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Whether at the property, company or association level, an environmental program cannot be successful without a leader championing the cause. Green Lodging News is always looking for “green” champions to profile. Who at your organization deserves to be featured? Contact Glenn Hasek, editor, at (813) 510-3868, or by e-mail at: greenlodgingnews@gmail.com.
Sheena Chin-Greene Keeps 20-Year-Old Florida Green Lodging Program Going Strong
TALLAHASSEE, FLA.—With its Florida Green Lodging Program, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection has one of the largest state-level hotel green designation programs in the United States. As of January 10, the Program had 319 designated Florida Green Lodging properties. The program is certainly one of the oldest as well, having launched in 2004.
In its assessment of lodging establishments, the points-based Florida Green Lodging Program looks at the following five categories:
1. Communication and education (customers, employees, public).
2. Waste reduction, reuse, and recycling.
3. Water conservation.
4. Energy efficiency.
5. Indoor air quality.
Properties can earn one of four designations: One Palm, Two Palm,...
Mark Hoplamazian, Hyatt President and CEO, Receives AHLA/ALIS’s Arne Sorenson Social Impact Leadership Award
LOS ANGELES—The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA), the AHLA Foundation, and The BHN Group/Northstar Travel Group announced that Mark Hoplamazian, President and CEO, Hyatt, will be awarded the Arne Sorenson Social Impact Leadership Award. Hoplamazian will be recognized during the AHLA Foundation’s fundraising gala, Night of a Thousand Stars on Sunday, January 21, as well as during the 23rd annual Americas Lodging Investment Summit (ALIS) on Tuesday, January 23.
“Mark’s tenure at the helm of Hyatt is not just inspiring, it’s a testament to his remarkable leadership and aptitude for empathy. Beyond the boardroom, he’s championed countless initiatives that raise...
Six Senses Fort Barwara Names Aaron McGrath Regional General Manager
RAJASTHAN, INDIA—Six Senses Fort Barwara announced the appointment of Aaron McGrath as Regional General Manager. A holder of both a Diploma in Hotel Management from Hotel Institute Montreux, Switzerland and an MBA from Ecole Hoteliere de Lausanne, Switzerland, and a career spanning over three decades in the international hospitality industry, Aaron brings a wealth of knowledge, expertise, and a dynamic leadership approach to lead the Six Senses Fort Barwara team into an exciting new era.
McGrath has consistently excelled in the fast-paced, ever-evolving world of international hospitality, hotels, and integrated resorts. His pragmatic leadership style, marked by a calm and...
Canyon Ranch Announces Mark Rivers as New Chief Executive Officer
FORT WORTH, TEXAS—Canyon Ranch, a pioneer and innovator in destination wellness, recently announced the appointment of Mark Rivers as its new CEO.
Canyon Ranch is looking to Rivers’ leadership as they grow their emerging ecosystem of properties in Texas and beyond. In follow up from the July announcement with VICI Properties, Inc. to expand the Canyon Ranch brand, Rivers played a pivotal role in executing this partnership, which encompasses the debut of its first Canyon Ranch Wellness Club in Fort Worth later this year, a second Wellness Club to open in Houston in 2024, and a new resort and residential community under development in the Austin market, with a planned...
Damon Page Joins SH Hotels & Resorts as Area Managing Director for Asia-Pacific Region
MIAMI—SH Hotels & Resorts, the sustainable hotel brand management company that operates 1 Hotels, Baccarat Hotels, and Treehouse Hotels, announced the appointment of Damon Page as Area Managing Director for its Asia-Pacific region, an area that is a focus of exponential growth for the company. Page will oversee each brand’s development throughout the region starting with the 2024 opening of 1 Hotels & Homes Melbourne (277 guest rooms & 114 hotel-branded residences), which he will manage directly on a day-to-day basis, and followed by the 2026 arrival of Treehouse Adelaide, each brand’s first in Australia. He will also use...
HAC Appoints Gary Graham as Director of Operations & Program Development for Green Key Global
OTTAWA, ONT.—The Hotel Association of Canada has appointed Gary Graham as its new Director of Operations and Program Development—Green Key Global.
Graham’s previous roles include sector specialist—infrastructure and climate change—strategy and stakeholder engagement branch and account manager, accreditation services at Standards Council of Canada (SCC), where he worked for over two years.
Before that, he worked at Hotel Association of Canada as Director, Operations—Green Key Global for over eight years. Additionally, he worked at Gary Graham, National Research Council Canada, HRSDC and Canada Green Building Council—CaGBC.
Iberostar Group’s Gloria Fluxà Named to TIME100 Climate List
PALMA DE MALLORCA, SPAIN—Iberostar Group announced that Gloria Fluxà Thienemann, Vice-Chairman and Chief Sustainability Officer, has been recognized as one of the distinguished individuals on the 2023 TIME100 Climate list. This newly inaugurated annual list by TIME magazine celebrates the contributions of 100 exceptional individuals who are leading climate action within the business community.
To assemble the list, TIME’s editors and reporters fielded nominations and recommendations from industry leaders and partner organizations like Global Optimism and The B Team, as well as TIMECO2’s Advisory Council, then worked to assess the candidates on a variety of factors, including recency of action, measurable results, and influence.
This...
Auberge Names Vivianne Garcia-Tunon Global Vice President of Wellbeing
MILL VALLEY, CALIF.—Auberge Resorts Collection has named Vivianne Garcia-Tunon Global Vice President of Wellbeing, affirming its commitment to offering impactful wellness experiences to guests and building some of the world’s most innovative spas and wellbeing destinations.
Garcia-Tunon brings to Auberge a career characterized by more than 25 years of experience creating forward-thinking, holistic health solutions in the hospitality industry. As Global Vice President of Wellbeing, she will develop and deepen the experience across Auberge Resorts Collection’s portfolio, keeping sacred the properties’ individual personalities and distinctive approaches to wellness while connecting the brand’s overall philosophy to offer opportunities to decompress, reflect and reconnect...
Rishi Shah Draws from Industry Experience, Family Inspiration to Advance Wyndham Green
Name: Rishi Shah
Title: Senior Director, Sustainability
Company: Wyndham Hotels & Resorts
Years with Wyndham Hotels & Resorts: Three years, 10 months
Primary Responsibility: “Advancing the Wyndham Green Program. Spearheading our ESG reporting efforts. Coordinating our annual ESG report.”
Organization’s most significant accomplishment in social purpose and sustainability: “The one I am most proud about is incorporating sustainability in all 24 brands and making Wyndham Green Level One a requirement.”
Organization’s most significant challenge moving forward in social purpose and sustainability: “As the world’s largest franchising company, it is a lot of stakeholders to get moving. Owners are wearing multiple hats. Making sustainability as...
Jason C. Bass appointed Director of Culture and Programming at Thompson Atlanta-Buckhead
ATLANTA—Thompson Atlanta-Buckhead, the urban lifestyle luxury hotel located in one of Atlanta’s most desirable neighborhoods, announces Jason C. Bass as Director of Culture and Programming. In this role, Bass curates a range of culturally diverse programming, oversees community-focused brand strategy and collaborates with external partners to enhance guest experience.
Prior to the Thompson Atlanta-Buckhead, Bass served as the Director of Culture and Impact for Hotel Revival in Baltimore, Md., establishing himself as the first ever Director of Culture and Impact in the Hyatt portfolio. While at Hotel Revival, he worked alongside current General Manager of the Thompson Atlanta-Buckhead and hospitality veteran,...