ORLANDO, FLA.—Orlando hotelier Harris Rosen was recently honored with a Legacy Award, Sustainable Florida’s highest honor, during the organization’s 11th Annual Best Practices Awards held at Rosen Shingle Creek last month. Sustainable Florida, a program of the Collins Center, is a public-private alliance of organizations and businesses that promote sustainable best management practices—those which protect and preserve Florida’s environment while building markets for Florida’s businesses by enhancing their competitive advantages today—through collaborative educational efforts throughout Florida. Nearly 80 Best Practices nominees, including city and county governments, businesses and individuals, vied for wins in seven categories, with the Legacy Award presented as...

Name: Mark Slymen Title: Director of Sustainability, LEED AP Company: Montage Hotels & Resorts Years with company: Six My primary responsibilities: “To coordinate the development of sustainable practices for future developments and to ensure that we are operating our current hotels in an environmentally sustainable manner.” Hotel group’s most significant environmental accomplishment so far: “Earning LEED Gold certification for the Montage Beverly Hills. The accomplishment is a reflection of what our associates bring to the table daily. What we are doing right is educating our staff to take the proper steps to create a sustainable experience.” Our biggest environmental challenge: “To stay on top...

COOPERSBURG, PA.—Lutron Electronics Co., Inc., and Exceptional Innovation have announced a partnership that combines Lutron technology with interface and integration software created by Exceptional Innovation. This new solution merges all guestroom technology into one integrated system, offering hotel guests pushbutton control of lighting, window treatments, HVAC, and more through a personalized interface. The Lutron Hospitality Solution also directly connects guests to every service and profit center in the hotel, so they can instantly make restaurant reservations, book spa appointments, contact the concierge, even reserve tee times—all through the same intuitive interface. Plus, the solution brings guests the latest information regarding...

Name: Molly Ray Title: Manager, Sustainable Partnerships and Senior Sales Manager Company: Kimpton Hotels Seattle Years with Kimpton: Two years My primary responsibilities: “I wear a lot of hats. I manage our corporate accounts. I am on the advisory committee for Kimpton’s EarthCare program. I work with engineering in particular. We are hoping to get the Alexis Hotel, Hotel Monaco Seattle and Hotel Vintage Park Green Seal certified in the next year.” Hotel Group’s most significant environmental accomplishment so far: “For Kimpton, the biggest accomplishment is the longevity of the EarthCare program. It is baked into our DNA.” Our biggest environmental challenge: “Sustainability is...

MIAMI—The Miami office of international architecture, planning, engineering, interior design and program management firm LEO A DALY is pleased to announce that its director of architecture, J Beattie, AIA, LEED AP, has been elected co-chair for the Florida Caribbean Regional Council of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). As co-chair, he will maintain his representation of the South Florida Chapter, where he currently sits on the Board of Directors, and engage with seven other chapters in Florida and the Caribbean Islands. Additionally, he will participate on the USGBC’s Chapter Steering Committee, which meets regularly to discuss guidance and direction for...

Name: Christopher Hartzell Title: General Manager Hotel: Element Lexington (Mass.) Years with Starwood Hotels & Resorts: Almost seven years. Primary responsibilities: “Overseeing the daily operations of the hotel. Making sure our financials and guest satisfaction are top notch. Making sure people are aware of the type of property we have. Listening to our customers. Finding new products that are good for the environment.” Hotel’s most significant environmental accomplishment so far: “Earning LEED Gold certification.” Our hotel’s biggest environmental challenge: “Identifying additional opportunities to reduce costs, waste and save energy and water.” What I like most about what I do: “I love the people...

QUEBEC CITY—At the annual Québec City Chamber of Commerce awards gala held recently at the Centre des Congrès de Québec, Château Mont-Sainte-Anne received the Fidéides Grand Prize in the Sustainable Development category, recognizing the establishment’s work to continuously improve its policies and processes in assuring the highest standards in environmentally responsible hotel management. When the Roy family acquired Château Mont-Sainte-Anne in 2005, they committed to managing and developing the hotel resort on the outskirts of Québec City with the best environmental and responsible business practices. Château Mont-Sainte-Anne was the first independent hotel in Quebec to obtain the 4 Green Keys...

AUSTIN, TEXAS—The Sustainable Furnishings Council (SFC) announced that Jeff Hiller has been promoted to the position of president of the organization. SFC was founded by Gerry Cooklin in October 2006 as a nonprofit coalition of suppliers, manufacturers, retailers and designers. It was the first of its kind in the industry, and gained the early support of prominent board members including one of the two co-founders of the U.S. Green Building Council, ranking staff of the World Wildlife Fund and Rainforest Alliance, and prominent organizations from all points in the supply chain including Four Hands, Room & Board, and World...

TORONTO—Demonstrating their commitment to leadership in environmental sustainability, the Metro Toronto Convention Centre (MTCC) has hired Tonya Lagrasta for the role of sustainability coordinator. Tonya will focus on minimizing the MTCC’s operational footprint by enhancing the several environmental and social initiatives currently in place, expanding the MTCC’s roster of green meeting services—including the increasingly popular Zero Waste events—and further infusing sustainable approaches into everyday operations. “Hiring a sustainability coordinator reaffirms that our commitment to green practices goes beyond token initiatives,” says Vince Quattrociocchi, vice president of operations. “Every aspect of our operations will benefit from Tonya’s integrated approach, which comes...

Name: Stephen Tagliatela Title: Co-owner, Saybrook Point Inn and Spa, Old Saybrook, Conn. Years as co-owner: Since 1980 My primary responsibilities: “I oversee the general manager and establish the overall goals for the property.” Property’s most significant environmental accomplishment so far: “Keeping our energy costs down.” The inn was the first full-service lodging establishment in Connecticut to earn the Energy Star from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Department of Energy. Our biggest environmental challenge: “Reducing the volume of food waste that ends up in our dumpsters.” What makes going green worthwhile: “It is good for the customers. It is...