ITHACA, N.Y.—Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration and the Johnson Graduate School of Management have joined forces with HEI Hotels & Resorts to create a course in which students will work with hospitality industry leaders to devise innovative and more cost-effective solutions to social and environmental issues. This pioneering collaboration is being led by the Leland C. and Mary M. Pillsbury Institute for Hospitality Entrepreneurship at the Cornell Hotel School and by the Center for Sustainable Global Enterprise at the Johnson School. Funding and strategic guidance is being provided by HEI Hotels & Resorts, a hotel investment and operating...

OTTAWA, ONTARIO—The Hotel Association of Canada (HAC) announced that Green Key rated hotels can now include their Key ratings in AAA/CAA travel guides. AAA/CAA will now be supporting green certified hotels that are also “Diamond-rated” properties by encouraging promotion of their Key rating in TourBook advertising both in Canada and the United States. “We are very pleased that AAA strongly supports environmental management and sustainability throughout the lodging industry and we look forward to extending this benefit to all Green Key hotels in North America,” said Tony Pollard, HAC president. “The consumer numbers show that the greening of hotels across...

NEW YORK—At its recent Women in Lodging (WIL) luncheon, the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA) and Dress for Success announced a national partnership to build awareness of and solicit donations to support the organization’s primary mission of promoting the economic independence of disadvantaged women. Joi Gordon, CEO of Dress for Success Worldwide, and Vicki Gordon, chair of AH&LA’s Women In Lodging Executive Council, officially kicked off the new flagship initiative of AH&LA’s WIL Connect membership category, which will include a series of fundraising events and suit drives at hotels across the United States in 2009. AH&LA will kick off...

SAN DIEGO—Constellation Property Group is introducing domus STAY; a bold alternative to the traditional hotel and extended stay experience. The first property; domus@STELLA, will open in San Diego in early 2009. The Stella blueprint is stamped by Marchese + Partners International, a fresh class of designer born out of Australian lifestyle. Designed as a contemporary urban chic project, Stella consists of two low-rise linear buildings containing 84 modern and minimalistic one- and two-bedroom units. The building facades are framed in clean lines and are regularly broken with warm timber screens and large expanses of glazing, creating an appeal of functionality...

MINNEAPOLIS—Newly tabulated results from a carbon-offset campaign conducted earlier this year by Carlson Hotels Worldwide report the initiative generated sufficient donations from members of Carlson’s goldpoints plus frequent-guest program to offset 340,436 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions. To date, members have converted 709,000 Gold Points into contributions for carbon-reduction projects operated by The CarbonNeutral Company. Carlson has matched the donations, doubling the overall value. The goldpoints plus program includes all Carlson hotel brands: Regent Hotels & Resorts, Radisson Hotels & Resorts, Park Plaza Hotels & Resorts, Country Inns & Suites By Carlson, and Park Inn. Carlson invited goldpoints plus members to...

ENGLEWOOD, CO.—Destination Hotels & Resorts, the fourth largest independent hotel management company in the United States, launched Destination Earth throughout its collection this year. Destination Earth is an environmental sustainability program. Since the program’s inception, properties have implemented more than 60 eco-friendly measures ranging from energy efficient lighting and reduction of water usage to property-wide recycling and purchasing eco-friendly products in all areas. Although the company has set operational benchmarks for various eco-friendly measures, the cornerstone of the program is property-based Green Teams who implement these practices and also create customized initiatives that work well in their particular operating...

ARLINGTON, VA.—During the holidays, it seems it is always better to give than it is to receive. Inspired by Shel Silverstein’s timeless children’s classic “The Giving Tree,” Kimpton’s Hotel Palomar Arlington at Waterview announces a unique eco-conscious package. Ideal for eco-savvy guests visiting the Washington metro area, “The Giving Tree” is a budget-conscious package that reminds us that there is no better time to give green than during the holiday season. Guests who stay at the Hotel Palomar Arlington and book “The Giving Tree” package receive: • A one night stay in a king deluxe room. • A young...

NEW YORK—The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA) launched its green strategy at its board of directors meeting on Sunday, November 9. The strategy focuses largely on minimum environmental guidelines, which are culled from a total of 88 overall guidelines targeting effective energy, water and waste management. The guidelines will be continuously added and built upon, with the next set focusing on design and construction, materials and resources, chemicals and cleaning, and indoor air quality. Each of the minimum guidelines includes case studies, business cases, and resources for general managers to implement. In addition, the AH&LA board of directors will...

NEW YORK—Carlson Hotels Worldwide has introduced a comprehensive new green guide outlining sustainability strategies and practical steps for environmental responsibility, that can be applied across all of Carlson’s five hotel brands. Entitled “Practical Guide to Greening Your Hotel,” the green guide is part of Carlson Hotels’ global initiative to develop programs, policies and partnerships based on responsible business practices. The new guide and strategy were announced at the American Hotel & Lodging Association Fall Conference in New York this past week. Carlson Hotel brands include Regent Hotels & Resorts; Radisson Hotels & Resorts; Park Plaza Hotels & Resorts’ Country Inns...

NEW YORK—Five exhibitors in five green categories were honored with Editors’ Choice Awards during the Opening Ceremonies of the 93rd annual International Hotel/Motel & Restaurant Show (IH/M&RS), Sunday, November 9, at New York City’s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. The awards program recognizes best new products within the categories of décor, essentials, luxury, restaurant and technology. The first day of the IH/M&RS was also highlighted by a keynote presentation on “Sustainability” by Christine Ervin, former president and CEO of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and president of Christine Ervin/Company. The 2008 IH/M&RS Editors’ Choice Award winners in the five...