ATLANTA—When NYLO Dallas/Las Colinas opens in late July 2009, it will run on 100 percent renewable energy. The loft-style boutique hotel brand has signed an agreement with TXU Energy to become the supplier’s first hotel customer in the Dallas/Fort Worth area to purchase 100 percent Renewable Energy Certificate-based electricity. “This is a huge initiative as we look to become an even more eco-friendly brand,” said Patrick O’Neil, executive vice president of operations for NYLO Hotels, which already incorporates renewable energy in all of its other locations. “TXU Energy is our neighbor in Las Colinas, and we are proud to work...

LONG BEACH, N.Y.—The Allegria Hotel & Spa, located in Long Beach, N.Y., just steps away from the Atlantic Ocean, will open July 1. The 143-room property is expected to earn LEED certification by this fall. The hotel previously was a 140-room assisted living facility. It was renovated and expanded by three floors. Minimal demolition was needed during the conversion. The hotel will include a rooftop Joseph Christopher for Beauty & Wellness spa and a poolside bar, Jacks on the Rocks. It will serve light spa fare and organic juices and smoothies, all prepared under the direction of chef Todd...

NORWALK, CONN.—HEI Hotels & Resorts, one of the United States’ fastest growing private owner/operators of hotel real estate, announced the company will be presented with the 2009 Corporate Energy Management of the Year Award at The Association of Energy Engineers (AEE)’s Awards Celebration Banquet, held in conjunction with the World Energy Engineering Congress (WEEC), on November 4 of this year. The event will be held at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C. “Energy consumption is one of the leading issues facing the world today,” said Bob Holesko, CEM, vice president of facilities, HEI Hotels & Resorts. “This...

SAN FRANCISCO—Kimpton Restaurants, a collection of 45 chef-driven restaurants in the United States and Canada, and a recognized environmental pioneer, announces three new sustainable initiatives. As the latest addition to Kimpton’s EarthCare program, guests can enjoy in-house purified still and sparkling water, increased eco-friendly wine selections, and sustainable seafood dishes at restaurants in 21 cities. Thirty percent of wine lists will feature eco-friendly selections by January 2010, including organic, biodynamic and sustainable wines from small and large producers. Only sustainable seafood selections will be offered at restaurants, in accordance with Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch program (currently in place). In-house...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The building industry is encouraged to reach out to Congress to promote high-performance buildings during High-Performance Buildings week. The High-Performance Building Congressional Caucus Coalition (HPBCCC) is hosting the first annual Virtual Congressional Visit Days during the week of June 15 to 19. Members of the HPBCCC participating organizations are asked to contact their member of Congress by phone and e-mail and encourage them to join the High-Performance Building Congressional Caucus and to focus on high-performance building issues. The week has been dubbed “High-Performance Buildings Week.” Co-chairs of the High-Performance Building Congressional Caucus, Representative Russ Carnahan (D-MO) and Representative Judy...

HIDDEN VALLEY, QUEENSLAND, AUSTRALIA—The Solar Eco Cabins and Interpretive Centre at Hidden Valley Cabins are an inspiration for the tourist industry and the community to follow, Stephen Pahl, CEO of Ecotourism Australia, said recently. “Hidden Valley Cabins is Australia’s first fully carbon neutral resort and tour business, and they have recently achieved Advanced Ecotourism Certification,” he added. “The official opening of the Solar Eco Cabins on April 4 is the culmination of the McLennan family’s commitment to environmental improvement over more than 20 years and they have achieved a model that should inspire the rest of the tourist industry...

LAS VEGAS—An array of high-profile private- and public-sector organizations, including many household names in the United States and abroad, have lent their support to the second WaterSmart Innovations Conference and Exposition, slated for October 7 to 9 in Las Vegas. Presented by the Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA) in conjunction with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) WaterSense Program and the American Water Works Association (AWWA), WaterSmart Innovations is the largest and most comprehensive conference of its kind in the world. Other major organizations supporting WaterSmart Innovations are the Alliance for Water Efficiency, Audubon International, GreenPlumbers USA, International...

COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO.—Cheyenne Mountain Resort has been recognized for its green practices and operation with the Silver Tier sustainability status by the International Association of Conference Centers (IACC). “In order to fully commit the property to protecting the environment through sustainable operations, several years ago Cheyenne Mountain Resort launched a multi-faceted, resort-wide program designed to save water and energy, reduce waste, and implement a full range of eco-friendly practices,” said John Branciforte, director of sales and marketing. “We are delighted that the IACC has recognized our efforts to steadily reduce our impact on the environment by adopting a wide...

BURBANK, CALIF.—In celebration of World Environment Day, Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund (DWCF) announced the funding of programs that will support more than 90 species and promote habitat conservation in 33 countries. The 2009 DWCF grant recipients will receive almost $1.5 million for efforts ranging from protecting Pakistan’s majestic Snow Leopards, to following the migration of Magellanic penguins in Argentina to reintroducing endangered Whooping Cranes in eastern North America. “Creating a positive ecosystem impact is a key goal of The Walt Disney Company,” said Dr. Beth Stevens, senior vice president, environmental affairs, The Walt Disney Company. “The Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund...

AUSTIN, TEXAS—With the worldwide economic downturn on the forefront of everyone’s minds, businesses across the globe are incorporating creative methods to work towards financial recovery. A panel of hospitality technology experts, representing large to small properties, will discuss the state of the hospitality industry and the economy during the 2009 Hospitality Industry Technology Exposition and Conference (HITEC) General Session “Useful Tech Weapons for Economic Battles.” The session is Tuesday, June 23 at 8:30 a.m. at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, Calif. “The hospitality industry is no exception when it comes to being affected by the economic downturn,” said Frank...