WASHINGTON, D.C.—Marriott International Inc. announced that more than 85 hotels will earn the Energy Star label—signifying 35 percent less energy use than average buildings—from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) this year. With more than 200 Energy Star-labeled hotels currently, Marriott continues to lead the hospitality industry in energy management and has set a goal to certify at least eight hotels per month with the Energy Star award. Recently, 12 hotels in Boston were recognized at the Boston Marriott Quincy. The 12 Boston hotels earning the Energy Star label include: Boston Marriott Quincy; SpringHill Suites Peabody; SpringHill Suites...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC) Greenbuild International Conference and Expo, the premiere green building conference in the world, is moving to Chicago for its 2007 show, which will be held on November 7-9, 2007, as previously announced. “Chicago is welcoming us with open arms” says Peter Templeton, Vice President of Education & Research, USGBC. “Chicago is not only one of the greenest cities in the country, Mayor Richard Daley has set a high bar for sustainable leadership and green building is a significant part of his commitment.” Templeton acknowledged that the move from Los Angeles...

PORTLAND, ORE.—A little more than 100 meeting planners, hoteliers, vendors, convention and visitors bureau representatives and others gathered here last week for the 2007 Greening the Hospitality Industry Conference. The event was held at the Green Seal-certified Doubletree Hotel and Executive Meeting Center and organized by the Portland, Ore.-based Green Meeting Industry Council (GMIC). The purpose of this event, according to GMIC, was to “encourage the meeting industry as a whole to embrace environmental responsibility in order to reduce the impacts of our activities as well as capitalize on the opportunities and benefits reduced waste presents.” Sustainable...

CLEVELAND, OHIO—Cleveland, Ohio-based Lodging Hospitality magazine, Saint Charles, Mo.-based Pineapple Hospitality and Boulder, Colo.-based Sustainable Travel International (STI) have announced that the Green Hospitality Conference (www.greenhospitality.net) being held March 14 at the Hilton Anatole in Dallas will be carbon neutral. “Carbon neutral” represents the point at which greenhouse gas emissions have been identified, measured and, where possible, reduced, and remaining emissions have been offset through high-quality renewable energy, energy-efficiency and/or reforestation projects. “This will be one of the first carbon-neutral Green Hospitality Conferences,” says Brian T. Mullis, STI president. “As an educational-based event, we collaborated with Lodging Hospitality...

SAN JUAN, P.R.—As of February 1, 2007, the San Juan Marriott Resort and Stellaris Casino is officially a nonsmoking hotel and the first in Puerto Rico to institute a no smoking policy. The smoking ban will be instituted throughout the entire hotel, including the rooms, balconies, lobby, bar and restaurants, with the hotel’s Stellaris Casino following suit on March 1, 2007. In October 2006, Marriott instituted its Smoke-Free Hotel Environment strategy, representing the industry’s largest move to a nonsmoking environment. It encompassed all of the company’s lodging brands in the United States and Canada, and was optional for...

NATIONAL REPORT—In a three-week period, Denver was hit with three major snowstorms unlike any the area has experienced in decades. Each one caused the city to essentially shut down. At about the same time this was happening, New Yorkers were enjoying near 70 degree weather, at least 30 degrees warmer than what is expected this time of the year. Although global warming may indeed be playing a part in this year’s crazy weather, scientists say a lot of it is because of El Niño, a weather pattern that has played havoc in North America before. In the past it has...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The Environmental Protection Agency is releasing a final specification for the latest generation of water-saving, high-efficiency toilets. Those that use less than 1.3 gallons per flush and meet performance standards for quality will qualify for EPA’s WaterSense label to help consumers make informed buying decisions about water-efficient products. “The WaterSense label will help consumers identify high-performing, water-efficient products,” saYS EPA Assistant Administrator for Water, Benjamin H. Grumbles. “By purchasing WaterSense labeled plumbing fixtures, consumers can help protect the water supply and their wallets.” The new toilets are the product of extensive research in fluid dynamics conducted...

DALLAS—Lodging Hospitality Magazine and Pineapple Hospitality have announced the date and location for their first Green Hospitality Conference. The event will be held on March 14 at the Hilton Anatole Hotel in Dallas. The conference will precede Lodging Hospitality’s annual Hospitality Operations & Technology event. The one-day Green Hospitality Conference will feature panel sessions on green housekeeping, design and construction, and green power. Four roundtable breakouts will focus on energy efficiency, water conservation, waste reduction and recycling, and air quality. At the end of the day, the closing session will give attendees the opportunity to discuss panel and roundtable topics. “Now...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The National Restaurant Assn. announced that attendee, exhibitor and media registration for the association’s 2007 Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show is available on the show website—www.restaurant.org/show. The 2007 show, to be held May 19-22 at McCormick Place in Chicago, is the restaurant and hospitality industry’s largest event. More than 73,500 industry professionals from 110 countries will gather to find new products and services, build relationships and network, learn from experts and peers, as well as explore the latest trends in food and beverage, equipment and training and cooking techniques. “The National Restaurant Assn. Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show offers everything...

NEW ORLEANS—As part of Operation CPR (City Park Restoration), more than 900 volunteers from Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc. have restored historic Popp’s Fountain and the surrounding landscape in New Orleans City Park. Popp’s Fountain was a major revenue generator for City Park pre-Katrina; the reopening of this venue is integral to the future financial viability of City Park. Following Hurricane Katrina the staff of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide expressed a strong desire to assist New Orleans in its recovery efforts. The company developed Operation CPR to aid the city in recovery. For this project...