ATLANTA—IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group), one of the world’s largest hotel groups by number of rooms, announced that The Hotel Management Group, the company’s Americas Operations division, was awarded the Gold Halo Award for Best Environmental/Wildlife Campaign for its 2007 “Chase the Extraordinary” program from the Cause Marketing Forum. The Cause Marketing Halo Awards were presented at a luncheon late last month at the Cause Marketing Forum Conference in Chicago. “We are honored to receive the Gold Halo Award for Best Environmental/Wildlife Campaign from the Cause Marketing Forum,” said Tom Murray, COO, the Americas, IHG. “The Chase the Extraordinary campaign gave...

HOUSTON—Led by a dramatic increase in utility costs, the overall cost of running a facility is 10 percent higher than it was just four years ago, according to results from a recent International Facility Management Association research report. The study, Benchmarks V: Annual Facility Costs, shows that utility costs—which include electricity, gasoline, fuel oil, steam water and sewage—have jumped 19 percent compared to similar data from 2006. While the increase in utility costs may come as no surprise to some, it is happening at a time when energy consumption is down. When compared to IFMA’s 2006 benchmarking figures, average electricity...

NEW YORK—In a major initiative to reduce energy and carbon emissions significantly, the New York Marriott Downtown, a 500-room full-service Marriott hotel managed by Marriott International, Inc. and owned by Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc., celebrated the inauguration of its new “microturbine farm” with a ribbon cutting on June 3 in Lower Manhattan. The installation of two hotel owner-funded PureComfort systems built by UTC Power, a United Technologies Corp. company, makes the hotel the first in New York City to use this ultra clean technology to provide its own electricity, cooling and heating on-site. Waste heat generated by the system’s...

TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS, BWI—On the heels of the 10th Annual Caribbean Conference on Sustainable Tourism Development (STC-10), the Turks & Caicos Tourist Board announced its upcoming initiatives to maintain an eco-conscious environment throughout the luxurious Islands. Both tourists and residents will benefit from green efforts set forth by Turks & Caicos’ government including development of the world’s first “green island,” the Atlantic Ocean’s first mega-yacht marina, a Ritz-Carlton branded resort community committed to the preservation of West Caicos, and a new environmental center with an on-site naturalist on the private island of Ambergris Cay. “As a destination that...

AUSTIN, TEXAS—Visitors to this year’s Hospitality Industry Technology Exposition and Conference (HITEC) will have an opportunity to learn about some of the industry’s most innovative energy management technologies. Numerous vendors will be on hand to introduce their latest advancements on the trade show floor and GUESTROOM 2010 will also feature green technologies. HITEC will be held June 16 to 19 at the Austin Convention Center in Austin, Texas. The following is a summary of some of the technologies that will be featured by vendors at HITEC: Energy Authority International (EAI) will introduce its Web-based WiSuite guestroom energy management system that uses...

CLEVELAND, OHIO—Cleveland will be among a select handful of cities—including New York, Scottsdale, Ariz., and Washington D.C.—to be home to the 1 Hotel & Residences. The property will be located in the new Flats neighborhood. 1 is setting a standard in global environmentally-conscious luxury living, by combining five-star service and features with the finest sustainable architecture and interior design. The 16-story 1 Hotel & Residences will include approximately 150 guestrooms, high-tech meeting space, a nature-infused spa and an organic-based restaurant, along with exceptional views of the downtown skyline and the waterfront. Flats East Development LLC, a joint...

BEVERLY HILLS, CALIF.—Hilton Hotels Corp. announced short and long term goals and objectives towards building sustainability into the core fabric of its businesses worldwide. Christopher J. Nassetta, President & CEO, outlined directional targets for improvement in the company’s sustainability performance throughout the next five years within systemwide hotels globally. By 2014, goals for the Hilton Family of Hotels are to: • Reduce energy consumption from direct operations by 20 percent; • Reduce Co2 emissions by 20 percent; • Reduce output of waste by 20 percent; and • Reduce water consumption by 10 percent. “Upon becoming a truly global company with the acquisition of Hilton International and following the...

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...