NASHVILLE, TENN.—The American Hotel & Lodging Association announced the winners of the AH&LA Achievement Awards, part of the Stars of the Industry Awards luncheon, during the AH&LA Summer Summit at The Loews Vanderbilt Hotel. The awards, created in 1966, recognize individual hotel properties that have developed outstanding public relations campaigns. Two of the categories included Community Service, and Good Earthkeeping. The Washington Athletic Club in Seattle won the community service award, small property category, for its commitment to improving the quality of life for people in the community. The company matches employee donations to the local United Way;...

SANTA CRUZ, CALIF.—Benchmark Hospitality International, the operator of Chaminade at Santa Cruz, has been awarded Green Business Certification for exceeding environmental regulatory requirements, preventing pollution and conserving natural recourses. The award was presented to the resort, which overlooks Monterey Bay, by the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors. Chaminade is the first hospitality business in Santa Cruz County to receive the important certification. “We are thrilled to receive the Green Business Certification,” says Jeff Bloom, Benchmark’s general manager at Chaminade. “As a responsible corporate citizen we strive to be as green as possible and also encourage our guests...

NATIONAL REPORT—“Leading the hospitality industry in promoting education, inter-cooperation, and endorsed policies for environmentally responsible practices, construction methods, materials and environments.” That is the mission of the Network of Executive Women in Hospitality’s Sustainability Committee. Formed last year, the committee currently includes 11 members representing design, architecture, purchasing, manufacturing, and hotel asset management. “Two years ago, NEWH recognized the need to get involved in sustainability,” says Jillian Van Dresser, principal, The Van Dresser Co. in Atlanta and the committee’s sustainability adviser. “We identified several initiatives, the first of which is a Resource Directory.” Now available on the...

HONOLULU, HAWAII—Outrigger Hotels & Resorts and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Marine Sanctuary Program (NMSP) have entered into an agreement designed to expand general public awareness about ocean conservation. NOAA is a federal agency that falls under the U.S. Department of Commerce and focuses on the condition of the oceans and atmosphere. Among other responsibilities, the agency oversees the National Marine Sanctuary Program, a system of 13 national marine sanctuaries and one marine national monument. Outrigger Hotels & Resorts is a family-owned hotelier based in Waikiki with properties throughout Hawaii and the Pacific. For years,...

PORTLAND, ORE.—The Doubletree Hotel & Executive Meeting Center Portland-Lloyd Center announced that the property has been recognized by the City of Portland’s Office of Sustainable Development for its commitment to sustainability. The BEST Award is the latest acknowledgement of the Doubletree’s efforts to bring sustainability into the hospitality industry. The 476-room Doubletree is the first lodging property in Oregon to be certified with a Green Seal “green hotel” designation, and they have been honored by the U.S. EPA and by the national Doubletree organization for their green programs. The Doubletree was recently included on the “100 Best Companies...

ATLANTA—The Atlanta Marriott Marquis, known for its stunning 50-story atrium, is using its ambitious resource-saving initiatives as a launching point to attract groups interested in holding green meetings. The 1,663-room hotel began its green push in April with a press release highlighting the hotel’s environmental accomplishments. Green meetings make a lot of sense, according to Chris Anderson, director of sales and marketing at the hotel. The Atlanta property is doing the little things that are part of green meetings—using recycled paper, and mugs instead of paper cups, for example. However, a more significant component of the hotel’s program is the...

CLEVELAND, OHIO—Hasek Communications, the Cleveland, Ohio-based publisher of Green Lodging News, welcomes Elevator Communications, LLC as a Green Product Directory Partner. Elevator Communications, based in Tiburon, Calif., specializes in providing public relations services to green hotels and other businesses. Its green hotel clients have received publicity in the New York Times, USA Today, Wall Street Journal, other major newspapers, Bloomberg, major travel magazines, on TV and radio, and in consumer publications targeted to eco-travelers in the United States. Contact John Reed, director of public relations, at (415) 846-4862 or by e-mail at elevatorpr@earthlink.net. You may also visit www.elevatorpr.com....

BOCA RATON, FLA.—Cendyn, a leader in interactive marketing for the hotel, travel and hospitality industries, can now support sales and catering teams in their efforts to go green with the implementation of eco-friendly sales tools which enhance client presentations, convert more business and impact the bottom line. As a vendor to these industries, Cendyn is responding to the direction of its clients in searching for cost-effective measures which encourage, promote and support ecological consciousness. The eco-friendly suite of products from Cendyn includes online, Web-based brochures, cards, menus and proposals customized with rich content and with multi-media animation—all delivered...

BEVERLY HILLS, CALIF.—Doubletree Hotels announced the early completion of its Pledge to Plant Challenge following a strong public response. The proposed month-long campaign with The National Arbor Day Foundation, aimed at raising awareness about the importance of trees, struck an environmental chord with America as Doubletree was forced to close its website to further entries after receiving 35,000 entries and nearly 100,000 website hits in less than two weeks. As a result of the outpouring of support for both the campaign and the environment, Doubletree will honor additional pledges by tripling its original tree planting contribution to nearly...

HONOLULU, HAWAII—The Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach Resort & Spa has won its second Green Business Award from the State of Hawaii. The award is sponsored by the following: State Department of Health; Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism; and the Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii. The award is given to companies that employ innovative green practices and do their part to ensure that residents and visitors continue to enjoy a healthy environment. The Hilton property has a long history in Hawaii. With close to 3,000 rooms, it is one of the Hilton Hotels Corporation’s (100 percent) flagship...