AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND—On its second anniversary, the Mercure Meetings Carbon Neutral Conference program has offset more than 3,821 tons of carbon emissions, equating to the carbon used to drive drive 1,127 times around Australia or 47 trips to the moon (if you could drive there). To put this into perspective, Mercure has effectively taken 1,803 cars off the road through this initiative over the past two years. Mercure Meetings has committed to offsetting—at a cost to Mercure, not the conference organizer—the impact of every conference held in its hotels. Since introducing the program two years ago, Mercure hotels have hosted...

YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK—Xanterra Parks & Resorts’ Yellowstone National Parks Lodges’ environmental initiative focused on educating visitors about the impacts of climate change and pollution in national parks has received the National Park Service 2010 Environmental Achievement Award. This award recognizes federal agencies and their contractors—including concessioners—that have demonstrated exceptional achievements in the categories “Protection of ecosystems,” “Alternative energy use,” “Reduction of solid waste and petroleum use,” “Design of sustainable buildings,” and “Climate-friendly innovations.” The most prominent component of Xanterra’s environmental initiative is the park’s newest gift store—located in the Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel and called,  The store emphasizes environmental impact...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Greenloons, a global ecotourism provider, recently launched a website to add clarity to ecotourism certification procedures and help eco-conscious travelers make responsible and informed vacation purchasing decisions. Greenloons.com allows users to select from a variety of third-party certified ecotour vacations and conservation-focused volunteer projects. Greenloons focuses on ecotourism education and includes listings for unique and inspiring wildlife adventures. The site is also packed with vivid nature photos. The “Ecotour Destinations” feature enables visitors to search for third party certified ecotourism destinations by country, activity, and departure date. Each tour description includes an overview, itinerary details, trip notes, availability dates,...

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.—Two renowned global brands in the fitness and hospitality categories are joining forces to empower travelers to stay healthy and fit when away from home. New Balance and Westin Hotels & Resorts have forged an exclusive, worldwide partnership to help hotel guests overcome the hurdles of exercising on the road by providing New Balance footwear, apparel and fitness program content. The program recently launched at 10 Westin properties across the globe and will begin rolling out brand-wide in 2011. Guests of the 10 Westin pilot properties have complimentary access to New Balance shoes, apparel and accessories through a...

CHEVY CHASE, MD.—More and more, corporate retreats are using community service as a way to build camaraderie, improve morale and find positive and encouraging ways to improve the lives of others. To help work productively and give back to the communities they serve, The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C. has developed several socially responsible programs. When guests book one of the many meeting rooms available at The Ritz-Carlton hotels and resorts in the United States, Mexico or the Caribbean, The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company will donate 10 percent of the guestroom revenue equally between a charity of its client’s choice and The...

DALLAS—The Fairmont Dallas announces Sean Springer of Springer Design Studio as the first Artist in Residence of 2011. Springer crafts furniture, home accessories and sculptures using salvaged wood creating purposeful, functional pieces from materials that would otherwise end up as waste. Springer’s resume is a veritable journey through a series of high-profile internships and jobs, working for and learning from artists, each in a different craft, who shaped him and helped hone the skills that allow him to create poignant, consequential pieces. The deliberate edges, complimentary contours and fluid arches of Springer’s work are manifestations of his experience, which...

CLEVELAND, OHIO—Hasek Communications, the Cleveland, Ohio-based publisher of Green Lodging News, welcomes TreeSmart Industries, Inc. as a Green Product & Service Directory partner. TreeSmart manufactures custom imprinted pencils from 100 percent recycled newspapers. The pencils are made using no mulching or mixing with toxic recycling chemicals. They sharpen easily, are as hard as wood pencils, and last longer. All pencils are made with high-quality ferrules and latex-free erasers that do not smudge. Selective colors for erasers are available upon request. Golf-size pencils and recycled paper pens are also available. TreeSmart has been making recycled newspaper pencils since 1998 and...

ROSEMONT, ILL.—Hyatt Regency O’Hare announces the introduction of 34 hypo-allergenic rooms. Designed for all travelers but especially suited to guests with asthma, allergies and other respiratory sensitivities, the Respire by Hyatt Hypo-Allergenic Rooms, powered by PURE Solutions NA, are designed to eliminate up to 98 percent of airborne viruses and bacteria, as well as pollen and other irritants commonly found in indoor environments. Respire by Hyatt rooms will be available at all Hyatt Resort, Park Hyatt, Grand Hyatt, Hyatt Regency, Hyatt, and Andaz properties across the United States, Canada, and the Caribbean, with most of them available to reserve by...

SMITHBURG, MD.—Noventri recently announced their latest digital signage product offering—packaged digital signage systems for menu boards that are used by hotels, convention centers, and restaurants. The Eco-Menu Board digital signage packages contain all the needed hardware and software for a complete digital signage application that is up and running quickly. The Eco-Menu Board package provides dynamic pricing and food item updates as well as FDA compliance. Both offer streamlined convenience for customers and staff. Each digital signage package is a simple ‘plug and play’ solution and includes: LCD Display, 32”, 42”, 52” or 55” options; a display mount; an Eco-Series...

AUSTIN, TEXAS—As the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) closed its public comment period for its Green Guides, EnviroMedia Social Marketing released new research that shows 65 percent of Americans would prefer just one seal for green products over the hundreds now that are causing confusion. It’s increasingly hard to determine if a product is truly “green.” Certifications like Energy Star help consumers address energy efficiency. However, new standards for water use, packaging, recyclability, toxics, and carbon impact are competing for attention and space on the product label. The research shows Americans most trust a third-party certification system, like the Good Housekeeping Seal,...