NATIONAL REPORT—“Leading the hospitality industry in promoting education, inter-cooperation, and endorsed policies for environmentally responsible practices, construction methods, materials and environments.” That is the mission of the Network of Executive Women in Hospitality’s Sustainability Committee. Formed last year, the committee currently includes 11 members representing design, architecture, purchasing, manufacturing, and hotel asset management. “Two years ago, NEWH recognized the need to get involved in sustainability,” says Jillian Van Dresser, principal, The Van Dresser Co. in Atlanta and the committee’s sustainability adviser. “We identified several initiatives, the first of which is a Resource Directory.” Now available on the...

NATIONAL REPORT—State-of-the-art concrete building systems can save a hotel owner money through energy savings. But equally important, concrete systems can provide hotel guests with a comfortable, healthy, environmentally friendly place to relax during their time away from home. Concrete can provide a sustainable structure that will maintain its durability, energy savings and beauty for the full life of the building. Hotels built with concrete wall, floor and roof systems that incorporate rigid foam insulation with concrete, have optimal energy performance because of their inherent thermal mass properties. Thermal mass has the ability to store heat during the hottest periods of...

HONOLULU, HAWAII—Outrigger Hotels & Resorts and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Marine Sanctuary Program (NMSP) have entered into an agreement designed to expand general public awareness about ocean conservation. NOAA is a federal agency that falls under the U.S. Department of Commerce and focuses on the condition of the oceans and atmosphere. Among other responsibilities, the agency oversees the National Marine Sanctuary Program, a system of 13 national marine sanctuaries and one marine national monument. Outrigger Hotels & Resorts is a family-owned hotelier based in Waikiki with properties throughout Hawaii and the Pacific. For years,...

LOS ANGELES—Vinotemp International, a domestic producer of wine cooling units, is stepping into a new area of business with its Green Line series, which not only increases the level of fine wine protection but also involves consumers in protecting the environment while enjoying their wine. This all becomes possible with thermoelectric technology that offers quiet, energy-efficient operation. The main advantage of thermoelectric technology is ecological cleanness. There are no chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) used that damage the ozone layer. Another benefit of the wine cooling units is the absence of any moving parts (except fan)....

AMERICAN CANYON, CALIF.—Wen-I Chang, founder and president of Atman Hospitality Group Inc., announced that the company’s Gaia Napa Valley Hotel & Spa has received Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. The hotel is the first in the United States to achieve this level of certification. The 132-room property, located here in American Canyon, opened last October. It sits on 4.6 acres and includes green touches such as chemical-free landscaping; 100 percent recycled tile; a guest van that uses alternative fuel; waterless urinals; plates on guestroom doors that include the name of...

NEW YORK—Starwood Capital Group announced that the recently launched “1” Hotel and Residences, the world’s first luxury, eco-friendly global hotel brand, will open New York City’s first five-star green hotel on West 40th Street in Manhattan, across from Bryant Park. The “1” Hotel and Residences will be part of a proposed 31-story mixed-use green tower being developed by 40th Street Development, LLC, an affiliate of Ascent Real Estate Advisors, LLC, of New York. The new luxury project, which will also feature condominium residences and dining concepts developed by restaurateur Stephen Hanson, will be a green project built to...

PORTLAND, ORE.—The Doubletree Hotel & Executive Meeting Center Portland-Lloyd Center announced that the property has been recognized by the City of Portland’s Office of Sustainable Development for its commitment to sustainability. The BEST Award is the latest acknowledgement of the Doubletree’s efforts to bring sustainability into the hospitality industry. The 476-room Doubletree is the first lodging property in Oregon to be certified with a Green Seal “green hotel” designation, and they have been honored by the U.S. EPA and by the national Doubletree organization for their green programs. The Doubletree was recently included on the “100 Best Companies...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The American Hotel & Lodging Assn. (AH&LA) has teamed up with the London-based International Tourism Partnership, which is a program of The Prince of Wales International Business Leaders Forum, to launch its Going Green initiative. Going Green offers guidelines for hotels to set minimum standards to improve sustainability and achieve goals for better environmental management. A set of six defined standards have been established to assist hotel managers in designing a framework for making choices that are good for the environment and the bottom line. These standards involve hotel policy; staff training; environmental management; purchasing; communities; and...

PARIS—Gilles Pélisson, director and CEO of Accor, and Michèle Pappalardo, president of France’s Agency for Environment and Energy Management (ADEME), signed a third framework agreement to expand their joint programs in six areas: renewable energy development, energy management, waste prevention/management, international cooperation, communication and eco-design. The new three-year agreement will allow the partners to build on existing projects, with the long-term goal of stimulating other initiatives in the hotel business. With ADEME’s backing, 100 new Accor hotels will be fitted with solar panels, bringing the number of Accor establishments equipped worldwide to 200 by 2010. Under a broad...

BEVERLY HILLS, CALIF.—Doubletree Hotels announced the early completion of its Pledge to Plant Challenge following a strong public response. The proposed month-long campaign with The National Arbor Day Foundation, aimed at raising awareness about the importance of trees, struck an environmental chord with America as Doubletree was forced to close its website to further entries after receiving 35,000 entries and nearly 100,000 website hits in less than two weeks. As a result of the outpouring of support for both the campaign and the environment, Doubletree will honor additional pledges by tripling its original tree planting contribution to nearly...