LAS VEGAS—MGM Resorts International has issued its Environmental Responsibility Report chronicling its comprehensive philosophy known as its “Green Advantage.” The report, released during the Fourth Annual National Clean Energy Summit held at the company’s ARIA Resort, outlines the company’s strategic approach and recent achievements toward improved stewardship of the environment at its 15 resorts around the country. “Environmental responsibility is a core company value that is woven into and throughout our culture and business operations,” said James J. Murren, chairman and CEO of MGM Resorts International. “For our customers, environmental stewardship is becoming a key area of awareness. They are...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—NEWH announces the first annual NEWH Sustainable Design and Development Conference and Tradeshow. This tradeshow will bring together innovative, sustainable leaders, ideas, products, design and tangible business results. NEWH invites all members of the design and development community, hospitality industry, event professionals and sustainable partners who are looking to gain further insight and to promote and build strong business relationships to attend this new industry show. The show will be a one-day event December 9, 2011, and will be held at the Capital Hilton Hotel in Washington, D.C. The tradeshow will run all day, concluding with a cocktail reception...

LONDON—The International Tourism Partnership (ITP) and the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) are collaborating on a groundbreaking initiative to unite hotel industry efforts to calculate and communicate carbon impact by agreeing on a standardized methodology and metrics. For the first time, leaders within the hotel industry are collaborating to reach a consensus on a single methodology for calculating carbon footprints and consistent metrics for communicating emissions. The Carbon Measurement Working Group driven by hospitality members within ITP and WTTC includes leading international hotel companies such as Accor, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, Hilton Worldwide, Hyatt Hotels & Resorts, InterContinental Hotels...

BETHESDA, MD.—Marriott International, Inc. announced that nearly 25 electric vehicle (EV) charging stations are available and ready for use at several of its hotels. Guests at these hotels can now charge their EVs using the “Level 2” charging stations: Courtyard Oxnard Ventura, Oxnard, Calif. (two stations); J.W. Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa, Palm Desert, Calif. (three stations); Renaissance Los Angeles Airport Hotel, Los Angeles, (two stations); Renaissance Esmeralda Resort & Spa Indian Wells, Indian Wells, Calif. (two stations); San Francisco Airport Marriott, San Francisco, (two stations); Torrance Marriott South Bay, Torrance, Calif. (two stations); Residence Inn Orlando Lake...

SAINT CHARLES, MO.—FreshStay.com now has more than 5,000 reasons for hotels to go smoke free. With the addition of nearly 200 new hotels, including numerous Comfort Suites hotels, FreshStay.com now has more than 5,000 properties that are committed to being 100 percent nonsmoking. “Reaching 5,000 hotel partners is a milestone that we are not only proud of, but it speaks to the growing commitment throughout the hospitality industry to the health and comfort for frequent breathers everywhere,” says Ray Burger, founder of FreshStay.com, which was launched in 2006. “Eliminating smoking isn’t just a trend, or isolated in a few geographic...

MONTEGO BAY, JAMAICA—Sandals Resorts International (SRI) has confirmed it will launch Reading Road Trip, the resort company’s first official voluntourism program. In conjunction with Sandals Foundation, its philanthropic arm, the program is a volunteer literacy program aimed at improving listening, reading and comprehension skills of local children between the ages of five and seven. It expands on programming developed by the Sandals Foundation through their school adoption policy. “The chance to ‘give back’ has been a customer request for some time, so we are thrilled to finally be able to offer our guests the opportunity to take part in the...

TORONTO—Being a good corporate citizen is more than a policy or a program; it’s about putting ideas into action and making the world a better place, one step at a time. Now, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts offers a new, complimentary program that makes planning a green meeting or event easier than ever. Greening Meetings, now available at every one of the company’s 85 hotels and resorts around the world, is a menu of flexible options to conserve energy, reduce waste and support sustainability at events large and small. The new program is available at no additional cost. Available options...

LAS VEGAS—Diamond Resorts International, a leader in the hospitality and vacation ownership industries, continues its global sustainability efforts through the cultivation and utilization of local fruit, vegetable and herb gardens at resorts worldwide. Ka’anapali Beach Club in Maui, Hawaii, The Historic Powhatan Resort in Williamsburg, Virginia, and Vilar do Golf in Algarve, Portugal each utilize on-site sustainable gardens for everyday cooking in resort restaurants. The use of these gardens enhances the natural environment while benefiting the ecosystem and local economy. Minimal chemical pesticides and fertilizers are used during production and the installation of underground watering systems decreases water waste and...

ATLANTA—IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) announces the launch of its Innovation Hotel version 2.0, which is an improved version of the original website launched in 2008. The Innovation Hotel is IHG’s online showcase and creative hub for sustainable hotel design, giving examples of what future hotels might look like if they use sustainable technologies. Version 2.0 retains all the features of the original site but is now even more engaging and interactive. The new site has a refreshed design and includes a number of additional features; including real-life hotel case studies demonstrating how IHG hotels are already implementing sustainable ideas, such...

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, CALIF.—I had the privilege of hosting, as well as speaking at the West Coast Green Lodging Conference this week (August 21 to 24) at the Embassy Suites Lake Tahoe Hotel and Ski Resort. This was the second annual conference here on the South Shore and I must say it was very inspirational to hear leaders in the industry speak about their accomplishments as well as hearing from the U.S. EPA, local advocates of sustainability and other great speakers. The conference kicked off Sunday evening with a reception and a welcoming by Bill Cottrill, director of sales and...