DALLAS—Motel 6’s newest property in Northlake, Texas, is the first economy hotel in the nation to attain LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and the first hotel for parent company Accor to gain the distinction. “With the brand’s ‘Phoenix’ prototype, we are setting the pace for the future of Motel 6, which, in line with our values, must be as energy-efficient as possible,” said Olivier Poirot, CEO of Accor North America, Motel 6 and Studio 6. “LEED’s high environmental standards lend a great deal of credence to our efforts, and we...

MCLEAN, VA.—The past year has presented marketing professionals within the travel and hospitality industries with an array of challenges ranging from global economic instability to the evolving field of social media marketing. Always natural adapters, these marketing gurus have conveyed their bright ideas through numerous advertising, public relations and digital marketing campaigns and initiatives. The Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI) will pay homage to these individuals and recognize their inspired marketing efforts in the 54th annual HSMAI Adrian Awards competition. HSMAI has officially opened the “Call for Entries” for the 2010 awards. The early deadline for entries is...

ADELPHI, MD.—The Marriott Inn & Conference Center at the University of Maryland University College is the first hotel to be listed as a Maryland Green Travel Partner as part of a statewide program aimed at reducing the environmental impact of Maryland’s tourism industry.  This designation is due in part to the robust recycling and composting program at the hotel that now in its third year, has significantly decreased the hotel’s waste stream. Three years after launching a comprehensive “green” program, the Marriott Inn & Conference Center UMUC has reduced the percentage of its solid waste that gets sent to the...

NEW YORK—New York buildings commissioner Robert LiMandri recently announced the launch of the New York City Energy Conservation Code (NYCECC), the first energy code developed specifically for New York City. The NYCECC amends the New York State Energy Conservation Construction Code, which previously set efficiency standards for construction in New York City. The NYCECC is more stringent than the state code, requiring thousands of more building projects to meet energy efficiency requirements. The NYCECC was introduced as legislation by Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and New York City Council speaker Christine C. Quinn in April 2009 as part of the...

BRUSSELS, BELGIUM—The Rezidor Hotel Group, one of the fastest growing hotel companies worldwide, has been recognized by the Ethisphere Institute (USA) as one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies for 2010. Out of a record number of nominations for the award, Rezidor secured its place on the list by implementing upright business practices and initiatives that are instrumental to the company’s success, benefit the community, and raise the bar for ethical standards within the industry. The respect for social and ethical issues within the company is one of the three main pillars of Rezidor’s ambitious, group-wide Responsible Business Program...

PORTLAND, ORE.—The Green Meeting Industry Council (GMIC), the global community solely dedicated to sustainability in the meetings and events industry, not only through education but also by spearheading research, policy and standards, announced on July 1, 2010, a transition in Board leadership for the organization. Founders Amy Spatrisano and Nancy Wilson are retiring from the Board. The new leadership team is led by Guy Bigwood, group sustainability director of the MCI Group as president of the Board; and Paul Salinger, vice president of Marketing for Oracle as president-elect. Amy Spatrisano and Nancy Wilson, co-founders of both MeetGreen and the Green...

ATLANTA—With signs of the economy and the hospitality design industry steadily returning back to life, HD Boutique will return to the Miami Beach Convention Center in Miami Beach, Fla., on Tuesday, September 14, and Wednesday, September 15, 2010. Considered the sister show to Hospitality Design Exposition & Conference (HD Expo) in Las Vegas, the event will draw more than 450 global manufacturers to showcase the latest and most inventive products directly applicable for existing or future hospitality projects. More than 3,500 key decision makers will comprise show attendees, including designers, architects, purchasing agents, and hospitality owners and operators who will...

HEALDSBURG, CALIF.—The July 4 holiday weekend turned out to be a good time to open for the new water-themed h2hotel in California’s Northern Sonoma Wine Country. The four-story, 36-room hotel sold out—a good sign for the owners of the $19 million property. A collaboration among David Baker + Partners, the architect responsible for the AIA design award-winning Hotel Healdsburg, Andrea Cochran Landscape Architecture, and Marie Fisher and Jen Gadiel Interior Design, h2hotel is primed to earn a  LEED Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. Unique in many ways, h2hotel is located within 10 miles of 100 wineries and...

CHICAGO—Hyatt Hotels & Resorts announced the launch of Meet and Be Green, a new program that encourages guests and planners to make green choices for their meetings. Dedicated Hyatt meeting planners will help source products with 100 percent recycled content where possible, find local suppliers, and maximize efforts to reduce waste to create a meeting experience that exceeds expectations and helps the environment at the same time. For new meetings booked by December 30, 2010, and held by March 31, 2011 at full-service Hyatt hotels and resorts in the United States and Canada, groups participating in the Meet and Be...

ATLANTA—Two newly constructed Marriott International-branded hotels located in Atlanta’s Gateway Complex—adjacent to one of the world’s busiest U.S. airports and home to the Georgia International Convention Center—will be among the greenest hotels in the city. The SpringHill Suites Atlanta Airport Gateway is LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) registered by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and on track to becoming Atlanta’s first LEED Gold hotel. The Atlanta Marriott Gateway will apply for LEED Silver status upon opening in August. This major step in Atlanta brings Marriott one step closer to its goal to expand its LEED portfolio...