SOCHI, RUSSIA—The state company responsible for developing the world’s largest mountain skiing resort system in southern Russia at a cost of $15 billion has publicly unveiled the draft policy principles and advisory council concept that will guide its efforts toward reconciling planned economic development with the requirements of an ecologically sensitive region, which will also host the 2014 Winter Olympic Games. “The North Caucasus is one of the last untouched mountain areas on the planet and represents a unique natural treasure for Russia and the rest of the world,” said Alexei Nevsky, CEO of OJSC Northern Caucasus Resorts Company (NCRC)....

TUCSON, ARIZ.—As the biggest opening to hit Tucson since Sol Casinos launched Casino Del Sol 10 years ago, the Casino Del Sol Resort, Spa and Conference Center knows the expectations are high. Seeking to not only meet those high expectations, but raise them, Sol Casinos announced its 215-room, 161,000-square-foot resort, opening on November 11, 2011, has earned inclusion in the Arizona Hotel & Lodging Association’s Certified Green Lodging Program. To become certified under this program, properties must achieve a minimum of 150 points in 15 categories, which outline green initiatives in every aspect of the property, from the administrative offices...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC) next update to the LEED green building program, coined LEED 2012, will include updates to the Materials & Resources (MR) credit category. The updates reflect thousands of write-in comments received through the first LEED public comment period and include changes to existing LEED credit categories as well as two new credit categories, Integrated Process (IP) and Performance (PF). The second public comment period for LEED 2012 wrapped up on September 14, 2011. Public comment periods are part of the continuous development process of the LEED program. The Materials & Resources (MR) credit category,...

PARSIPPANY, N.J.—Wyndham Worldwide, one of the world’s largest hospitality companies, has again been named one of the 100 Best Companies by Working Mother magazine. The annual list recognizes top companies providing family-driven programs and benefits, with 100 percent of this year’s winning companies offering flexible hours, telecommuting, paid maternity leave, and employee assistance programs. “We are a family-oriented company providing great family travel experiences, so it is only fitting that we are also one of the best places for working moms to build their careers,” says Mary Falvey, executive vice president and chief human resources officer, Wyndham Worldwide. “With more than...

NATIONAL REPORT—After two years of declining revenues and profits, U.S. hotels turned the corner in 2010. According to the 2011 edition of Trends in the Hotel Industry published by PKF Hospitality Research (PKR-HR), the average hotel in the nation achieved a 4.8 percent increase in total revenue during 2010. While 70 percent of the properties in the Trends sample enjoyed an increase in total revenue in 2010, only 60 percent were able to convert that into more money on the bottom line. Previous analysis conducted by PKF-HR has found that hotel managers struggle to control costs during the initial stages...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Grammy award-winning band, Maroon 5 will perform for more than 25,000 members of the green building community at the upcoming Greenbuild International Conference & Expo, hosted by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). Greenbuild, the world’s largest conference and expo dedicated to green building, will take place October 4 to 7 in Toronto. “We’re thrilled to host one of music’s biggest bands, Maroon 5, for what will be an unforgettable evening of inspiration and celebration,” said Kimberly Lewis, vice president, Conferences & Events, USGBC. “The green building community has so much to celebrate, and there is no better place...

MILTON, N.Y.—The recent opening of Henry’s Farm to Table restaurant at , in the 300-year-old Hudson River-side hamlet of Milton, N.Y., completes the property’s evolution from charming bed and breakfast to country chic resort—one with a decidedly green sensibility. The new contemporary American 60-seat dining destination restaurant embraces the locavore movement by sourcing locally to showcase the bounty of the Hudson Valley. Indeed, Henry’s Farm to Table reflects its name literally since much of the produce and eggs used by executive chef Paul Kelly comes from Buttermilk’s on-site 40-acre working organic farm—Millstone. Daily, Chef Kelly’s team harvests organic greens, vegetables,...

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.—An edited exhibit division of statement-making products for hotel, resort and casino food and beverage operations will debut at the 2011 International Hotel, Motel + Restaurant Show (IHMRS), November 12 to 15, at New York City’s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. The Hotel F&B Zone will feature manufacturers and distributors of bar equipment; beer, wine and spirits; software and technology; buffet ware and catering accessories; and specialty food and beverages. “The Hotel F&B Zone was created to accommodate the sourcing needs of food and beverage executives from across the country who attend the IHMRS annually, offering them a...

NATIONAL REPORT—Confused about changing light bulb technology and new regulations affecting the types of bulbs stores sell? The American Lighting Association (ALA) offers information to help simplify the process of selecting efficient, economical and effective light bulbs. Are Certain Types of Light Bulbs Being Banned? The word “ban” is incorrect. While it is true that the 100-watt incandescent bulb will no longer be manufactured after January 2012, it is not a ban as much as it is a replacement. Products in every industry go through a similar process where something that is no longer efficient is replaced in the marketplace by...

MCLEAN, VA.—Home2 Suites by Hilton recently celebrated the official grand opening of the brand’s third U.S. hotel in Baltimore with a ribbon-cutting dedication and an announcement of a charitable community partnership. The hotel is both the first adaptive reuse project for Home2 Suites and the first urban space, joining two other properties already open in Fayetteville, N.C. and Layton, Utah. To commemorate the event, the Baltimore hotel hosted an afternoon of on-site activities for Home2 Suites executives, developer Baywood Hotels’ executive committee and members of the local business community. In addition to a ribbon-cutting ceremony, the Home2 Suites staff planned...