CHICAGO—The Hilton Chicago is hosting a hospitality “Green Day” on Friday, February 1 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Northeast and Northwest Exhibit Halls which will allow more than 140 vendors to showcase their environmentally friendly products and services. The exhibits will be broken down into the following categories: chemicals, maintenance and janitorial supplies, paper products, office supplies, energy conservation and consumer food products. All hospitality organizations within the Chicagoland area, Hilton properties nationwide, along with the general public are encouraged to attend and participate in the showcase. The idea of going green has gone from a trend...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The International Ecotourism Society (TIES), the world’s largest and oldest ecotourism association dedicated to socially, ecologically and economically responsible travel, is partnering with FUNDEMAS to help further establish and strengthen ecotourism and sustainable tourism in El Salvador. FUNDEMAS, the Business Foundation for Social Action, is a foundation that promotes sustainable development through socially responsible business practices, entrepreneurial values and philanthropic initiatives. A strong advocate for sustainable tourism development, FUNDEMAS has been a member and collaborating partner of TIES since August 2006. As an upcoming international and regional tourism destination, El Salvador holds unique cultural and...

PALM BEACH GARDENS, FLA.—PGA National Resort & Spa, which is nearing completion of the first phase of a multi-million dollar renovation, was recently welcomed into the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) Green Lodging program. The Florida Green Lodging initiative provides the lodging industry with technical assistance, encouraging hotels and motels to adopt cost saving “green” practices that reduce waste and conserve natural resources. In addition to meeting the DEP’s Green Lodging requirements, PGA National Resort & Spa has instituted a resort-wide environmental policy, signed into action this summer by property managing director, Joel Paige. The policy requires that the...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA) has compiled a Green Best Practices list for hoteliers taking steps to cost-effectively “green” their own operations. Available on AH&LA’s website, the section features a growing list of actionable strategies, case studies, and timely green news from AH&LA members leading the way to a more eco-friendly hospitality community. Several notable Green Best Practices include: • Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, running eco-friendly and responsible kitchens worldwide; • Colorado’s Devil’s Thumb Ranch, the only U.S. property to be recognized for its...

PLANO, TEXAS—At the close of 2007, the 176-room NYLO Plano at Legacy became the first loft lifestyle hotel to open in the United States, according to executives at NYLO Hotels. The pioneering hotel, NYLO’s inaugural property, is in North Dallas. As a brand, NYLO features unique gathering spots, whimsical décor and myriad amenities for tech-savvy travelers. Stepping into the NYLO Plano lobby, for instance, guests see pod chairs hanging from high ceilings and signs for free WiFi. Chandeliers are made of glass shaped like antlers. With singular style and amenities, Atlanta-based NYLO is giving the mid-priced hotel category a...

SANDUSKY, OHIO—Several hundred waterpark resort developers from across the United States, Mexico and Canada are expected to meet in Sandusky, Ohio on February 27-29 to learn about developing and financing indoor waterparks as part of mixed-use resort projects. Saving energy will be the No. 1 topic on the agenda. Waterpark industry consultant Bill Haralson of William L. Haralson & Associates in Alto, N.M., and retractable roof expert Bart Riberich of Uni-Systems LLC of Minneapolis, are co-producers of this third annual event called “Developing & Financing Hotel Waterpark Resorts.” “Tom Kiser, known as America’s energy coach, is the keynote speaker at...

HOLLYWOOD, CALIF.—The Renaissance Hollywood Hotel has joined a list of elite organizations to earn the Energy Star Label from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for its efforts to conserve water and energy and protect the environment. Some of the ways the hotel is going green include: changing to energy efficient lighting and energy star efficient appliances, converting to a computerized energy management system, offering daily energy saving tips to all hotel cast members, and monitoring the property daily to make sure these systems are in place and working properly. The EPA’s list of Energy Star Leaders has grown...

CHICAGO—The green hotel wheels are spinning in Illinois as that state’s hotel and lodging association steps up its efforts to encourage properties to purchase renewable energy, recycle and much more. According to Marc Gordon, president of the state association, hotels that participate in such programs would be recognized with special icons in the association’s print directory and on its website. A hotel that purchases 60 percent of its electricity from renewable sources of energy, for example, would be recognized. The Illinois Hotel and Lodging Association is currently working with an energy provider to develop a program for hotels. It is...

NEW YORK—From the popularity of eco-lodges and “green” vacation tips in magazines to the rise of carbon offset programs among airlines, an increasing number of companies are taking steps to encourage sustainable travel choices. But how can responsible tourists separate the green-doers from the greenwashers? By choosing businesses that show they are meeting environmental and social standards by earning a seal of approval from an independent sustainable tourism certification program. Latin America experienced a 25 percent growth in the number of certified tourism businesses in 2007, up to 167 in October 2007 from 136 in 2006, according to the second...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Can surfing the Web help protect the environment and save you money? Yes, and it is as simple as buying one of the new Energy Star qualified computer products. With more than 500 newly qualified product models already on the shelves, there are many options for home and work that will reduce your energy bill and greenhouse gas emissions. “As the driver of America’s technology revolution, the innovative spirit of the computer industry is now powering our energy revolution,” said EPA Administrator Stephen L. Johnson. “Thanks to the new Energy Star specifications for computers, today’s consumers can be...