SAINT PETERSBURG, FLA.—Go Green Planters, Inc., Saint Petersburg, Fla., announced that it has been named a Qualified Vendor by Choice Hotels International, Inc., for the purpose of promoting its Green Room program to Choice franchisees. The program involves the installation of one or more lush tropical plants in each and every guestroom of a hotel. It creates a new profit center, a valuable new guest amenity, and other benefits for franchisees without any capital investment or any cost at all for maintenance. “What’s most appealing about this entrepreneurial concept is that Go Green Planters, Inc. assumes all capital and operating expenses...

FREEPORT, MAINE—Maine Innkeepers all over the state will cut their rates by 50 percent this spring to support “Hospitality for Habitat,” a program which raises funds for Habitat for Humanity projects in Maine, announced Greg Dugal, executive director of the Maine Innkeepers Assn. (MEIA). The sixth annual Hospitality for Habitat program will run from May 1 to May 22, with participating MEIA members offering half priced, discounted room rates to guests in exchange for a $35 donation check payable to Habitat for Humanity. “Hospitality for Habitat offers visitors to Maine an opportunity to give back to the community where...

ROBBINSVILLE, N.J.—EcoGreenHotel has been contracted by the Hampton Inn in Easton, Pa., to establish a sustainability program. The Hampton Inn, managed by Lorrie Miller, has chosen to begin its green hotel initiative with EcoGreenHotel’s “Sustainability Support Program.” This program evaluates the sustainability of a property and then sets in motion the actions to further progress its eco-friendly standing. The green hotel program began earlier this month. The Hampton Inn Easton features 97 guestrooms, including suites and is connected to the Lotus Conference Center. The Lotus Conference Center provides more than 3,000 square feet of meeting space. The hotel is...

SANTA CLARA, CALIF.—Milestone Internet Marketing, a full-service Internet marketing agency for hotels, announced that it won three awards for Search Marketing Strategy in the “Hotel—Individual Property” category in HSMAI’s recently concluded Adrian Awards Competition. Out of almost 1,300 sites submitted for the Adrian Awards this year, Milestone was honored for its creativity and best practices in Internet marketing for the hospitality and travel industries. The websites were judged using five criteria including marketing objectives, creativity, quality, content, and results. The highlight among the award winning websites is The Orchard hotel (www.theorchardhotel.com), which won the Silver Award. The website’s creative design...

MCLEAN, VA.—The Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI) and Tourism Cares have partnered to recognize sustainability initiatives in the travel industry with a new award. The first-ever Tourism Cares Sustainability Award will be presented at the HSMAI Adrian Awards Gala, January 26, 2009, at the Marriott Marquis in New York City. The Tourism Cares award is a new addition to HSMAI’s annual Adrian Awards, a competition that honors the “best of the best” in travel and hospitality marketing in the categories of advertising, public relations and web marketing. “Tourism Cares is pleased and proud to honor those who epitomize...

PORTLAND, ORE.—Meeting Strategies Worldwide announces the release of their industry report: “2009 State of the Sustainable Meeting Industry.” The paper gives an overview of trends and economic factors impacting the meetings industry for 2009 and addresses emerging ideas in policy, technology, and human interest for events. Click here to download the report for free. “We are proud to present our inaugural 2009 State of the Sustainable Meeting Industry report,” says Nancy J. Wilson, CMP, of Meeting Strategies Worldwide. “Trends and forecasts speak to continued economic challenges and increased demand for sustainable meetings. Both present a perfect storm of conditions to...

NATIONAL REPORT—They are certainly not all uniform and some are managed better than others but the number of state level green lodging programs is growing. Participation in the programs is also increasing. There are now at least 16 states that have some type of green lodging program. The Missouri Hotel and Lodging Assn. just launched a program in that state (see article) and in New York more than 10 state organizations are currently working together as part of the New York State Governor’s Initiative: Green Hospitality Partnership to put together a program (see article). Through online research and interviews with...

HERMOSA BEACH, CALIF.—Green Globe International, Inc., the worldwide owner of the Green Globe brand, and Green Hotel Certification have announced the launch of a new Corporate Membership program which is designed to make the Green Globe/Green Hotel Certification duel certification program more affordable for hotel and resort properties. The certification fee of the duel Green Globe/Green Hotel Certification was replaced by a monthly membership fee. “Given current economic conditions in the hospitality industry, a pricing structure that recognizes the challenges in the market but still delivers all the benefits of the two premier international green certification programs will make participation...

AUSTIN, TEXAS—Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP) and the GUESTROOM 20X Task Force, a group of hospitality technology leaders and experts, are searching for the latest and near-future technologies for the newest version of GUESTROOM 20X. The 2009 version of GUESTROOM 20X, a special exhibit showcasing the most innovative technologies for the guestroom, debuts at the 2009 Hospitality Industry Technology Exposition and Conference (HITEC) June 23 to 25 at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, Calif. “Over the past three years, GUESTROOM 20X has garnered a reputation as providing the first glimpse into the possibilities of future guestroom technologies,” said...

CLEVELAND, OHIO—Hasek Communications, the Cleveland, Ohio-based publisher of Green Lodging News, welcomes usfi | GreenWorks as a Green Product & Service Directory Partner. The company is a source for printed products and services—anything that can be imprinted or screened with a brand. Examples include key cards, stationery, sweaters, coasters, laundry bags, ball caps, towels, coffee mugs and much more. The company offers three Green Earth Key Cards: 1) BioPVC, a vinyl that biodegrades naturally, 2) corn-based plastics, and 3) recycled PVC. Based in Dallas with offices nationwide, usfi | GreenWorks has been in business since 1984. The company’s products are...