Fame Awards of Excellence. In its ninth year the Hall of Fame Awards program continues the Association’s tradition of acknowledging the strong standards and values of those involved in and with the lodging industry. Each year the Hall of Fame Awards attracts more and more entries from members across the country. The awards program recognizes those individuals, companies or properties that have demonstrated significant accomplishments, exemplary leadership and tireless commitment to the industry in the following divisions:The Energy & Environment Award—Recognizes lodging properties...

CONCORD, CALIF.—It got official as it can get earlier this year on June 5. It was on that day that the Hilton Concord in Concord, Calif., was designated the Sustainability Flagship by Interstate Hotels & Resorts in a proclamation released by the Office of the Mayor of the City of Concord. The 329-key hotel was selected by Interstate to be the green prototype of what could be rolled out across the company’s other five wholly-owned and managed hotels. “Our plan is to implement similar programs and technologies at our other five wholly-owned hotels as part of our annual planned capital...

TUCSON, ARIZ.—Noted green building expert, author, water crisis guru and sustainability planning consultant, Jerry Yudelson has released a three-part video series entitled “Water Wars” on his YouTube video channel. The videos are based on Yudelson’s book, “Dry Run: Preventing the Next Urban Water Crisis,” which outlines how cities can prepare for a coming era of water scarcity throughout the United States and much of the world, brought about by global climate change, increasing urban populations and a growing “water footprint” from human activity. The green building consultant spoke about the “Water Wars” videos, by saying, “What we are trying to accomplish...

CHICAGO—Hyatt announced details of its new organic and seasonal children’s menu created exclusively for Hyatt by renowned food pioneer and chef, Alice Waters. The new menu, featuring a three-course organic meal, marks the first hotel project for Waters and complements Hyatt’s “For Kids By Kids” menu, providing children more nutritious, fresh and interactive offerings. The new children’s food and beverage offerings at Hyatt are grounded in the brand’s philosophy Food. Thoughtfully Sourced. Carefully Served., promoting healthy people, a healthy planet and healthy communities, and will be offered in all full-service Hyatt hotels and resorts throughout the United States and...