ALBANY, N.Y.—New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Pete Grannis today announced the launch of a new initiative to certify lodging establishments as “green” for employing environmentally friendly and sustainable practices. Forty-three hotels and inns—spread across every region of New York—are the first to sign on for the certification process. “Green tourism is good for our economy and good for our environment,” Governor David A. Paterson said. “The new Green Lodging Certification program will certify and assist New York’s hoteliers in the transition to environmental sustainability, helping them remain competitive and protect our environment at the same time....

BELGRADE, SERBIA—The International Hotel & Restaurant Association announced that its 47th Annual Congress will be held January 18 to 20, 2010, at the Continental Hotel in Belgrade, Serbia. With the start of the new decade, IH&RA will host an event that highlights the future of the hospitality industry. Belgrade, Serbia embodies this year’s theme of looking towards the future for opportunities of growth and development. Leaders from all parts of the world representing some 200,000 hotels and six million restaurants will convene to exchange ideas about the major issues of this year: Climate Change and Hospitality, Natural Disaster and Hospitality,...

VALLEY CENTER, CALIF.—Harrah’s Rincon Casino & Resort has diverted more than 400 tons of recyclables, reduced Styrofoam use by 25 percent and cleaned up more than eight miles of San Diego County beaches. These conservation efforts are the result of the employee driven “Green Committee,” which meets bi-weekly in support of the company’s CODEGreen Commitment. “CODEGreen is our commitment to conservation and sustainability,” says senior vice president and general manager Janet Beronio. The Green Committee is comprised of Harrah’s employees who want to make a difference. “There were so many ideas at the first meeting,” exclaims Brendan O’Kane, facilities manager...

LAS VEGAS—Today, CityCenter embarks on the single largest hiring effort in the nation as it begins to fill 12,000 permanent positions. The urban resort destination will open on the Las Vegas Strip this December. “We’re proud to celebrate this significant milestone as we begin to extend job offers to 12,000 deserving individuals,” said Bobby Baldwin, president and CEO, CityCenter. “Rich in diversity, intelligence and passion, this team will form the foundation of the extraordinary experience that CityCenter will deliver. Since breaking ground in 2006, CityCenter has employed more than 9,000 construction workers who have helped bring this vision to reality....

HORSHAM, PA.—The Green Key Eco-Rating Program (Green Key), one of the first of its kind to rank and certify hotels and resorts based on their commitment to sustainable “green” practices, has expanded its operations to the United States. The launch of the website www.greenkeyglobal.com signifies the evolution of the program from its Canadian roots to one that serves the needs of conservation-minded properties across Canada and the United States. The Green Key evaluation is a comprehensive 140-question audit that is self-administered by staff at the participating property. The audit covers the following operational areas and sustainable practices: Corporate Environmental Management,...

SILVER SPRING, MD.—Choice Hotels International, Inc. and Rebuilding Together launched their national relationship on September 11, by providing substantial repairs and renovations to Stepping Stones Shelter in Montgomery County, Md. More than 100 Choice Hotels volunteers were onsite to help with the renovations. This project is the first of 20 Rebuilding Together projects made possible by a grant awarded by the Choice Hotels International Foundation, in addition to a grant provided by the Rodeway Owners Assn., focused on repairing the homes of low-income families. The multi-year relationship—named “Room to Rebuild”—is part of the ongoing commitment by Choice Hotels to strengthen...

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA—In the highly competitive business events market, hundreds of cities around the world are vying to attract global attention and a larger slice of the meetings market. Melbourne, one of the “World’s Most Livable Cities”—according to The Economist—has found a way to not only be noticed, but to set a global benchmark. Responding to the international call for sustainability, the Australian city has opened what could be the greenest convention center in the world, described in superlatives everywhere for its architectural design, cutting-edge technologies and comprehensive Earth-friendly services. Opened in June 2009 and integrated with the Melbourne Exhibition Centre,...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—California’s first-in-the-nation Green Building Standards Code will help guide new green code regulations for commercial buildings worldwide. The International Code Council (ICC) has announced it is developing a new code for commercial buildings entitled the International Green Construction Code (IGCC), and will use the current California Green Building Standards Code as a key reference document. “California continues to lead the nation and the world in protecting the environment and fighting climate change,” said Governor Schwarzenegger. “I am proud that our efforts to reduce energy consumption and carbon output serve as an example for the rest of the nation and...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Green Seal Inc. announced that the Green Seal Environmental Standard for Restaurants and Food Services, GS-46, has been approved by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). First published in May 2009, GS-46 is based on real data on the environmental impacts of restaurants and food services including the impacts of food, energy and water use, and supplies. As a result, the GS-46 standard provides a comprehensive framework to guide operations on how to reduce their environmental impacts and is the basis for Green Seal Certification. GS-46 is the first Green Seal specification to be approved as an American National...

LAS VEGAS—CityCenter announced that it has received three Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold Certifications from the U.S. Green Building Council for: ARIA Resort’s hotel tower; ARIA Resort’s convention center and theater; and Vdara Hotel. ARIA and Vdara will open in December on the Las Vegas Strip and are the first of CityCenter’s developments to be LEED certified. CityCenter anticipates Gold or Silver LEED certification for its remaining developments which include Las Vegas’ first Mandarin Oriental; Crystals, a 500,000-square-foot retail and entertainment district; Veer Towers, the community’s only strictly residential buildings; and The Harmon (opening late 2010),...