WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.—The Editors’ Choice Awards competition at the 92nd annual International Hotel/Motel & Restaurant Show (IH/M&RS) is going green, as an eco-friendly counterpart is added to each of the five categories presented annually—décor, essentials, luxury, restaurant and technology. A total of 10 Editors’ Choice Awards will be presented at the 2007 IH/M&RS, recognizing the most innovative new products—and environmentally-sound products—for the hospitality industry. In addition, the Kenneth F. Hine “Best of Show” Award will spotlight the overall best new product introduced at the market, taking place November 10-13, 2007, at New York City’s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. “The...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—EPA has updated its Top Green Power Purchasers list highlighting organizations committed to purchasing green power. The National Top 25 list of Green Power Partners accounts for more than 6 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh) per year of green power purchasing, more than 60 percent of the total kWh in the Green Power Partnership; reducing greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those of more than 700,000 vehicles. “America is shifting to a ‘green culture,’ with more and more businesses understanding that environmental responsibility is everyone’s responsibility,” says Marcus Peacock, EPA’s Deputy Administrator. “EPA commends the leading Green Power Partners for making...

ATLANTA—IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group), the world’s largest hotel group by number of rooms, announced plans for a 100-room new-build Hotel Indigo in Athens, Ga. Construction is anticipated to begin in the fall of 2007, with an expected opening date of spring 2009. The four-story new-build property will be owned by Rialto Property Partners, LLC, under a license agreement with a company in the InterContinental Hotels Group, and will be managed by IHG’s Americas operations division, The Hotel Management Group. Rialto will pursue LEED certification for the new hotel. “We are excited to be expanding the Hotel Indigo brand to Athens,”...

NATIONAL REPORT—Almost a year ago, Green Lodging News updated its readers on the progress states have made in creating and supporting green lodging efforts. At that time, it identified seven states with active green lodging programs. Today, at least eight states have one form of program or another. Each program is unique in its own way. These initiatives have become increasingly important over the past year; Florida’s governor, for example, will require his state’s employees to stay at Green Lodging Program hotels beginning January 1, 2008. Here is a state-by-state summary of green lodging programs: California—This state’s Green Lodging Program is...

TORONTO—A firm advocate of sustainable energy, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts has announced its continued involvement with the Pembina Institute, a leading non-profit environmental organization that actively promotes sustainable energy solutions. As part of this ongoing commitment, Fairmont is expanding the program in 2007 to include all of its corporate office computers across North America. Since 2006, Fairmont has purchased an equivalent of 390 MwH of wind power to offset the greenhouse gas emissions generated by all of its front desk check-in computers. Made possible by purchasing Eco-Logo certified wind power, Fairmont will now have a total of 837 computers...

ANNAPOLIS, MD.— In an industry that provides staff to meet every possible customer need, Thayer Lodging Group, a privately held real estate investment company with a portfolio of 14 hotels and over 2,800 guest rooms, has created a job position to focus solely on the health and well-being of all their hotel guests. Thayer Lodging Group recently promoted Haley Payne, a hotel executive with more than 10 years experience in the hospitality industry, to its new director of wellness. “Our goal is to give the customer a feeling of security and well-being just as if they were at...

BOSTON—The Doubletree Guest Suites Boston has earned the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s prestigious Energy Star, the national symbol for protecting the environment through superior energy performance. By earning the Energy Star, the Doubletree Guest Suites Boston is using at least 35 percent less energy than average buildings, while still providing quality service and comfort to its hotel guests and employees. Located near some of the nation’s finest universities overlooking the scenic Charles River and Boston Esplanade recreational trails with panoramic views of the Boston and Cambridge skylines, this upscale, 308-suite hotel joins approximately 930 buildings nationwide that earned the Energy...

REDWOOD CITY, CALIF.—Sofitel San Francisco Bay was recently recognized for becoming the first to collaborate with the City of Redwood City on its Recycled Water Project. The award ceremony, which was held at the hotel’s poolside last month, also celebrated the first gallons of recycled water that have traveled through the recycling system. “Like other areas in California, our community’s demand for water is exceeding the supply that is available from the region’s sole source of water—the Hetch Hetchy water system,” says Didier de La Ferrière, Sofitel San Francisco general manager. “By participating in this program, Sofitel is helping to...

WESTLAKE VILLAGE, CALIF.—Although nearly three-fourths of hotel guests in North America willingly participate in environmentally friendly programs offered during their hotel stays, many guests remain unaware of whether these programs are offered at the hotel property, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2007 North America Hotel Guest Satisfaction Study. In response to growing concern about global warming and conservation issues, being environmentally responsible has become a top trend in the hotel industry, with properties initiating various green programs, such as changing linens and towels only on request and using water-saving bathroom faucets and toilets. When guests were...

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.—The International Hotel/Motel & Restaurant Show (IH/M&RS) has solidified partnerships with the Green Restaurant Assn. (GRA) and Green Lodging News, paving the way for enhanced sustainability initiatives at the 2007 market, taking place November 10-13, 2007, at New York City’s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. Leaders of the two organizations will take active roles in presenting environmental seminars and developing sustainable hotel and restaurant awards. In addition, the GRA will host the Show’s first annual Green Restaurant Assn. Pavilion, showcasing the latest GRA-endorsed green products for the foodservice industry. “Sustainability is the hot topic in the industry right...