LAS VEGAS—Sands ECO360°, the global corporate sustainability program of Las Vegas Sands (LVS), is launching its fourth annual “I Will If You Will” (IWIYW) global challenge by collaborating with the company’s team members and encouraging them to take action to reduce their impact on climate change. The annual event is held in conjunction with the global Earth Hour celebration organized by the World Wildlife Foundation, which will take place on March 19. The occasion marks one of LVS’ three global team member engagement events that are conducted annually to support environmental sustainability.During the week of March 13 to 19,...

ATLANTA—American Spa Magazine and the Green Spa Network (GSN) have teamed up to produce the 5th Annual GSN Sustainability Awards. The GSN Sustainability Awards program recognizes efforts that positively impact sustainable business in the spa industry and contribute to a vital future for people and the planet.This year’s achievements will be awarded in nine categories ranging from Green Building and Culinary Excellence to Sustainable Manufacturing and overall Spa Sustainability. Nominations will be accepted through June 15, 2016 and can be submitted through the GSN website at http://www.greenspanetwork.org. Any individual, company or product related to the spa, health and wellness...

PORTLAND, ORE.—Since 2012, visitors to Oregon contributed more than $90,000 to enhance communities across the state through an innovative philanthropy program created by Travel Oregon and Sustainable Travel International. Funds are directed to projects throughout Oregon that improve the environment, support local culture and enrich the destination through the Travel Oregon Forever Fund.The Travel Oregon Forever Fund is the first statewide program of its kind. The goal of the program is to improve experiences for visitors and locals by connecting them to participating businesses that directly improve and enhance Oregon communities.“Travel Oregon not only strives to create economic impact...

SPARTANBURG, S.C.—Milliken & Company, a global innovation company, has been recognized as a 2016 World’s Most Ethical Company by the Ethisphere Institute, a global leader in defining and advancing the standards of ethical business practices.This year marks the 10th anniversary of Ethisphere and the World’s Most Ethical Companies designation, which recognizes those companies that align principle with action, work tirelessly to make trust part of their corporate DNA, and in doing so, share future industry standards by introducing tomorrow’s best practices.Milliken is one of just 14 companies to receive this honor every year since Ethisphere’s inception in 2007 and...

OAKLAND, CALIF.—Fair Trade USA, the leading third-party certifier of Fair Trade products in North America, and the Natural Marketing Institute (NMI), an international consulting and research firm specializing in health and sustainability, released new data indicating that fifty-nine percent of consumers now recognize the Fair Trade Certified label. This growth is supported by new insights into consumer spending habits—particularly around the role of Millennials in driving ethical purchases—and an abundance of new Fair Trade products hitting store shelves.In addition to the spike in general awareness, up from 55 percent in 2013, the joint research between NMI and Fair Trade...

OTTAWA, ON.—The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) announced that Green Key Global’s Green Key Eco-Rating Program has achieved GSTC-Recognized status. The awarded status affirms Green Key Global’s commitment to promote sustainable tourism products and services.Green Key Global’s Eco-Rating Program is a graduated rating system designed to recognize lodging facilities committed to improving their environmental and fiscal performance. Based on the results of a comprehensive environmental self-assessment, lodging facilities are awarded a rating from 1 to 5 Keys, 5 Keys being the highest attainable. In support of their efforts towards becoming a cutting-edge green lodging property, members are provided with...

BERLIN—This year’s ITB CSR Day at the ITB Berlin Convention will address topical issues in connection with sustainable tourism, the refugee situation, climate change and how tourism can further peace. On Friday, March 11, lectures and discussions will provide trade visitors with new ideas and suggestions for greater social and ecological responsibility in tourism. Trade visitors can attend the think tank free of charge.Rika Jean-Francois, in charge of CSR at ITB Berlin, will open the ITB CSR Day 2016 with a keynote panel on “Climate Change: the Challenges Facing the World’s Tourism Industry.” Around the world, tourism contributes to...

DOVER, DEL.—More details have been released on Sustain 2016, the Mid-Atlantic’s Annual Hospitality Conference. The event will take place March 14 to 15, 2016 at the Dover Downs Hotel & Casino. The conference will be presented by Dover Downs Hotel & Casino and planned and developed by HospitalityGreen LLC.Day one will kick off with “An Introduction to the Circular Economy and How to Nurture a Responsive Work Culture.” The workshop will explore how to promote resource efficiency and increased engagement with employees in the hospitality industry. That session will be followed by “Building a Culture for Profit, Passion &...

LAS VEGAS—Las Vegas Sands Corp. recognized its global team members who volunteer as mentors to students and young business professionals in conjunction with International Mentoring Day on January 17. Mentors play a vital role in helping shape the minds of future industry leaders and is the reason LVS continues to participate in mentoring programs at its properties in Las Vegas, Macao and Singapore.In Macao, through the Sands China Leadership Academy, more than 150 team members have participated in a new series of strategic leadership development programs. Additionally, over the past 18 months, senior executives from SCL have been paired...

ORLANDO, FLA.—The Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) in Orlando is the latest location featuring Spotlight Solar’s distinctive solar trees. Four of Spotlight’s architectural solar structures will uniquely showcase the commitment to clean energy and sustainability shared by the convention center, the city of Orlando, and the Orlando Utilities Commission (OUC—The Reliable One). Participants in the DistribuTECH conference and exhibition (February 9 to 11) were the first to see these new systems showcased at America’s second-largest conference and exhibition venue.Spotlight Solar’s solar structures are designed to complement other, less-visible clean energy investments. They catalyze conversation and awareness around solar energy...