FREEPORT, MAINE—Innkeepers all over the state of Maine will once again cut their rates by 50 percent in May to support “Hospitality for Habitat”, an annual Maine Innkeepers Association (MEIA) program designed to raise funds for Habitat for Humanity, announced MEIA executive director, Greg Dugal. This year participating innkeepers will reduce their room rates by half between April 25 and May 23, 2012 for any guest willing to write a tax deductible, donation check made out to Habitat for Humanity for $35. Hospitality for Habitat has raised more than $68,000 to help build homes for deserving Maine families since the...

PHOENIX—If someone were to make a list of the most visionary hotel owners in the United States, Ben Bethel would have to be on it. He may not own and operate the greenest hotel in America—The Clarendon Hotel in Phoenix—but he is determined to take giant steps to get his boutique property to that point. Take exterior lighting as one example. A switch from high-pressure sodium to LED lighting reduced wattage from 65,000 to just 250. A mini-split system for heating and cooling is saving Bethel $9,000 in electricity and water each month, and a switch to amenity dispensers...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) announced that the third public comment period for the proposed 2012 update to its LEED green building program will open March 1, 2012. The comment period, which will close on March 20, marks the start of the LEED 2012 program delivery process.“LEED sits at the core of the green building movement, and is critical in realizing our collective mission,” said Scot Horst, senior vice president of LEED, USGBC. “LEED’s strength comes from its continuous evolution. This continuous improvement is the outcome of thousands of technical volunteers working to develop the program and...

AUSTIN, TEXAS—Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP) and the GUESTROOM 20X Task Force, a group of hospitality technology leaders and experts, are searching for the latest and near-future technologies for the newest version of GUESTROOM 20X. The 2012 version of GUESTROOM 20X, a special exhibit showcasing the most innovative technologies for the guestroom, debuts at the 2012 Hospitality Industry Technology Exposition and Conference June 26 to 28 at the Baltimore Convention Center in Baltimore, Md. “One of the greatest successes of GUESTROOM 20X is that it has opened dialogue amongst industry professionals on technologies in guestrooms,” said Frank Wolfe, CAE,...

RALEIGH, N.C.—Hyatt Hotels & Resorts and Southern States Management announced the opening of Hyatt Place Raleigh West/RBC Center, one of the first LEED certified hotel buildings in the Raleigh area. As a part of the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification process, Hyatt Place Raleigh West/RBC Center boasts a variety of features intended to increase environmental sustainability, including: electric car charging stations, 30 solar panels to generate hot water, LED lighting throughout the hotel, energy efficient HVAC systems, motion activated thermostats in all 132 guestrooms, water efficient landscaping, solar powered trash compactors, and a hotel transportation van...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—NEWH The Hospitality Industry Network, the not-for-profit business networking and education organization in hospitality, will host its quarterly NEWH Regional Tradeshow in Bethesda, Md., on Friday March 16 at the Bethesda North Marriott Hotel & Conference Center. Each NEWH Regional Tradeshow provides a unique opportunity for clients in key major metropolitan areas to meet with existing and new suppliers showcasing their newest products and services in an intimate business casual tabletop format. Attendees can catch up on all the latest offerings in hotel, resort, spa, healthcare, restaurant and lounge contract furnishings. The NEWH DC Metro Chapter will host a pre-show...

NATIONAL REPORT—All Elements and Alofts have them. So do all Home2 Suites by Hilton properties. Drury Hotels Company is in the process of rolling them out to its branded properties and Four Points by Sheraton branded hotels will have them in their guestrooms by the end of this year. Many other properties either have them or are testing them. What they all have or will have are amenity dispensers. Replacing or complementing the small amenity soaps, shampoos, conditioners, bath gels and lotions that travelers are used to, amenity dispensers can reduce amenity-related costs significantly and dramatically stem the flow...

LAS VEGAS—MGM Resorts International announced that as part of its continuing commitment to diversity and inclusion, the company has expanded the scope of its industry-leading Supplier Diversity Program for suppliers, contractors and professional service providers. The MGM Resorts Supplier Diversity Program now includes businesses owned by veterans, disabled and lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT) individuals, as well as minority-owned, women-owned and disadvantaged business enterprises (MWDBEs).“This expansion of our Supplier Diversity Program was adopted to broaden the network of businesses who participate in our company’s commerce,” said Jim Murren, chairman and CEO of MGM Resorts International. “Not only does...

ATLANTA—The Atlanta Airport Marriott Gateway, adjacent to one of the world’s busiest U.S. airports and home to the Georgia International Convention Center, recently earned Silver LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification from the United States Green Building Council (USGBC). The eco-savvy, 403-room property is among the greenest hotels in the city and is one of only 41 LEED Silver hotels for new construction in the United States to earn this level of accreditation. “We are proud of this outstanding achievement in being recognized as an environmental leader,” said Robert Woolridge, general manager. “Our contributions in making the...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that it will provide $9.8 million in grants to 38 states, territories and tribes to help protect the health of swimmers at America’s beaches. The agency also launched an improved website for beach advisories and closings, which will allow the public to more quickly and easily access the most current water quality and pollution testing information for more than 6,000 U.S. beaches. The website, called BEACON, has the capability to update as frequently as every two hours based on new data provided by states, territories and tribes. Users will have access to...