NEW ORLEANS—In recognition of its sustainability achievements, the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center (NOENMCC) has earned its second Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification, making it one of only two convention centers in the country to be certified Gold twice in a row. LEED is a globally recognized building rating system from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) that provides a framework for healthy, highly efficient, green buildings based on standards for energy efficiency, water conservation, indoor air quality and waste reduction. After earning its first LEED certification in 2022, a big milestone for its sustainability program, the...

INTERNATIONAL REPORT—The HVAC industry stands at a critical juncture, facing substantial regulatory pressures aimed at reducing its environmental impact through the phased elimination of high Global Warming Potential (GWP) refrigerants. Driven by international agreements and local environmental guidelines, manufacturers, suppliers, and service providers are swiftly transitioning towards more sustainable alternatives. This shift is fundamentally reshaping compressor technologies, retrofitting procedures, and lifecycle management strategies for HVAC systems. Globally, regulatory bodies like the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the European Union’s F-Gas Regulation, and international environmental protocols, such as the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol, mandate a significant reduction in refrigerants...

NATIONAL REPORT—In today’s lodging industry, guests are more than travelers—they’re savvy consumers with high expectations for cleanliness, convenience, and corporate responsibility. Whether staying at an upscale resort, boutique inn, or eco-friendly hotel, visitors are increasingly judging establishments by the cleanliness and sustainability of frequently used spaces: the public restrooms. Restrooms, which are interspersed throughout lodging venues—including hotel lobbies, restaurants/bars, spas and fitness centers and convention/event centers—represent one of the first guest encounters that hotel patrons experience. It is vital for these high-traffic spaces to be clean and stocked, easy to use and aesthetically pleasing. According to Bradley’s Healthy Handwashing Survey, 84...

MIAMI—The Global Wellness Summit (GWS) announced that its 19th annual conference will take place in Dubai from November 18 to 21, 2025. The event will focus on the theme “Longevity Through a Wellness Lens,” addressing the growing emphasis on longevity and health span within the wellness industry. This marks the first time the Summit will be held in the Middle East’s Gulf Region. The conference will bring together leaders from various sectors, including wellness companies, healthcare professionals, investors, and policymakers. Discussions will cover the future of wellness, innovations, and evidence-based practices, with a particular focus on the role of wellness...

ROME, ITALY—At the luxury and ultraluxury levels, what we see throughout the world is not just lavish amenities and impeccable service, but a dedication by the brands, developers, owners and onsite teams to steward the local community, cherishing its past while responsibly guiding its present for a better future. This passion for culture, for history, for the people and for the people that give a property its sense of place is not something that can be fully quantified in a financial statement, and yet it is precisely the reason for why a hotel is one of the best in the...

HONG KONG—The Hari Hong Kong is about to have a shuckin’ good time with the launch of “Oyster Tuesday”, anchored by fresh, seasonal oysters paired with warm sake, whisky, bubbles and more. Standing 30 storeys tall on eclectic Lockhart Road, the elegant hotel’s contemporary Japanese restaurant Zoku on the second floor hosts the indulgent dining experience every Tuesday from 6 to 9 p.m. Oyster Tuesday is underscored by 90 minutes of free flow oysters served with lime and ponzu. The menu also features golden fried oyster, avocado and panca chili “makimono” sushi, and “kake udon” noodles with oysters, smoked herring caviar,...

HONOLULU—Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort announced that its Tapa Tower has been LEED certified, becoming the first LEED-certified tower within the Park Hotels & Resorts portfolio. LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), is the world’s most widely used green building rating system and a global symbol of excellence. LEED-certified buildings promote sustainability through practices that improve environmental and human health. “We see the achievement of this LEED certification as another way we get to take care of this place we call home,” said Debi Bishop, Managing Director of Hilton Hawaiian...

SHAWANO, WIS.—NEWH, Inc. (Network of Executive Women in Hospitality), the premier organization dedicated to scholarships, education, mentorship, and networking in the hospitality industry, has named Victoria Labalme, internationally renowned speaker, performing artist, and communication strategist, as keynote speaker of its biennial NEWH Leadership Conference, March 26 to 28, 2026 at the Westin Washington, D.C. Downtown. “NEWH Leadership Conference represents a culmination of the hospitality industry’s energetic leadership and innovation,” said Chris Tucker, CEO of NEWH, Inc. “We’re thrilled to welcome Victoria’s vibrant presentation approach and are confident that it will provide our attendees with an insightful and engaging look at how...

OSLO, NORWAY—Radisson Hotel Group announces the opening of Radisson RED Oslo City Centre, A Verified Net Zero Hotel. The hotel is one of the first two hotels globally to achieve Verified Net Zero status. The hotel offers 118 reimagined guestrooms, vibrant social spaces, flexible meeting facilities, and a playful twist on Scandinavian minimalism. Marking a major milestone in sustainable hospitality, the property reflects Radisson Hotel Group’s commitment to reaching Net Zero by 2050, with the property already meeting the 2040 requirements of the Net Zero Methodology for Hotels—as verified by independent third party TÜV Rheinland. Fresh from a full transformation of the...

TAMPA, FLA.—WITT (Wellness in Travel & Tourism) and the Wellness Tourism Association (WTA) have partnered to launch the Core Wellness Standards for Hotels, a first-of-its-kind global initiative designed to help hotels integrate authentic, holistic and high-quality wellness into every guest touchpoint. Developed with guidance from the WITT Standards Advisory Committee, a global assembly of experts in hospitality, fitness, nutrition, sustainability, and travel, the standards set clear, measurable benchmarks to help hotels elevate their wellness offerings and stand out in a competitive market. Drawn from WITT’s 100+ rigorous certification criteria under five essential pillars, the Core Wellness Standards represent the fundamental requirements for a property to...