LAS VEGAS—MGM Grand has revealed designs for its new rooms and suites. Underway this week, the $160 million remodel includes all 3,570 guestrooms and 642 suites in the hotel’s main tower and is expected to conclude by September 2012. The initial set of redesigned rooms will be complete by the end of November 2011. “Our new rooms complement MGM Grand’s incredible collection of accommodations,” said Scott Sibella, president and COO for MGM Grand. “This is one of many exciting announcements on the horizon, all of which will solidify MGM Grand’s position not only as an entertainment destination, but as a...

ORLANDO—Less than a month remains before the Third Annual Green Lodging & Hospitality Conference. The event will be held November 8 to 9 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel at the Entrance to Universal Orlando. The conference will include two tracks of breakout sessions in addition to three pre-conference events. Sponsors for the conference include the Green Meeting Industry Council’s Florida/Caribbean chapter; the American Green Lodging and Hospitality Assn. (AGLHA); the Eric Friedheim Tourism Institute, University of Florida; the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; Florida Restaurant & Lodging Assn.; Visit Orlando; the Hospitality Advocacy Committee of the U.S. Green Building...

NATIONAL REPORT—While a majority of CFOs are aware that sustainability will profoundly affect their “mainstream” duties, almost one third of them—31 percent—say they are either rarely involved or not involved in sustainability strategy and governance at their companies. This is among the key findings of Sustainable Finance: The risks and opportunities that (some) CFOs are overlooking, a global survey launched by Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (DTTL). The survey was conducted among 208 CFOs of large companies in 10 countries during the first half of 2011. “The findings of the survey suggest that CFOs can and should take a more energetic role...

MCLEAN, VA.—Due to its advancements in quality assurance and sustainability standards, Hilton Worldwide and its portfolio of 10 hotel brands has earned ISO 9001 certification for Quality Management Systems and ISO 14001 certification for Environmental Management Systems. With these certifications, Hilton Worldwide becomes one of the first multinational organizations to certify its entire system globally—more than 3,750 properties in 85 countries—achieving one of the largest ever volume certifications of commercial buildings. “Hilton Worldwide has built both quality and sustainability into our overall performance standards and operational procedures,” said Christopher J. Nassetta, president and CEO, Hilton Worldwide. “While our commitment has...

PARSIPPANY, N.J.—Wyndham Worldwide, one of the world’s largest hospitality companies, ranks number one in the hospitality industry and among the top 10 percent in the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) Global 500 Carbon Disclosure Leadership Index. The Index highlights the constituent companies within the S&P 500 Index which have displayed the most professional approach to corporate governance regarding climate change information disclosure practices. With a carbon disclosure score of 83, this was the first appearance for Wyndham Worldwide on the annual index by the CDP, which represents 551 institutional investors with $71 trillion in assets. CDP commended Wyndham Worldwide for its...

NATIONAL REPORT—If you are reading this article, it can be assumed that you either own or operate a heated swimming pool. If so, you probably would like to reduce your pool heating costs and save money. Beyond turning down the pool’s thermostat and keeping the pool covered, your options are limited. The purpose of this article is to explore those options. Businesses such as hotels, motels, resorts and water parks have no choice but to keep their pools at a comfortable temperature. Fossil fuel prices fluctuate significantly and are expected to rise over the next decade. Commercial pools are perfect...

TORONTO—The U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC) Greenbuild International Conference & Expo kicked off in Toronto yesterday with 23,000 delegates from around the world learning about the latest in green building products, technologies and innovations. Beginning with an opening plenary celebration event at the Air Canada Centre on Wednesday evening, 2011 marks Greenbuild’s 10th year. Greenbuild is the world’s largest green building conference & expo. “This is the first time Greenbuild has been held outside of the U.S. and Toronto is a fitting place to celebrate 10 years of Greenbuild,” said Rick Fedrizzi, president, CEO & founding chair, USGBC. “Last night’s...

BALTIMORE—The majority of architects and interior designers, 87 percent and 86 percent respectively, acknowledge that they are concerned with how products are manufactured with regard to sustainability, according to new research released by IMRE. The research showed that the number of sustainable projects performed by architects and interior designers is projected to rise in the next year, and that sustainable products are often associated with higher cost. These are some of the results released from the survey in which 812 architects and designers responded to an online survey fielded between September 19 and 23, 2011. The survey was spearheaded by...

BETHESDA, MD.—Marriott International, Inc. is closer to reaching its goal of 300 LEED-certified hotels by 2015—now that three of its brands—Courtyard, TownePlace Suites and Residence Inn—have all earned LEED Volume pre-certification by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). The Courtyard Scottsdale Pima in Arizona, scheduled to open in early 2012, and the TownePlace Suites Frederick in Maryland, will be the first of their brand categories to be built using Marriott’s LEED Volume pre-certification. Residence Inn projects are under development. “We live in a world where concerns about the environment and about sustainable development are a necessary and growing consideration for everyone,”...

NATIONAL REPORT—The faucets go by a number of different names—hands free, electronic, touchless, sensor—but they are all geared toward improving hygiene, simplifying cleaning and maintenance, and conserving water and energy. Ideal for public restroom facilities where there is a continuous flow of different people, hands free faucets are also finding a home in commercial kitchens where employees are required to wash their hands. Several industry experts said there may come a day soon when hands free faucets are accepted in hotel guestroom bathrooms—as an “amenity upgrade,” one vendor said. Hands free faucets have been available for the mainstream public restroom...