STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN—A group of leading Swedish meeting industry organizations has formed the Swedish chapter of the Green Meeting Industry Council (GMIC), a global organization that focuses on environmental and sustainability issues in the meetings industry. GMIC, a not for profit organization with members in more than 20 countries, has a mission to advance meetings industry innovation through knowledge sharing, education, and research. GMIC Sweden is founded with the support of some of Sweden’s leading actors in sustainable business practices: Arenabolaget in Linköping, Gothenburg Convention Bureau, Kistamässan, Luleå Convention Bureau, MCI Sweden, Stockholm Visitors Board, Stockholmsmässan, Svenskamässan, Visit Sweden and Visit...

HORSHAM, PA.—Green Key Global announced that with the registration of the Motel 6 Anchorage Midtown in Alaska, the Green Key Eco-Rating Program has now established its presence in all 50 United States. Green Key currently has more than 2,100 hotels actively engaged in the program in the United States, Canada and 13 other countries throughout the world. “Green Key Global is committed to perpetuating sustainable lodging throughout North America and beyond,” said Tony Pollard, managing director of Green Key Global. “The program provides hotels with the tools to reduce operating costs and gives them the marketing edge to appeal to...

PULASKI, N.Y.—Antony Papageorgiou, a Cornell Hotel School alumnus and veteran of the hospitality industry, has been named the new COO at PURE Global Solutions, LLC in Pulaski, N.Y. Papageorgiou held several key leadership positions in hotel operations, branding and corporate training/development in the luxury and ultra premium cruise industry before starting a new career in indoor air and surface purification in 2008. “I am very excited to join the PURE Solutions Global team at a time when all of our efforts are directed toward strengthening our support to our existing distributors and broadening our presence worldwide,” Papageorgiou said. “This award-winning,...

NATIONAL REPORT—Two Hyatt Hotels Corp. properties have introduced meetings programs that allow guests to give back by volunteering their time. The  (Nev.) recently announced its Groups Giving Back offer, which combines philanthropy with volunteering opportunities. The Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort and Spa in Hawaii introduced Lokahi Group Meetings, a new package that invites groups to do their part to keep Oahu beautiful while enjoying special perks at the same time. The Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe ensures group meetings are as successful as they are rewarding by combining a percentage donation from the master bill to a nonprofit organization of...

OTTAWA, ONT.—The Hotel Association of Canada (HAC) and MPI Foundation Canada announced the launch of the Green Key Meetings Program, an assessment tool for hotel and resort properties that host meetings of any size. The assessment has been designed as a tool to provide travel, meeting and conference planners with the hotel’s level of commitment to environmental issues. “HAC is delighted to be partnering with MPI Foundation Canada on this initiative,” said Anthony Pollard, president of the Hotel Association of Canada. “Meeting Professionals International is widely recognized as the global leader in the meeting and event industry. We are confident...

CLEVELAND, OHIO—The InterContinental Suites Cleveland now offers guests the option to stay in PURE Allergy Friendly Rooms. The PURE air purification system will be utilized in 13 hotel suites, in order to improve air quality and enhance guest satisfaction. In addition, PURE rooms feature deluxe bedding encasements, with virtually allergen free pillow and mattress covers, to protect guests from irritants and pollutants. The new PURE rooms are being introduced as part of the InterContinental Suites’ new wellness-themed renovation, which will transform the Cleveland hotel into a center of wellness and tranquility.  “Adding PURE rooms to the new InterContinental Suites Hotel...

NATIONAL REPORT—With Earth Day (April 22) just a few weeks away, properties around the United States have announced steps they are taking to celebrate—everything from seed giveaways to the unveiling of an ecological quilt. At Andaz San Diego, as part of a Spring Celebration package, guests who arrive in hybrid cars will get free valet parking. The package also includes a free glass of local wine and a packet of assorted seeds to plant. Guests staying at Andaz San Diego on Earth Day can enjoy the 22nd Annual EarthFair at Balboa Park, the largest free environmental fair in the...

NATIONAL REPORT—The Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte in North Carolina has one. So does the Hilton San Francisco Financial District, Parc 55 Wyndham San Francisco-Union Square, and Boston’s Seaport Hotel. All Element Hotels properties have them. A TownePlace Suites by Marriott being constructed in Frederick, Md., will soon have one, as well as the Sleeping Lady Resort in Leavenworth, Wash. What these properties all have or will have is at least one electric vehicle (EV) charging station. EV charging stations are still extremely rare at lodging properties but they are beginning to pop up across the United States as an increasing number...

RIDGWAY, COLO.—The number of green lodging properties represented on the Environmentally Friendly Hotels website is being reduced dramatically as the owner raises the bar for inclusion. At one time there were more than 5,600 properties listed on the seven-year-old site. Today that number is closer to 2,500; it could soon dip to 1,500. Kit Cassingham, owner of Sage Blossom Consulting and owner of the website, says at one time a property needed to be doing just one of the 39 actions listed on her site in order to be included. Now the property must take at least 10 green...

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.—Starwood is switching off on March 26—but just for one hour, and for a great cause. The global hospitality leader will once again join the worldwide movement of people and businesses planning to turn off the lights for Earth Hour 2011 in celebration and contemplation of the one thing we all have in common—our planet. This year will mark Starwood’s third annual participation in Earth Hour, making it one of the biggest companies to create a statement with a voluntary hour of darkness. Hundreds of hotels in the Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. portfolio will take part...