ORLANDO, FLA.—The voice of the consumer just got louder during the only comprehensive North American hotel inspections and ratings performed by experts. AAA has updated its Approval Requirements & Diamond Rating Guidelines for lodgings, the blueprint for assigning ratings of One to Five AAA Diamonds following successful on-site inspections at more than 30,000 hotels throughout North America. The new guidelines incorporate member expectations regarding hotel fees, recognize emerging shifts in design trends and reflect a more personalized approach to enhancing guest comfort and satisfaction.“Traveler expectations and travel industry capabilities continue to evolve,” said Michael Petrone, director AAA Tourism Information...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) announced that the total footprint of commercial projects certified under its LEED green building program surpassed two billion square feet. An additional seven billion square feet is currently in the pipeline across the globe as registered projects.“In communities around the globe, leaders from every sector of the building industry are reinventing their local landscapes with buildings that enliven and bolster the health of our environment, communities and local economies,” said Rick Fedrizzi, president, CEO & Founding Chair, USGBC. “The journey to this milestone has energized our economy-funneling $554 billion annually into the...

NORWALK, CONN.—HEI Hotels & Resorts chairman Gary Mendell announced the addition of a corporate social responsibility initiative to their Managers-In-Training (MIT) Program. As part of the comprehensive training program, the managers-in-training will complete a project focusing on one of the key areas of HEI’s corporate social responsibility platform.“To HEI, hospitality means much more than just providing a comfortable and enjoyable experience for our guests,” said HEI chairman Gary Mendell. “We passionately believe in actively supporting the communities in which we work, caring for our associates, building meaningful relationships with our partners, and reducing our impact on the environment. As...

BETHESDA, MD.—Courtyard by Marriott is rolling out its new lobby and room design in Kansas City, Mo. This is the latest Courtyard in the area featuring the “refreshing business” makeover. The 123-room Courtyard by Marriott Kansas City at Briarcliff is scheduled to open in early September as a LEED certified property. The hotel will operate as a Marriott franchise, owned and managed by Capital Management of Overland Park, Kan.Located 10 minutes from downtown, four miles from the Charles B. Wheeler Downtown Airport and15 miles from the Kansas City International Airport, the Courtyard by Marriott Kansas City at Briarcliff offers...

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.—Advance registration is now open for the 97th annual International Hotel, Motel + Restaurant Show (IHMRS) and 3rd annual Boutique Design New York (BDNY). Taking place this November at New York City’s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, IHMRS and BDNY will collectively present nearly 1,000 hospitality industry suppliers and attract some 30,000 trade attendees. A discounted registration fee of $30 is available through October 5, 2012. After this date and on-site, the rate increases to $50. Registration for either show offers admission to both markets.The $30 early registration rate is applicable for events taking place November 11...

NEW YORK—Corporate taxpayers that have invested in renewable energy or “green” equipment or systems may be overlooking an opportunity to receive significant government reimbursements in lieu of certain investment tax credits under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, according to Paul Lo, director with WTP Advisors’ Global Business Incentives practice. “Companies that have placed renewable energy systems in service or have begun construction on such systems in between 2009 to 2011 may qualify for a substantial rebate, but they need to begin the reimbursement process now,” says Lo. Lo was recently the guest speaker at a U.S....

FREEPORT, MAINE—The ninth annual Hospitality for Habitat fundraiser sponsored by the Maine Innkeepers Assn. (MEIA) for Habitat for Humanity was the most successful to date, announced Greg Dugal, MEIA executive director. Dugal presented Nicole Bosarge of Greater Portland Habitat for Humanity with a $17,000 check, representing the proceeds from this year’s fundraiser to be divided among the Maine chapters of the organization, to help build homes for deserving Maine families.Hospitality for Habitat is a spring program which allows guests to stay at participating Maine Innkeepers’ properties for 50 percent off the regular room rate in exchange for a $35...

THE PUEBLO OF SANTA ANA, N.M.—The Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort & Spa, located on the Pueblo of Santa Ana between Santa Fe and Albuquerque in New Mexico, has been named the Organics Recycler of the Year by the New Mexico Recycling Coalition. The award recognizes individuals, business, and communities that work to reduce waste and support recycling and composting in New Mexico. The resort was named the Organics Recycler of the Year for its green and eco-friendly initiatives including its green team, a group of associates dedicated to making environmentally conscious decisions for the resort. The green team works to...

OCEAN CITY, MD.—Executives at Real Hospitality Group (RHG), one of the nation’s largest third party hotel management firms, announced the launch of their Corporate Responsibility platform. Recently, RHG become the first hotel management company in the United States to sign the Tourism Child-Protection Code of Conduct with ECPAT, USA, a nonprofit organization that advocates for policies to protect sexually exploited children.“As a leader in the hospitality industry, Real Hospitality Group is proud to use our sphere of influence to do whatever we can to protect the most vulnerable,” says Rick Day, COO at Real Hospitality Group. “Responsibility to our...

NATIONAL REPORT—At the Bardessono in Yountville, Calif., wood from reclaimed Claro walnut and Bay laurel trees form desks and doors. At the new Jekyll Island Convention Center in Jekyll Island, Ga., reclaimed pine from South Georgia was used to create the flooring in the Ben Porter Salon event room. When the Hotel Vermont opens next April in Burlington, Vt., the hotel lobby will feature reclaimed antique red oak flooring. Using reclaimed wood in flooring, furniture and for other uses is becoming increasingly common in projects as more suppliers collect and revitalize this wood from sources ranging from deconstructed barns...