ATLANTA—An integrated design approach to building energy modeling—and learning how to use modeling tools more effectively—improves the accuracy and reliability of simulation results and increases the return on time and resources invested to generate the models. ASHRAE’s Energy Modeling Conference: Tools for Designing High Performance Buildings, April 4 to 6, 2011, ASHRAE headquarters, Atlanta, will provide hands-on modelers and principals with the information to better harness the power of energy modeling tools. The conference covers modeling fundamentals, building component contributions, software demonstrations and case studies. A collaborative perspective is provided that demonstrates how energy models and computer simulations can...

NATIONAL REPORT—A new study commissioned by the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) shows manufacturers have made huge strides in creating more energy efficient televisions. In furtherance of the technology industry’s leadership on energy efficient products, the CEA study provides a review and analysis of power consumption trends in digital television technology. The CEA study, “Power Consumption Trends in Digital TVs Produced Since 2003,” reviewed power consumption data on best-selling digital TV models from 2003 to 2010—in both active and standby modes—on high-definition liquid crystal (LCD) and plasma display models with screen sizes ranging from 13 to 65 inches. Some highlights: • LCD active...

PHOENIX—The Arizona Biltmore announced that nearly two years after implementing an extensive Green Initiative at the resort that covers every aspect of operations and every department of the property it has earned the Certified Green designation from the Arizona Hotel & Lodging Association (AzHLA).  “We have developed an extraordinarily comprehensive and sustainable Green Initiative at the Arizona Biltmore that enabled us to substantially exceed the requirements to be certified by the AzHLA,” said general manager Andrew Stegen. “This is a significant milestone for us; however, our goal is to take our initiative even further by continuously identifying and implementing...

SAN FRANCISCO—InterContinental San Francisco announced that it has been awarded LEED Gold certification under the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance (LEED EBOM) program. LEED is USGBC’s rating system for designing, constructing and maintaining the world’s greenest, most energy efficient and high performing buildings. InterContinental San Francisco is the first property in the InterContinental Hotels & Resorts portfolio to achieve LEED certification for an existing building. To achieve LEED EBOM, InterContinental San Francisco was evaluated on operational efficiency and minimization of environmental impact. To date, it is the largest...

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.—The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA) is welcoming seminar proposals for the 96th annual International Hotel, Motel + Restaurant Show (IHMRS), taking place November 12 to 15, 2011, at New York City’s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. Industry and trend experts are encouraged to submit seminar topics that address timely and relevant issues to meet the professional development needs of some 30,000 IHMRS attendees. The deadline to submit proposals is March 1, 2011. Proposals focused on trends, within the areas of lodging ownership and management, consumer travel trends, sustainability and related issues, are preferred. Additional topics can...

ASHLAND, OHIO—A 160-acre parcel located just southwest of Ashland, Ohio could soon be the home of the United States’ greenest retreat center. Developer Wendy Kertesz says she hopes to break ground this summer on Windy Retreat Center, a 25,000-square-foot, 16-guestroom facility that will include two indoor conference rooms, one outdoor conference space, three classrooms, great room, dining room, commercial kitchen, fitness center and conservatory. The goal is to open the center by late 2012. Constructed in part using straw bales, Windy Retreat Center will pursue at least Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold Certification and Passive House...

FAIRFAX, VA.—Concord Eastridge Inc. announced that The Mason Inn Conference Center and Hotel has been awarded LEED Gold established by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and verified by the Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI). “As Mason works to achieve ambitious sustainability goals, a LEED Gold certified conference center and hotel makes a strong statement about how serious we are in these efforts,” said Christine LaPaille, vice president for University Relations at the property. “We believe there is significant appeal among businesses and organizations with similar sustainability commitments to bring their meetings and conferences to a green building like...

SOUTHAMPTON, BERMUDA—In a symbolic passing of the “baton,” Bermuda’s Junior Tourism Minister Marc Bean recently received the Caribbean Tourism Organization Sustainable Tourism Mahogany Scroll from the Permanent Secretary in the Barbados Ministry of Tourism, Andrew Cox, confirming Bermuda as host of the 12th Annual Caribbean Conference on Sustainable Tourism Development (STC-12). The event will be hosted by the Government of Bermuda and will be held from April 3 to 6, 2011, at the Fairmont Southampton. Costas Christ, the National Geographic Traveler Editor at Large who helped officially define the term “ecotourism,” will be the keynote speaker. His presentation, "Global Sustainable...

LOS ANGELES—A new program was initiated this month in the Gateway to L.A. business district that is helping hotels reduce waste, meet green certification standards, and provide assistance to an area homeless shelter: InnGage Hotel Amenity Donation Program. The Gateway to L.A. business district contains more than 7,100 hotel rooms, with an average length of stay of approximately 1.2 nights. Every day, hotel guests depart having used only a small portion of the toiletries provided for their stay. These bottles of shampoos and lotions often go to waste, while there are people in the community in need of these very...

NATIONAL REPORT—In one respect, comparing guestroom energy management systems today is apples to apples with each system basically doing the same thing—using a sensor or sensors (or a key card) to turn off the HVAC system entirely or to allow the thermostat setting to drift to an energy-saving level. As similar as most systems are, however, each vendor offers something unique—whether it be the technology by which systems communicate within the hotel, the robustness of the reporting features, the ability to integrate with local or Web-based systems, or the extent to which lighting and other electrical items can be...