BUFFALO, N.Y.—Delaware North Companies is keeping its International Organization for Standardization (ISO) registration thanks to the results of independent audits at several managed properties. Three properties had zero noncomformances. The Lodge at Geneva-on-the-Lake in Ohio, Delaware North Companies’ corporate office in Buffalo, N.Y., and Gideon Putnam Resort in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., met all ISO requirements. GreenPath, Delaware North Companies’ environmental management system, aims to protect, preserve and effectively manage “green“ initiatives at all locations. Delaware North was the first U.S. hospitality company, as well as the first U.S. National Park concessionaire, to receive ISO registration. “GreenPath’s primary objectives are to...

ATLANTA—As the federal government prepares for the presidential transition in January, it will face challenges in dealing with increasingly complex issues and new directives from the Obama administration and the new Congress, especially concerning energy issues. A new report from the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) provides a potential roadmap for addressing the nation’s dependence on foreign energy sources and its greenhouse gas emissions while growing the economy. “Buildings are often overlooked as an opportunity to reduce energy consumption and offer an excellent opportunity to achieve national energy goals,” says ASHRAE president Bill Harrison. Buildings are...

LEXINGTON, KY.—The 2008 National Tour Assn. (NTA) Annual Convention, held in November in Pittsburgh, set a record for the amount of materials that were recycled from a single show at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center. The center is the first and largest certified green convention center in the world. Officials at the convention center reported that everyone who attended the NTA Convention helped to recycle 9.435 tons of material. The figure includes nearly 3.465 tons of composted materials, three tons of cardboard and 2.97 tons of bottles, cans and loose paper. Additionally, 123,500 gallons of water was reclaimed....

CHANHASSEN, M INN.—The national hotel chain, AmericInn, announces the environmental recognition of its AmericInn property located in Sarasota, Fla. This hotel location has been honored with a Green Lodging Certificate from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) for taking important steps to ensure its hotel environment is eco-friendly for guests. The hotel has also introduced a limited quantity of PURE Allergy-Friendly Rooms, in which every surface, fabric, and air and water are treated for maximum comfort. The Sarasota-located AmericInn has been given this designation for meeting energy efficiency, waste and water reduction and indoor air quality benchmarks set by...

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.—The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA) is now accepting seminar proposals for the 94th annual International Hotel/Motel & Restaurant Show (IH/M&RS), taking place November 7-10, 2009, at New York City’s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. Experts are encouraged to share their research and insight at North America’s premier event for the hospitality industry, which attracts some 35,000 trade professionals and 1,000 exhibitors annually. The deadline to submit proposals is March 2, 2009. Proposals focused on timely and trend-driven information, within the areas of lodging ownership and management, consumer travel trends, sustainability and related issues will be given...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Grosvenor, the international property development, investment and fund management group, is embarking on a $35 million renovation and re-branding of an old Holiday Inn hotel in Chevy Chase, Md. It closed earlier this year and will reopen as a Courtyard by Marriott in the spring of 2009. Grosvenor is seeking a Silver LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) rating from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) for the newly renovated hotel. The renovation will include expanding the hotel from 214 to 226 rooms and creating 1,500 additional square feet of retail space just north of Saks Jandel with...

CHICAGO—Hyatt Hotels & Resorts has announced the January 2009 launch of its second property under its new brand, Andaz. Located on Los Angeles’ Sunset Strip—the site of the Hyatt West Hollywood—Andaz West Hollywood will reflect the cosmopolitan feel of its surrounding neighborhood while showcasing the brand’s friendly and caring service, relaxed ambience and vibrant social spaces. Launched in 2007 with Andaz Liverpool Street in London, the Andaz brand was designed with simplicity and locality in mind. Andaz offers a flexible and personalized experience beginning with the arrival process. Departing from convention, guests are welcomed into the Andaz Lounge, a non-traditional...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Solar Power International announced that its Solar Conference and Expo will be held in Anaheim, Calif., October 27 to 29, 2009 to accommodate the event’s rapid growth. Attendance at what was already the industry’s largest solar conference and expo in North America jumped from 12,500 in 2007 to 23,200 in 2008, according to the Solar Electric Power Association (SEPA) and Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), the show organizers. The new location will be able to meet the increased demand for hotel accommodations, exhibition and meeting space, and will allow the event to deliver a positive experience for all...

CHICAGO—Hyatt Regency McCormick Place in downtown Chicago launched an extensive recycling program and energy conservation program entitled, “When not in use, turn off the juice,” one year ago. A unique effort to compost biodegradable food material has been introduced, and Hyatt Regency McCormick Place bottles its own water at its restaurant, Shor, as well. The hotel’s green program has garnered successful results with the participation of both its entire staff and guests. In the past year, 76 tons of material (equaling 300 cubic yards) has been recycled, approximately 1,500 trees have been saved, and more than three tons of...

ORLANDO, FLA.—While marketers of travel services may gladly bid adieu to 2008, the year ahead promises to be equally challenging as competition for travelers heightens, according to Peter Yesawich, president and CEO of Ypartnership, a leading marketing, advertising and public relations agency serving travel, leisure and entertainment clients. According to research conducted by Ypartnership, the travel intentions of Americans remain robust with 71 percent of active travel households planning at least one overnight trip during the next six months, the same as one year ago. “Our most recent tracking surveys reveal there is still plenty of demand for travel services...