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Whether an industry announcement, or a hotel accomplishment, Green Lodging News reports on the most up-to-date news and offers a unique perspective on trends—all with the purpose of making your company more profitable. Got news or a story idea to share? We frequently post contributed articles here. Contact Glenn Hasek, editor, at (813) 510-3868, or by e-mail at: greenlodgingnews@gmail.com.

News & Features

Home News & Features
Whether an industry announcement, or a hotel accomplishment, Green Lodging News reports on the most up-to-date news and offers a unique perspective on trends—all with the purpose of making your company more profitable. Got news or a story idea to share? We frequently post contributed articles here. Contact Glenn Hasek, editor, at (813) 510-3868, or by e-mail at: greenlodgingnews@gmail.com.

Survey Gauges Facility Managers’ Outlook on Water-related Issues

VISTA, CALIF.—Looking ahead to what 2010 might bring, a new survey conducted the first two weeks of December 2009 asked facility managers and other building professionals about water conservation, water costs, and other related issues in their facilities in the coming year. The survey was conducted by AlturaSolutions Communications for Waterless Co., manufacturers of waterless urinal systems. E-mail invitations to take the survey were sent to about 500 facility managers and building professionals. A total of 154 people answered some of the questions; 84 people completed the entire survey. Virtually all, 89 percent, indicate that, compared to past years,...

North Carolina is Site of First Home2 Suites by Hilton to Break Ground

MCLEAN, VA.—Home2 Suites by Hilton, the mid-tier, extended-stay hotel chain targeting value-wise business and leisure travelers, announced the groundbreaking of its first hotel, the 119-room Home2 Suites by Hilton Fayetteville, N.C. The hotel is being developed by Alabama-based LBA Properties, a group of companies providing comprehensive hotel development and management services, on behalf of Apple Real Estate Investment Trust Companies (Apple REIT Companies). The hotel is expected to open in the 2010 fourth quarter. “Home2 Suites is a true complement to the current Hilton Worldwide portfolio,” said Paul Brown, president of global brands and commercial services for Hilton Worldwide. “All...

GBCI, VA Help Veterans & Families Pay for LEED Exams

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), in accordance with the G.I. Bill, has agreed to reimburse veterans, eligible dependents and reservists for the cost of any of the LEED Professional Exams administered by the Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI). “We are honored to be a part of the VA’s aggressive effort to help veterans gain the skills and credentials required for full participation in the new, green economy,” said Peter Templeton, president, GBCI. “For those veterans who are pursuing a career in green building or a related field, this support for attaining LEED credentials can go a long...

Michigan DELEG Launches Green Venues Certification Program

LANSING—The Michigan Department of Energy, Labor, & Economic Growth (DELEG) Bureau of Energy Systems is launching Green Venues Michigan, a statewide green certification program for entertainment venues, convention centers, and similar facilities. It is designed to encourage and assist facilities to adopt cost saving, green practices which conserve natural resources and prevent pollution. The Green Venues Michigan program was modeled after DELEG’s successful Green Lodging Michigan program. Four venues have received the Green Venues Michigan Certification as part of a pilot launch. They are include: Michigan International Speedway, Detroit Institute of Arts, Pierce Cedar Creek Institute, and Grand Valley State...

Jurys Inns Poll Provides Glimpse at Travelers’ Green Habits

LONDON, U.K.—Jurys Inns recently polled its guests to find out just how green they really are when staying at a hotel. Seven out of 10 guests claim they don’t forget to pack their eco-conscience when staying at a hotel and make an effort to follow the same green practices they would at home when they’re away. One in five people said they check out a hotel’s green credentials before checking in, claiming that in addition to location, service and value for money, it is a high priority when deciding which hotel to book. This supports other recent research from...

Mandarin Oriental, Las Vegas Achieves LEED Gold Certification

LAS VEGAS—Mandarin Oriental, Las Vegas, a hotel located at the new CityCenter on The Strip, has achieved LEED Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). It is the first hotel in the Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group to receive a LEED rating, and marks the sixth LEED Gold certification for CityCenter, which is one of the world’s largest sustainable developments. “Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group is known for demonstrating its leadership in the hotel industry,” said Rajesh Jhingon, general manager of Mandarin Oriental, Las Vegas. “We are honored to have the Group’s first LEED Gold certified hotel.” Mandarin Oriental Highlights • The...

ASHRAE Piloting New Building Energy Quotient Program

ATLANTA—A new program to inform building owners and operators, tenants and prospective buyers on the energy use of buildings, similar to a nutrition label on food or miles per gallon ratings on cars, was launched to encourage the building industry to find ways to cut energy use and costs. The Building Energy Quotient program, which will be known as Building EQ, will include both As Designed (asset) and In Operation (as operated) ratings for all building types, except residential. It also will provide a detailed certificate with data on actual energy use, energy demand profiles, indoor air quality and other...

Green Lodging and Hospitality Conference Wraps Up in Orlando

ORLANDO—The second annual Green Lodging and Hospitality Conference, held at the Rosen Centre Hotel in Orlando, Fla., from December 9-11, featured a strong group of speakers but failed to attract the crowd one might expect from one of the largest hotel centers in the world. Attendance was 175 for the event, including approximately 50 vendors. The conference was hosted by the TREEO Center, University of Florida. Highlights of the conference included a keynote presentation by David Jerome, senior vice president for corporate responsibility, InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), and presentations with titles such as “Green Lodging from 10,000 feet, How...

Outrigger Enterprises Awarded for Recycling Accomplishments

HONOLULU, HAWAII—Outrigger Enterprises Group received the inaugural “Green Leader Award” recently from Reynolds Recycling for being top recycling and sustainability leaders in Hawaii’s tourism industry. Outrigger’s owned and operated hotels in Waikiki have prevented more than 48,000 pounds of recyclable material from entering Honolulu’s landfill by recovering more than one million beverage containers from their guestrooms since 2006. “With over 4,000 guest rooms in Waikiki, we realized that our combined efforts could make a significant impact in keeping Hawaii green,” said David Carey, president and CEO of Outrigger Enterprises Group. “Hawaii’s beauty rests heavily on our pristine environment and as...

ASTM International Adds Certification Capabilities

W. CONSHOHOCKEN, PA.—At its recent meeting, the ASTM board of directors authorized ASTM’s management to develop the capability to offer certification services. Titled the ASTM International Certification Programs, the new initiative is sponsored by ASTM International and offers the opportunity for certification of products (materials, products, services and systems) as well as personnel. The recent action by the ASTM board is a response to inquiries, particularly in the areas of new standards development activities, for ASTM to provide certification to meet expressed needs for independent, third party demonstrations of compliance to standards. Similar requests have come to ASTM from...