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...

DUBAI, U.A.E.—Zabeel Properties unveiled details of a new five-star landmark hotel and leisure development for Dubai. The Dubai-based luxury developer also confirmed the appointment of innovative LA-based architecture firm, GRAFT, whose team of design consultants for the project will include the Hollywood actor, Brad Pitt. The actor’s involvement in the design for the resort demonstrates his deep-seated interest in the project. It is set to become a flagship hotel complex for Dubai and a world leader in environmental sustainability. The proposed hotel and resort is striving for a minimum of LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) gold status....

CHICAGO—The National Restaurant Assn. launched “Conserve: Solutions for Sustainability”, an initiative designed to support the United States’ nearly one million restaurant and foodservice locations as they become more eco-friendly, at the Association’s recent Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show in Chicago. The Conserve website will educate restaurateurs on how taking small steps over time—or bigger steps for those who choose to do so—can make a difference for the future of our planet, as well as be positive for business. “We are launching Conserve to raise awareness and provide resources and information about eco-friendly practices to the entire restaurant and foodservice community,” said...

NATIONAL REPORT—For many designers, and the clients they represent, interior doors’ value as a design element has slowly diminished in recent years. No more the attention-grabbing “wall furniture” of the classical period and unlike their contemporary hardwood kin in floors and cabinetry, wood doors have been largely commoditized. For many, a door is just a door. But to those in the industry—and for a rapidly growing number of astute practitioners in the design/building community—doors have been rediscovered as a “haute commodity” in interior design. Interior doors are enjoying a significant renaissance as new materials, fabrication technologies and sustainable design invigorate...