GREEN BAY, WIS.—Hotel Sierra of Green Bay, Wis., formerly the Regency Suites Hotel, has earned the Focus on Energy Award for Excellence in Energy Efficiency. With the help of Focus on Energy expertise and $10,500 in financial incentives, Hotel Sierra was able to contract with Johnson & Jonet to complete energy efficiency projects that will save them $25,000 in annual energy costs. These projects include: • Guestroom energy management controls, which reduce energy use in rooms not occupied by guests. • Kitchen exhaust ventilation which delivers the appropriate fan speed required to match the input air, resulting in less energy used. • Chiller...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill announced re-certification as a Green Seal-approved hotel. The renewed determination solidifies its status as one of only two Washington D.C. hotels with Green Seal Certification. In March 2002, the Hyatt Regency Washington underwent an extensive evaluation by Green Seal, Inc., to determine that its eco-conscious Washington D.C. hotel accommodations and facilities comply with the environmental and performance requirements of the Green Seal Environmental Standard for Lodging Properties, and was then recognized as Green Seal Certified. The downtown Washington D.C. hotel has continued to maintain certification for more than six years. Recycling and...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Now live, new websites for the American Hotel & Lodging Association, its Educational Foundation, and Educational Institute feature an improved user-friendly design and serve as a more comprehensive resource for members and the general online community. The sites, created based on click-through research and user feedback throughout the past year, encompass more than 4,000 new unique Web pages, with the goal of connecting each visitor to the desired page quickly and easily. Major highlights of the new AH&LA website include: • The Green Initiative section, featuring new examples of successful initiatives, cost-effective strategies for greening hotel operations, and an RSS news...

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....

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...