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Whether an industry announcement, or a hotel accomplishment, Green Lodging News reports on the most up-to-date news and offers a unique perspective on trends—all with the purpose of making your company more profitable. Got news or a story idea to share? We frequently post contributed articles here. Contact Glenn Hasek, editor, at (813) 510-3868, or by e-mail at: greenlodgingnews@gmail.com.

News & Features

Home News & Features
Whether an industry announcement, or a hotel accomplishment, Green Lodging News reports on the most up-to-date news and offers a unique perspective on trends—all with the purpose of making your company more profitable. Got news or a story idea to share? We frequently post contributed articles here. Contact Glenn Hasek, editor, at (813) 510-3868, or by e-mail at: greenlodgingnews@gmail.com.

Anaheim Convention Center Awarded LEED Certification

ANAHEIM, CALIF.—The Anaheim Convention Center, the largest convention center on the west coast, was recently awarded the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification, and is one of only 14 convention centers in the country to earn this distinction. LEED is the lead rating system of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) for designing, constructing and operating the world’s greenest, most energy efficient, and high performing buildings.   “The Anaheim Convention Center continues to remain current, and we are very pleased with the LEED certification awarded to the Convention Center,” said City of Anaheim Mayor Curt Pringle. “Upgrades to and...

Marriott, PDG Realty Agreement Will Result in 50 Green Fairfield Hotels in Brazil

BETHESDA, MD.—Marriott International, Inc. has reached an important milestone in the creation of a platform for multi-unit hotel growth in Brazil with the announcement of a preferred partnership with PDG Realty for the development of 50 Fairfield by Marriott hotels throughout Brazil. The hotels in this partnership will be constructed with environmentally friendly design for greater energy efficiency. Additionally, Marriott and PDG Realty have agreed to make financial contributions for each hotel constructed to support Amazon rain forest preservation through the Amazonas Sustainable Foundation (FAS). “We are excited to partner with PDG Realty,” said Arne Sorenson, president and chief operating...

Colin Powell Opens up USGBC’s Greenbuild Conference

CHICAGO—The U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC) Greenbuild International Conference & Expo officially started on Wednesday, November 17 in Chicago as retired Gen. Colin Powell addressed a crowd of 10,000 in the opening keynote hall with a message of leadership and optimism for the future. Powell presented the Greenbuild 2010 opening keynote address at a plenary session that also included a discussion between political pundits Mary Matalin and James Carville and remarks from USGBC president, CEO and founding chair Rick Fedrizzi. “Leadership has to be passionate,” General Colin Powell said. “Each person involved must believe they have a purpose.”  Powell’s address...

Atmosphere Hospitality Builds on Adoba Concept, Adds Select Service Option

DENVER—Atmosphere Hospitality Management, which introduced its full service, 180-suite Adoba Eco Hotel & Suites prototype earlier this year, has added a 112-room select service option for developers called Adoba Eco Inn. Every Adoba Eco Inn, like each Adoba Eco Hotel & Suites, will be required to achieve Gold or Platinum certification through the U.S. Green Business Council’s LEED certification process for new construction. The Adoba Eco Inn prototype features the brand’s green “DNA”—Distinctively New Attributes—such as Adoba Smart Solar Roofing, A-Gemini Alternative Wind Energy Solution, the A-Gemini Total Technology Property Management System, and the Journey Rewards program. “The development and...

Hampton’s Save-A-Landmark Program Hits 10-Year Mark

MCLEAN, VA.—Hampton Hotels recently celebrated the 10th anniversary of its award-winning employee-volunteer program, Save-A-Landmark. Since the program launched in 2000, more than 1,500 hotel employees have spent more than 8,000 hours aiding in restoration projects for historic and cultural landmarks throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico. Hampton started the Save-A-Landmark program as a way for hotels to give back to local communities. At each event, the volunteers from nearby Hampton hotels from hotel owners and general managers to housekeepers and front desk agents, take time out of their busy schedules of serving guests to serve their communities and assist...

John Russell Partners with Lodging Veterans, Auromatrix to Form Advaya

NEW YORK—Former AH&LA chairman John Russell is partnering with Auromatrix Group from India and a team of lodging veterans to launch Advaya Hospitality. Speaking  before an audience of industry insiders at the International Hotel Motel + Restaurant Show (IHMRS) in New York, Russell said the new global company aims to bring the next generation of lifestyle hotels and related products to major cities worldwide. The hotels will be green properties incorporating technologies ranging from key card based energy management systems to wind and solar power. “Everything we do will be with a focus on sustainability,” Russell told Green Lodging News...

IHMRS, BDNY Announce 2010 Editor’s Choice Award Winners

NEW YORK—Nine exhibitors were honored with Editors’ Choice Awards during the opening ceremonies of the 95th annual International Hotel, Motel + Restaurant Show (IHMRS) and the inaugural Boutique Design New York (BDNY), Sunday, November 14, 2010, at New York City’s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. The awards program recognizes best new products within the categories of design, equipment & supplies, guest amenities, linens, technology, as well as an eco-friendly equivalent to each of these categories. From the nine winners, the Kenneth F. Hine “Best of Show” Award also was selected. The 2010 Editors’ Choice Award winners are: Green Design—GreenChance for EcoSmart...

Hilton Asheville Earns LEED Silver Certification

ASHEVILLE, N.C.—The Hilton Asheville Biltmore Park announced that it has been awarded LEED Silver certification established by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and verified by the Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI). LEED is the nation’s preeminent program for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings. “The Hilton Asheville is a great example of how to combine sustainability with exceptional features and amenities to create a memorable guest experience,” said Ron Storto, vice president of hotel development with Biltmore Farms LLC. “From a destination spa and fine dining to eco-conscious products and operations, this new addition to...

Ground Broken for Washington Marriott Marquis Hotel

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Mayor Adrian M. Fenty and the Washington Convention and Sports Authority (WCSA) broke ground Wednesday, November 10 on the Washington Marriott Marquis. Joining them for this occasion were Representative Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), city officials, representatives from WCSA’s board of directors, Quadrangle Development, Capstone Development, Marriott International, Inc. and Destination DC. The ceremony took place on the construction site at Ninth Street and Massachusetts Avenue, directly adjacent to the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. The hotel, which was designed to earn LEED Silver (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification, is scheduled to open in spring 2014. “This is...

First Bed and Breakfast Joins Oklahoma’s ECO Program

OKLAHOMA CITY—Encouraging Conservation in Oklahoma (ECO) announces its newest partnership in sustainability with Tulsa’s Inn at Woodward Park, the first bed and breakfast to qualify for a gold ECO certification. The inn, a renovated 1920s property located in the Swan Lake district of Tulsa, achieved a gold rating by documenting their current sustainable practices and committing to several improvements throughout the year. Their goals include eliminating unnecessary waste and reducing energy consumption by removing plastic water bottles from their operations and monitoring thermostat temperatures. The inn also contributes to Clean the World, a nonprofit that collects “gently-used” soaps from hotels...