PALM BEACH GARDENS, FLA.— Thayer Lodging Group CEO Leland C. Pillsbury broke ground here recently on a project that will introduce Florida’s first LEED-certified, PURE-designated conference center that will be approved by The International Association of Conference Centers. Shortly after the ceremonial first shovel of dirt was tossed, Pillsbury escorted the crowd to a ceremonial tree planting in recognition of the project’s commitment to the environment. A few days prior to the event, invited guests received a handcrafted wooden box that contained a 12-inch sapling of a Longleaf Pine tree that would be planted in their name as...

NATIONAL REPORT—Summer-like weather is here and there is nothing better than kicking back on the beach or close to a pool. Why not kick back on some recycled plastic? There are a number of U.S.-based companies that manufacture outdoor furniture from high-density polyethylene (HDPE). HDPE is made from recycled plastic milk and water jugs. By purchasing furniture made from HDPE, one can help to close the recycling loop. In fact, at the end of its life, the furniture can be recycled and made into new furniture. From a design standpoint, there are literally hundreds of appealing color and style...

VANCOUVER, WASH.—The Hilton Vancouver, Washington, one of America’s first sustainably-designed hotels, is making history again this month as the first hotel in the world to earn both Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) and Green Seal certifications. The Green Seal environmental certification accolade comes three years after the hotel became the first major U.S. hotel—and the first Hilton Hotel—to earn LEED certification. “The Hilton Vancouver, Washington is the only hotel in the world to achieve environmental sustainability certification from two top universally accepted and independent analysts,” said Jeff Diskin, senior vice president, brand management—Hilton Hotels & Resorts. “This hotel...

OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLA.—The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA) today honored the winners of the AH&LA Achievement Awards, part of the Stars of the Industry Awards luncheon, held during the AH&LA Summer Summit at The Skirvin Hilton and sponsored by U.S. Foodservice. The awards, created in 1966, recognize individual hotel properties that have developed outstanding programs, events and campaigns. Winners were chosen for awards in the categories of community service, good Earthkeeping, guest relations, special events (one-time event and ongoing), and for outstanding diversity initiatives. SpringHill Suites by Marriott in St. Petersburg/Clearwater, Fla., won the community service award, small property...

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...