WASHINGTON, D.C.—As part of its Dean’s Leadership Series, the Cornell University School of Hotel Administration will hold a “Sustainability in the Hospitality Industry” panel discussion on Thursday, June 12 from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. A reception will follow from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. The event will be held at the Willard InterContinental Hotel, 1401 Pennsylvania Avenue NW. The cost is $50 per person. Sponsors for the meeting include: Cornell Center for a Sustainable Future, Cornell Center for Hospitality Research, Courtesy Products, Leland C. and Mary M. Pillsbury Institute for Hospitality Entrepreneurship, Parasol Marketing Group, and the Willard...

ST. AUGUSTINE, FLA.—From the beaches through the historic district of the United States’ oldest city, to the golfing mecca of World Golf Village, accommodations in St. Augustine are setting the pace for membership in the Florida Green Lodging Program. Administered by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, the program establishes voluntary guidelines for hotels and motels to conserve natural resources and prevent pollution. Properties that meet the guidelines are recommended by the state to companies and trade organizations seeking environmentally-conscious lodging and convention facilities. “It’s not surprising to me that our destination is among the most environmentally-conscious in the...

AUSTIN, TEXAS—The 2008 Hospitality Industry Technology Exposition and Conference (HITEC) Buyer’s Guide, now available at HITEC.org, offers a valuable planning tool that is useful before, during and after the show. The Buyer’s Guide offers visitors a number of search functions, extensive information on each exhibitor and an easy-to-navigate, real-time floor plan. “With over 300 exhibitors, it can be a bit overwhelming to visit the exhibit hall at HITEC,” said Frank Wolfe, CAE, CEO of HFTP. “The Buyer’s Guide allows attendees to identify which exhibitors they want to visit. The Buyer’s Guide remains on the HITEC website for several months after...

BETHESDA, MD.—Marriott International, Inc. has launched an innovative opportunity for its customers booking group meetings to address climate change and improve the environment. A first in the lodging industry, Marriott will contribute funds on behalf of its customers to protect the critically endangered Brazilian Amazonas rainforest for meetings booked between July 1, 2008 and December 31, 2009. Marriott is also unveiling a menu of eco-friendly green meeting products and services that will enable groups of all sizes to save water and energy, reduce waste and recycle during their stays. Some of the ways Marriott will be making meetings green include...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The American Institute of Architects (AIA) has released a study of three green building rating systems (Green Globes, SBTool 07, and LEED NC 2.2). The study assesses their effectiveness in supporting the goals of the AIA sustainability position statement. In late 2007, the initial results were shared with the three groups whose systems were reviewed. After receiving feedback, the study was modified and further refined into the final report. The purpose of this exercise is to offer analysis to both industry and the public as an opportunity to learn how three unique, creative and evolving green building rating systems...

CODY, WYO.—Cody’s newest hotel, a luxury property called “The Cody,” opened earlier this month. The property is located on the west side of town near the Cody Rodeo Grounds, site of the Cody Nite Rodeo. The Cody is operated by MOA Hospitality of Chicago. Low-impact environmental initiatives are plentiful throughout The Cody, and the hotel is working toward LEED certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. Examples of sustainable features include low-VOC paints, guestroom doors made of recycled material, porcelain tile purchased from a LEED-certified manufacturer, reclaimed lumber used for accent trim, cabinets made from quick-growing alder, and mattresses made...

ATLANTA—Already one of the most environmentally responsible conference centers and hotels in the Southeast, the Emory Conference Center Hotel (ECCH) is now the only property in Georgia implementing a single stream recycling system. Single stream recycling enables ECCH employees and guests to mix recyclable paper, plastic and glass in one centralized bin, resulting in the hotel recycling more than 41 tons each year. Before adopting the program, items had to be sorted into seven different bins. The sorting is now done at an off-site processing center after the mixed recyclables are collected from special containers on the ECCH loading...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) has opened the first public comment period on LEED 2009, the next evolution of the LEED green building certification system. LEED 2009 represents a reorganization of the existing LEED rating systems for commercial buildings, combined with a series of major technical advancements focused on improving energy efficiency, reducing carbon emissions, and addressing other environmental and human health outcomes. “Continuing to seek the right balance between technical advancement and market transformation was a driving force behind the LEED 2009 work,” explained Scot Horst, Chairman of the volunteer LEED Steering Committee, which leads the...

BALTIMORE, MD.—The Hilton Baltimore Convention Center Hotel is taking green building to another level—the roof level. The $301 million, 750-room hotel next to the Baltimore Convention Center will include the Baltimore area’s largest green roof when construction is completed in August. The 32,000-square-foot green roof is located on the hotel’s east and west buildings. Dan Freed, principal of RTKL Associates, the architectural firm with offices in Baltimore that designed the hotel, said he didn’t know of another hotel in Maryland with a green roof the size of the Hilton’s. “Hotels are a little behind the curve on sustainable issues,” Freed said....

TALLAHASSEE, FLA.—With Memorial Day and the summer travel season approaching, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is encouraging Florida residents and guests to travel close, clean and green with the launch of a new green travel website and Florida Green Lodging Program locator map. The newly launched green travel website offers resources for families and travelers looking to get away without depleting their wallets, gas tanks or the environment. “With a state park or a Green Lodging facility within just a short car ride of any location in the state, there are plenty of opportunities for affordable, eco-friendly travel...