LAS VEGAS—Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth (NPHY) and Las Vegas Sands announced the expanded Nevada Youth Homelessness Summit will take place November 8 at The Smith Center for the Performing Arts. With support from the UNLV Greenspun College of Urban Affairs and the Las Vegas Review-Journal, the seventh annual Summit shifts to a statewide focus, recognizing the imperative to attack the youth homelessness issue with a broader movement that can more effectively address state-level policy initiatives and create collaborations for innovative solutions. This year’s Summit will provide the foundation to build the state’s first plan to end youth homelessness, modeling the effort to build...

NEW YORK—The Seminole Tribe of Florida and Hard Rock International received a Freedom Award from PACT (Protect All Children from Trafficking) at the recent Freedom Awards Benefit at the Prince George Ballroom in New York City.  PACT is the new name for the organization formerly known as ECPAT-USA. Seminole Tribe of Florida member Durante Blais-Billie accepted the award on behalf of Seminole Tribe Chairman Marcellus Osceola Jr. and Councilwoman Mariann Billie, who were both individually recognized at the event. The award was presented by Faith Robles, an indigenous native of Mexico and survivor of human trafficking. “The Freedom Awards ceremony is...

CHICAGO—Hyatt Hotels Corp. published Hyatt’s 2022 World of Care Highlights and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DE&I) Report, spotlighting colleagues and hotels around the globe who are bringing Hyatt’s commitment to caring for the planet, people and responsible business to life across the communities it serves. Hyatt also announced progress across environmental and social impact initiatives, which include, for example, strengthening the engagement of hotels around renewable electricity opportunities and working with the Hyatt Hotels Foundation to empower survivors of human trafficking. As the world evolves and new challenges emerge, Hyatt has advanced its global Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) strategy through...

LOS ANGELES—The future of automation technologies will play a significant role in restaurant automation strategy. However, the jury is out on the emergence of robots in restaurants. Some individuals view them as a threat to jobs and the ever so important human element of hospitality, while others see them as a cost-saving revolution that will alleviate the ever-acute staffing crises. Whatever the public opinion, reality dictates that robots are taking over certain restaurant tasks and systems that directly impact the restaurant experience. Several factors including rising labor costs, a labor shortage, expensive rents, and employee turnover have led restaurateurs to...

MCLEAN, VA.—Hilton unveiled the results of its Green Ramadan campaign. A global first for Hilton in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar, the collaboration combined Hilton’s Travel with Purpose strategy and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) West Asia’s “Recipe of Change” Sustainable Ramadan campaign with Winnow’s artificial intelligence technology, allowing for digitally led tracking of waste from production to plate. To measure, manage, and mitigate food waste across key markets in the Middle East, the Green Ramadan initiative was implemented in three of Hilton’s hotels: Waldorf Astoria Lusail Doha, Conrad Dubai, and Hilton Riyadh Hotel & Residences. The first...

DALLAS—Economy lodging brands Motel 6, Proud Sponsor of Pets, and Studio 6 have teamed up with the Humane Society of the United States to support the organization’s More Than a Pet campaign, which works to raise awareness of the pet poverty crisis, provide financial solutions for struggling pet owners, and keep pets and their families together by increasing access to care and supplies. Through the partnership, Motel 6 and Studio 6 will sponsor up to nine truckloads of pet food in areas that need it most, supplying one month of meals to 15,300 animals. The lodging brands have a long history of supporting dog and cat...

BERLIN, GERMANY—With focus on its ambitious goal of becoming the first net zero CO2-emission hostel chain in Europe by 2025, a&o Hostels, the world’s largest hostel chain, has released The a&o Sustainability Report 2022 to document its efforts and progress on sustainability issues while serving as an inspiration—even a road map—for other hospitality operators to follow suit. The report offers comprehensive analysis of key sustainability issues and the company’s approach to them over the past year. “Sustainability is important to me personally. Not because it is fashionable, but because it is equally important for economic success, the preservation of our...

VERO BEACH, FLA.—Over the weekend at Disney’s Vero Beach Resort, researchers from the Sea Turtle Conservancy (STC) and Disney Conservation released two sea turtles as part of the 16th annual Tour de Turtles “migration marathon.” Tour de Turtles is a fun, educational event that follows the migration of sea turtles from their nesting beaches to their feeding grounds and, ultimately, provides scientific data on how best to protect their species. The Disney Conservation Fund (DCF) and Disney Cruise Line are each sponsoring a turtle this year, whose names, Madame Leota and Harriet, are the names of characters in Disney’s frighteningly fun...

MALE—Siyam World Maldives is committed to promoting sustainability and preserving the beauty of our oceans, protecting marine life, and reducing the environmental impact in line with Sun Siyam Resorts’ group-wide sustainability program Sun Siyam Cares. Siyam World continues to drive sustainability initiatives forward with the most significant project being a coral restoration effort in their house reef. The coral frames are carefully put in place by resort staff and guests, providing habitat for broken coral pieces and allowing them to grow into an artificial reef structure. The in-house local Marine Biologist Thuhu and her team take care of the coral, ensuring full...

MIAMI—1 Hotels, the mission driven luxury lifestyle brand, is introducing Certified Sustainable Gatherings, a new approach that offers the opportunity to create unforgettable events that are designed to minimize environmental impact. Whether it’s a corporate event, gala, meeting, wedding or private celebration, Certified Sustainable Gatherings provides a one-of-a-kind opportunity to bring a vision to life while working in harmony with the planet. At 1 Hotels, commitment to sustainability has always been at the forefront of event (and meeting) planning. The newly introduced Certified Sustainable Gatherings offers clients the opportunity to plan an event that is fully dedicated to eco-consciousness. 1...