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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.

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.

Brad Pitt Involved in New Five-Star Green Hotel Development in Dubai

DUBAI, U.A.E.—Zabeel Properties unveiled details of a new five-star landmark hotel and leisure development for Dubai. The Dubai-based luxury developer also confirmed the appointment of innovative LA-based architecture firm, GRAFT, whose team of design consultants for the project will include the Hollywood actor, Brad Pitt. The actor’s involvement in the design for the resort demonstrates his deep-seated interest in the project. It is set to become a flagship hotel complex for Dubai and a world leader in environmental sustainability. The proposed hotel and resort is striving for a minimum of LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) gold status....

National Restaurant Association Launches Conserve Initiative

CHICAGO—The National Restaurant Assn. launched “Conserve: Solutions for Sustainability”, an initiative designed to support the United States’ nearly one million restaurant and foodservice locations as they become more eco-friendly, at the Association’s recent Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show in Chicago. The Conserve website will educate restaurateurs on how taking small steps over time—or bigger steps for those who choose to do so—can make a difference for the future of our planet, as well as be positive for business. “We are launching Conserve to raise awareness and provide resources and information about eco-friendly practices to the entire restaurant and foodservice community,” said...

Sustainable Woods, Fibers Increase Interior Door Options

NATIONAL REPORT—For many designers, and the clients they represent, interior doors’ value as a design element has slowly diminished in recent years. No more the attention-grabbing “wall furniture” of the classical period and unlike their contemporary hardwood kin in floors and cabinetry, wood doors have been largely commoditized. For many, a door is just a door. But to those in the industry—and for a rapidly growing number of astute practitioners in the design/building community—doors have been rediscovered as a “haute commodity” in interior design. Interior doors are enjoying a significant renaissance as new materials, fabrication technologies and sustainable design invigorate...

Cornell Sets Date for ‘Sustainability in the Hospitality Industry’ Discussion

WASHINGTON, D.C.—As part of its Dean’s Leadership Series, the Cornell University School of Hotel Administration will hold a “Sustainability in the Hospitality Industry” panel discussion on Thursday, June 12 from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. A reception will follow from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. The event will be held at the Willard InterContinental Hotel, 1401 Pennsylvania Avenue NW. The cost is $50 per person. Sponsors for the meeting include: Cornell Center for a Sustainable Future, Cornell Center for Hospitality Research, Courtesy Products, Leland C. and Mary M. Pillsbury Institute for Hospitality Entrepreneurship, Parasol Marketing Group, and the Willard...

Hotels in Florida’s St. Augustine Join State’s Green Lodging Program

ST. AUGUSTINE, FLA.—From the beaches through the historic district of the United States’ oldest city, to the golfing mecca of World Golf Village, accommodations in St. Augustine are setting the pace for membership in the Florida Green Lodging Program. Administered by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, the program establishes voluntary guidelines for hotels and motels to conserve natural resources and prevent pollution. Properties that meet the guidelines are recommended by the state to companies and trade organizations seeking environmentally-conscious lodging and convention facilities. “It’s not surprising to me that our destination is among the most environmentally-conscious in the...

HITEC 2008 Buyer’s Guide Now Available for Trade Show Floor

AUSTIN, TEXAS—The 2008 Hospitality Industry Technology Exposition and Conference (HITEC) Buyer’s Guide, now available at HITEC.org, offers a valuable planning tool that is useful before, during and after the show. The Buyer’s Guide offers visitors a number of search functions, extensive information on each exhibitor and an easy-to-navigate, real-time floor plan. “With over 300 exhibitors, it can be a bit overwhelming to visit the exhibit hall at HITEC,” said Frank Wolfe, CAE, CEO of HFTP. “The Buyer’s Guide allows attendees to identify which exhibitors they want to visit. The Buyer’s Guide remains on the HITEC website for several months after...

Marriott Extends Commitment to Rainforest with Meetings Program

BETHESDA, MD.—Marriott International, Inc. has launched an innovative opportunity for its customers booking group meetings to address climate change and improve the environment. A first in the lodging industry, Marriott will contribute funds on behalf of its customers to protect the critically endangered Brazilian Amazonas rainforest for meetings booked between July 1, 2008 and December 31, 2009. Marriott is also unveiling a menu of eco-friendly green meeting products and services that will enable groups of all sizes to save water and energy, reduce waste and recycle during their stays. Some of the ways Marriott will be making meetings green include...

AIA Releases Study of Three Green Building Rating Systems

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The American Institute of Architects (AIA) has released a study of three green building rating systems (Green Globes, SBTool 07, and LEED NC 2.2). The study assesses their effectiveness in supporting the goals of the AIA sustainability position statement. In late 2007, the initial results were shared with the three groups whose systems were reviewed. After receiving feedback, the study was modified and further refined into the final report. The purpose of this exercise is to offer analysis to both industry and the public as an opportunity to learn how three unique, creative and evolving green building rating systems...

Low-Impact, LEED-Pursuing Cody Hotel Opens in Wyoming

CODY, WYO.—Cody’s newest hotel, a luxury property called “The Cody,” opened earlier this month. The property is located on the west side of town near the Cody Rodeo Grounds, site of the Cody Nite Rodeo. The Cody is operated by MOA Hospitality of Chicago. Low-impact environmental initiatives are plentiful throughout The Cody, and the hotel is working toward LEED certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. Examples of sustainable features include low-VOC paints, guestroom doors made of recycled material, porcelain tile purchased from a LEED-certified manufacturer, reclaimed lumber used for accent trim, cabinets made from quick-growing alder, and mattresses made...

Emory Conference Center Hotel Implements Single Stream Recycling

ATLANTA—Already one of the most environmentally responsible conference centers and hotels in the Southeast, the Emory Conference Center Hotel (ECCH) is now the only property in Georgia implementing a single stream recycling system. Single stream recycling enables ECCH employees and guests to mix recyclable paper, plastic and glass in one centralized bin, resulting in the hotel recycling more than 41 tons each year. Before adopting the program, items had to be sorted into seven different bins. The sorting is now done at an off-site processing center after the mixed recyclables are collected from special containers on the ECCH loading...