CHICAGO—Architects, designers, retailers and consumers now have an American National Standard that helps identify sustainable and environmentally-preferable wallcoverings: NSF/ANSI 342: Sustainability Assessment for Wallcovering Products. NSF International, an independent, not-for-profit organization committed to protecting public health and the environment, announced the adoption of the first American National Standards Institute (ANSI)-approved wallcovering standard at Greenbuild 2010. The NSF/ANSI 342 sustainable wallcovering standard was developed through the National Center for Sustainability Standards, which was founded by NSF to develop national standards and protocols for measuring sustainability attributes and conformity assessment programs to help verify sustainability claims. The Center is helping to eliminate...

ANAHEIM, CALIF.—The Anaheim Convention Center, the largest convention center on the west coast, was recently awarded the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification, and is one of only 14 convention centers in the country to earn this distinction. LEED is the lead rating system of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) for designing, constructing and operating the world’s greenest, most energy efficient, and high performing buildings.   “The Anaheim Convention Center continues to remain current, and we are very pleased with the LEED certification awarded to the Convention Center,” said City of Anaheim Mayor Curt Pringle. “Upgrades to and...

BETHESDA, MD.—Marriott International, Inc. has reached an important milestone in the creation of a platform for multi-unit hotel growth in Brazil with the announcement of a preferred partnership with PDG Realty for the development of 50 Fairfield by Marriott hotels throughout Brazil. The hotels in this partnership will be constructed with environmentally friendly design for greater energy efficiency. Additionally, Marriott and PDG Realty have agreed to make financial contributions for each hotel constructed to support Amazon rain forest preservation through the Amazonas Sustainable Foundation (FAS). “We are excited to partner with PDG Realty,” said Arne Sorenson, president and chief operating...

CHICAGO—The U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC) Greenbuild International Conference & Expo officially started on Wednesday, November 17 in Chicago as retired Gen. Colin Powell addressed a crowd of 10,000 in the opening keynote hall with a message of leadership and optimism for the future. Powell presented the Greenbuild 2010 opening keynote address at a plenary session that also included a discussion between political pundits Mary Matalin and James Carville and remarks from USGBC president, CEO and founding chair Rick Fedrizzi. “Leadership has to be passionate,” General Colin Powell said. “Each person involved must believe they have a purpose.”  Powell’s address...

DENVER—Atmosphere Hospitality Management, which introduced its full service, 180-suite Adoba Eco Hotel & Suites prototype earlier this year, has added a 112-room select service option for developers called Adoba Eco Inn. Every Adoba Eco Inn, like each Adoba Eco Hotel & Suites, will be required to achieve Gold or Platinum certification through the U.S. Green Business Council’s LEED certification process for new construction. The Adoba Eco Inn prototype features the brand’s green “DNA”—Distinctively New Attributes—such as Adoba Smart Solar Roofing, A-Gemini Alternative Wind Energy Solution, the A-Gemini Total Technology Property Management System, and the Journey Rewards program. “The development and...

MCLEAN, VA.—Hampton Hotels recently celebrated the 10th anniversary of its award-winning employee-volunteer program, Save-A-Landmark. Since the program launched in 2000, more than 1,500 hotel employees have spent more than 8,000 hours aiding in restoration projects for historic and cultural landmarks throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico. Hampton started the Save-A-Landmark program as a way for hotels to give back to local communities. At each event, the volunteers from nearby Hampton hotels from hotel owners and general managers to housekeepers and front desk agents, take time out of their busy schedules of serving guests to serve their communities and assist...

NEW YORK—Former AH&LA chairman John Russell is partnering with Auromatrix Group from India and a team of lodging veterans to launch Advaya Hospitality. Speaking  before an audience of industry insiders at the International Hotel Motel + Restaurant Show (IHMRS) in New York, Russell said the new global company aims to bring the next generation of lifestyle hotels and related products to major cities worldwide. The hotels will be green properties incorporating technologies ranging from key card based energy management systems to wind and solar power. “Everything we do will be with a focus on sustainability,” Russell told Green Lodging News...

NEW YORK—Nine exhibitors were honored with Editors’ Choice Awards during the opening ceremonies of the 95th annual International Hotel, Motel + Restaurant Show (IHMRS) and the inaugural Boutique Design New York (BDNY), Sunday, November 14, 2010, at New York City’s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. The awards program recognizes best new products within the categories of design, equipment & supplies, guest amenities, linens, technology, as well as an eco-friendly equivalent to each of these categories. From the nine winners, the Kenneth F. Hine “Best of Show” Award also was selected. The 2010 Editors’ Choice Award winners are: Green Design—GreenChance for EcoSmart...

ASHEVILLE, N.C.—The Hilton Asheville Biltmore Park announced that it has been awarded LEED Silver certification established by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and verified by the Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI). LEED is the nation’s preeminent program for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings. “The Hilton Asheville is a great example of how to combine sustainability with exceptional features and amenities to create a memorable guest experience,” said Ron Storto, vice president of hotel development with Biltmore Farms LLC. “From a destination spa and fine dining to eco-conscious products and operations, this new addition to...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Mayor Adrian M. Fenty and the Washington Convention and Sports Authority (WCSA) broke ground Wednesday, November 10 on the Washington Marriott Marquis. Joining them for this occasion were Representative Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), city officials, representatives from WCSA’s board of directors, Quadrangle Development, Capstone Development, Marriott International, Inc. and Destination DC. The ceremony took place on the construction site at Ninth Street and Massachusetts Avenue, directly adjacent to the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. The hotel, which was designed to earn LEED Silver (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification, is scheduled to open in spring 2014. “This is...