MINNEAPOLIS—The Radisson Plaza Hotel Minneapolis announced that it has completed its conversion to a 100 percent smoke-free facility, including all public areas, meeting rooms and guestrooms. The month-long extensive cleaning process—including shampooing carpet and upholstered furniture, dry cleaning, painting, and other deep cleaning—focused on converting approximately 30 guestrooms to be smoke free at an investment of more than $15,000. “Our decision to become 100 percent smoke free reflects our commitment to providing guests with a clean, comfortable and healthy stay,” said Judith Kalfon, general manager of the Radisson Plaza Hotel Minneapolis. “The conversion is a significant enhancement for the hotel...

ORLANDO, FLA.—Marriott Golf, one of the world’s premier golf operators, announced new standards requiring 34 of the company’s managed golf courses throughout North America and the Caribbean to become Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuaries by the end of 2008. Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuaries, which enable golf facilities to protect the environment by enhancing natural areas and wildlife habitats, are part of a systemwide commitment by Marriott International, Inc. to promote environmental stewardship. Marriott’s Audubon Certification mandate program includes 34 golf courses at 25 locations throughout the United States, Canada, and the Caribbean, including famed golf destinations such...

AUSTIN, TEXAS—Online attendee registration for the 2008 Hospitality Industry Technology Exposition and Conference (HITEC) is now available at www.hitec.org. HITEC, a service of Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP), is the world’s largest hospitality technology exposition and conference. HITEC 2008 is June 16-19 at the Austin Convention Center in Austin, Texas. “HITEC is always a great opportunity to get a high-level overview of concepts at the education sessions, network with colleagues and meet vendors,” said Rahul Pandit, vice president of operations and people for Lemon Tree Hotels. HITEC 2008 offers a unique combination of top-notch hospitality technology education, led by industry...

DENVER—RockResorts, a luxury hotel company with a long-standing tradition of emphasizing the natural settings of its resort locations, is launching a brand-wide Green Weddings initiative beginning this summer. From the majestic mountains of Vail to the authentic adobes of Santa Fe, couples can now say “I Do” at a RockResort without saying “I Don’t” to Mother Nature. Those exchanging their vows at the nine unique RockResorts properties will do much more than just recycle the cans attached to their “Just Married” signs. Celebrating this special day at a RockResort offers shades of green sure to satisfy and make a difference...

SCHAUMBURG, ILL.—The Renaissance Schaumburg Hotel & Convention Center has announced the conversion of its chlorine recreation facility into an eco-friendly mineral pool. As the first hotel in Illinois to replace chlorine with a mineral-based formula, the hotel’s new pool will contain fewer waterborne irritants and no strong chlorine odor. “We are excited to be the first hotel in Illinois to offer guests a mineral-based pool experience that is gentler on the skin and eyes,” said Thomas Robertson, general manager. “These environmental benefits further our operational goal to implement conservation and environmental practices while delivering a superior guest experience.” The mineral pool...

LAS VEGAS—Participants in day two, the final day of the UNLV & JMBM Hotel Developers Conference here at the Green Valley Ranch Resort & Spa, heard from experts in finance, mixed-use developments, government programs and regulations, green hotel operations, and the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System. Kip Richardson, Director of Business Development for Ankrom Moisan Associated Architects, kicked off the day of educational sessions with a presentation entitled, “Beyond LEED: The Cutting Edge of Sustainable Design.” Richardson described some of the reasons why it is important to take a sustainable...

LAS VEGAS—About 400 people, including hotel developers, designers, architects and others were in attendance on the first day of the UNLV & JMBM Hotel Developers Conference here in Las Vegas. The event at the Green Valley Ranch Resort & Spa was packed full of educational sessions and networking opportunities—all geared toward helping attendees understand the true cost of green hotel development, as well as the ins and outs of the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System. The conference began with a keynote speech by Dan Esty, Director, Center for Environmental Law...

DENVER—The historic Zion Lodge in Zion National Park was named the Sustainable Hotel of the Year at the recent HotelWorld Global Hospitality and Design Award Ceremony and Expo in Las Vegas. The award was presented in recognition of the many environmental programs implemented by Denver-based operator Xanterra Parks & Resorts. “With its setting in one of the country’s most breathtaking national parks and because of its remarkable history, it is especially critical to do everything we can to minimize the environmental impact of Zion Lodge,” said Chris Lane, vice president of environmental affairs for Xanterra. “We have been successful...

TUCSON, ARIZ.—Local and state governments offer a slew of green building incentives for developers but the incentives are not always taken advantage of because of time constraints, according to a new study. “Green Building Incentives That Work: A Look at How Local Governments Are Incentivizing Green Development,” recommends that developers research existing incentives and also proactively lobby governments with preferred incentives. “We found that nearly a hundred local and state governments are offering green building incentives to private developers,” said Jerry Yudelson, a principal at Yudelson Associates, the firm hired to conduct the study by the National Association of...

RIVIERA MAYA, MEXICO—Nestled in the heart of the Riviera Maya, Tres Ríos, a 326-acre luxury eco-friendly resort, announced that Hacienda Tres Ríos will begin welcoming guests for the first time on July 2. Hacienda Tres Ríos has 273 suites ranging from 645 up to 2,063 square feet with views of the sea, fresh water canals, or lush tropical gardens. Each suite makes extensive use of local materials including furniture constructed from local cedar and Mexican marble floors. The suites feature 300-count Egyptian cotton linens, living areas with sofa beds, a pillow menu, terrace or private balcony, flat-screen satellite TVs, air-conditioning,...