WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.—The International Hotel, Motel + Restaurant Show (IHMRS) will welcome the return of several key industry suppliers to the 2011 market, demonstrating optimism for new business opportunities in 2012 and beyond. More than 700 industry suppliers will connect with some 30,000 power buyers, November 12 to 15, at New York City’s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. Among those returning after a brief absence are Cetis, Inc. (telephones and high speed internet), Chef Works (uniforms), Crocs (footwear), Dinex (foodservice equipment), DirectTV (guestroom technology), Electrolux Major Appliances-North America (appliances), GE Zoneline (air conditioners), Groen (foodservice equipment), IMC Teddy (foodservice equipment),...

BOULDER, COLO.—St Julien Hotel & Spa announced that it has attained a 70 percent diversion rate, indicating that 70 percent of the waste produced by the hotel is diverted from landfills for recycling, re-use or composting. “This is a significant achievement that keeps us on track with our goal of becoming a ‘zero waste’ property,” said Peter Walstra, general manager of the hotel. “We have worked tirelessly to identify opportunities to reduce consumption, recycle materials or eliminate needless waste—all without impacting the exceptional environment and experience the St Julien brings to guests. It has been, and continues to be, a...

CAROLINA, PUERTO RICO—Verdanza Hotel in Isla Verde has become the first hotel on the island with a charge station for electronic vehicles (EVs). “At Verdanza we are proud of our efforts to ensure that the daily operation of the hotel is friendly to the environment. The decision to install a charge station was a natural next step in our commitment to contribute to a healthier environment,” said  Rick Newman, president of Verdanza Hotel, adding that although Puerto Rico has not yet reached a critical mass in the use of EVs, it is fertile ground for this type of innovation. “The...

DALLAS—Accor North America (ANA), one of the largest hotel chain owner and operators in North America, was recognized at the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Sustainable Materials Management ceremony recently for its environmental stewardship. ANA successfully met two key environmental goals as part of its commitment to the EPA’s National Partnership for Environmental Priorities (NPEP), a partnership focused on reducing hazardous chemicals from products and processes. ANA’s first goal—to divert one pound of mercury from unsafe landfill disposal—was achieved through the company’s fluorescent light bulb recycling program. Since 2009, ANA locations have recycled 9,529 fluorescent lamps, amounting to just over one...

TORONTO—The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) announced the launch of the Demand Response Partnership Program (DR Partnership Program). The DR Partnership Program will reach thousands of commercial buildings to educate, promote and drive participation in demand response programs. Through the program, USGBC and EDF will partner with selected utilities, solution providers and program sponsors to work together on this groundbreaking initiative. “There is no doubt that without demand response this past summer that our nation’s electric grid could have experienced significant stresses costing the economy untold billions of dollars,” said Jon Wellinghoff, chairman of the...

NAPA, CALIF.—Francis Ford Coppola’s resorts in Belize—Blancaneaux Lodge and Turtle Inn—announced that they have formalized a partnership with Alexandra Cousteau’s Blue Legacy, an environmental foundation that works to engage mainstream audiences on global water issues. Cousteau, the granddaughter of renowned environmentalist Jacques Yves-Cousteau, will travel to Belize in spring 2012 in order to explore and film critical environmental issues for a worldwide audience. Committed and dedicated to fostering best practices in ecotourism and sustainable travel, the Coppola Resorts will host the Blue Legacy group during their stay in Belize. By leveraging Coppola Resorts’ valuable relationships with the area’s conservation partners...

ORLANDO, FLA.—The Peabody Orlando announced the launch of its new Organics Recycling Program. The compost program is in partnership with Waste Management, Inc. of Florida and is the first of its kind in the Orlando area. The Peabody Orlando plans to roll out the new program in the hotel’s banquet kitchen and looks to expand the initiative to all of its other food and beverage outlets in the near future. “We are pleased to be one of the first hotel properties in Orlando to launch such a program,” stated Michael Jueds, director of engineering, The Peabody Orlando. “At The Peabody...

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.—The Las Vegas community of Summerlin is now the home of Nevada’s newest LEED certified hotel. Designed to be “green from the ground up,” Element hotels blend eco-inspired smart design, bright, open spaces, and flowing layouts in guestrooms. Element serves as Starwood’s green innovation lab, where sustainable practices are tested before migrating to other brands. With Element Las Vegas Summerlin’s certification, six Element hotels in North America now boast a LEED designation. Element, from Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc., made history in 2008 by becoming the first major hotel brand to mandate that all its properties pursue...

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...