SCOTTSDALE, ARIZ.—As part of its ongoing program of green initiatives, the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess will offer complimentary overnight valet parking to guests who arrive in a hybrid vehicle. Beginning August 21, guests who drive a hybrid vehicle will enjoy the convenience of the resort’s overnight valet parking service, valued at $23 per night, for free. “We are excited about including our guests in our environmental programs such as the recycling effort in Willow Stream Spa and our Sonoran Trail eco-tour,” says Bob Foster, the resort’s general manager. “Offering complimentary valet parking is just one more way to encourage green-minded guests...

You may be on a tight budget or just looking to create renewed exposure and interest for your green hotel or B&B efforts, yet cannot seem to find anything newsworthy to report. We’ve all encountered that from time to time. Don’t worry; there is still hope. There are hundreds of ways for you to create some news of your own to get the exposure you need. Here are some of them: Stage a green event. For those of you who are unfamiliar with doing this, you may think it sounds difficult. With a little creativity and proper planning, you can pull...

CALGARY, AB.—More than 75 percent of travellers do not carry laptops, so in an age when Internet access in hotels is expected as much as towels and soap, hotels need to offer computer access to their guests. Userful Corp., a leader in public computing, has a solution for hotels wanting to offer public internet access—EcoPod. Its pay-per-use EcoPod Internet stations are a turnkey, environmentally responsible and headache-free solution for hotels, restaurants and other venues that see large numbers of visitors or tourists. “DiscoverStation is a great way to make money,” says Jude Joseph, president and CEO of Calgary-based Netsys...

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.—As part of Westin’s ongoing commitment to personal renewal, they are teaming up with SuperFoods Partners LLC, owners of the SuperFoodsRx brand, to become the first hotel brand to create a SuperFoods focused menu for their guests. Superfoods, known for being health-enhancing and rich in antioxidants and phytonutrients, will be the main ingredient in Westin signature dishes such as banana oatmeal brulé, green-tea-infused salmon and molten dark chocolate cake. The initiative, which is currently rolling out in 25 Westin hotels in the U.S. and Canada, will go global in 2008 with the introduction of the Westin Signature Breakfast,...

SAN FRANCISCO—Global Hyatt and Tesla Motors are partnering to demonstrate the Tesla Roadster, an electric sports car. The Global Hyatt/Tesla Motors Drive Event will take place on August 29 and 30. The Tesla Roadster will travel from San Francisco to Lake Tahoe in the span of one day. With stops at Hyatt at Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco, Hyatt Regency Sacramento, and Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort, Spa & Casino in Incline Village, NV, each stage of the event will include a celebration of the car’s arrival and a preview of the forthcoming 2008 Tesla Roadster. Tesla Motors and Hyatt...

GREEN BAY, WISC.—Radisson Hotel & Conference Center Green Bay has received the Focus on Energy Award for Excellence in Energy Efficiency for the implementation of innovative energy efficiency projects within its business. With the help of Focus on Energy’s Commercial Sector, part of Wisconsin’s energy efficiency and renewable energy initiative, Radisson Hotel & Conference Center Green Bay made a number of energy efficiency improvements including installing compact fluorescent light bulbs, guestroom energy management controls and energy-efficient air-conditioning units. In total, Radisson Hotel & Conference Center Green Bay saved more than $60,000 in energy costs. Since starting its working relationship with...

CHICAGO—It might be too early for packing bags, but meeting professionals should start making plans now for the Professional Convention Management Assn.’s (PCMA) 2008 Annual Meeting, to be held Jan. 13-16, 2008 in Seattle. PCMA is announcing high-impact General Session speakers, as well as a return to a full Wednesday schedule—which this year includes a general session on Wednesday afternoon and a special closing event on Wednesday evening. “Creating Possibilities” is the theme of this year’s popular education and networking event. “We’re thrilled with the possibilities for inspiring and thought-provoking experiences at our 2008 Annual Meeting,” says Deborah Sexton, PCMA...

TORONTO—In the recently released J.D. Power & Associates North American Syndicated Study on Hospitality, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts and its award-winning Green Partnership program led the way for the luxury hotel category with a consumer awareness level of 83 percent for Environmentally Friendly hotel brands. Amongst all North American hotel companies, Fairmont placed second overall, closely behind sister brand Delta Hotels which received an 84 percent ranking. Within the report, Fairmont was singled out for its green policies and acknowledged for its acclaimed Green Partnership Guide, a comprehensive how-to text which it shares with other hotels looking to strengthen...

OAKLAND, CALIF.—A new global survey by Lonely Planet reveals that travelers are keen to make significant changes to their behavior to travel sustainably. Lonely Planet’s annual Travelers’ Pulse survey, which polled over 24,500 people worldwide, showed 84 percent of respondents said they would consider offsetting their emissions in the future, whereas only 31 percent had done so in the past. One of the strongest changes for the future was in volunteering. A huge 79 percent of respondents said they would or might volunteer overseas in the future, with only 25 percent having done so in the past. Seventy percent of...

MCLEAN, VA.—Showcasing an enhanced agenda this year, the 18th annual Affordable Meetings National show, Sept. 5-6 at the Washington Convention Center, will offer meeting and event planners two general sessions, 28 educational seminars—11 new to the line-up including sessions on green meetings and new industry technologies—two networking luncheons and a welcome reception, all designed to present attendees with the skills and techniques that are essential in the industry. With a variety of educational opportunities, meeting planners at all levels of experience can choose from 28 workshops and seminars that will focus on “need to know” industry topics. This free comprehensive...