BROOMFIELD, COLO.—Through its partnership with The Leading Hotels of the World, Ltd., Quintess, LRW has joined the company’s recently launched Leading Green Initiative, a program enabling and encouraging guests to make conscious decisions about greener travel by actively supporting Sustainable Travel International (STI), a nonprofit organization that emphasizes responsible tourism. The Leading Green Initiative is a carbon neutral program whereby Quintess, LRW will directly absorb the cost to offset members’ energy consumption in each of the Club’s more than 60 properties worldwide. Through this, Quintess, LRW will contribute funds to renewable energy programs that will prevent an equal amount of...

BANGKOK, THAILAND—The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) is challenging influential and passionate travel industry leaders to agree and sign on to a truly cross-sectoral industry response to climate change, one of the greatest global threats to travel and tourism. Hosted by the Tourism Authority of Thailand, and organized in partnership with the Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation (CAPA) and the Burba Hotel Network (BHN), PATA’s CEO Challenge 2008: Confronting Climate Change will take place in Bangkok on April 29-30, 2008. PATA President and CEO Peter de Jong said that the ambitious goal for the CEO Challenge is to create a...

CLEVELAND, OHIO—Hasek Communications, the Cleveland, Ohio-based publisher of Green Lodging News, welcomes Valley Forge Fabrics, Inc. as a Founding Sponsor. Valley Forge Fabrics is a 30-year-old American fabric house specializing in quality hospitality and contract upholstery and drapery. Valley Forge is a family owned and operated business with fully staffed offices in the United States, Australia, Dubai, Italy, Hong Kong and Shanghai. Valley Forge introduces FRESH—Fabrics Redefining Environmental Standards (for) Hospitality. FRESH fabrics are made with post-industrial and post-consumer recycled synthetic yarns. FRESH fabrics are recyclable—and meet all the stringent ACT guidelines and hospitality industry expectations for durability, strength, colorfastness...

CLEVELAND, OHIO—Hasek Communications, the Cleveland, Ohio-based publisher of Green Lodging News, welcomes 3Degrees Group, Inc. as a sponsor. The San Francisco-based company delivers customized global climate change solutions to U.S. businesses, utilities and institutions. The company engages customers to develop, execute, and communicate sustainability strategies that add value to their brand. The company’s expertise in sourcing verified carbon offsets and certified renewable energy certificates enables customers to reduce their carbon footprint. The 3Degrees website includes a carbon calculator that enables one to calculate carbon dioxide generated from home electricity consumption, car travel and air travel. As a partner to business efforts...

TORONTO—A firm advocate of sustainable energy, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts has announced its continued involvement with the Pembina Institute, a leading non-profit environmental organization that actively promotes sustainable energy solutions. As part of this ongoing commitment, Fairmont is expanding the program in 2007 to include all of its corporate office computers across North America. Since 2006, Fairmont has purchased an equivalent of 390 MwH of wind power to offset the greenhouse gas emissions generated by all of its front desk check-in computers. Made possible by purchasing Eco-Logo certified wind power, Fairmont will now have a total of 837 computers...

BAY SHORE, N.Y.—Duralee Contract introduces Eco-Fabrics that feature 100 percent Eco Intelligent Polyester that is Cradle to Cradle Gold certified by MBDC (McDonough Braungart Design Chemistry). With a current and much-needed social movement towards sustainable products, Duralee Contract has designed the Eco-Fabrics by Duralee Contract collection to fit into the lifestyle of the environmentally conscious without forfeiting fine design. Eco-Fabrics by Duralee Contract makes it possible to match unique patterns and colorways with the satisfaction of taking a step in promoting a healthy planet. To achieve the Gold level, MBDC evaluated Eco Intelligent Polyester material and product ingredients for human...

SNOWMASS VILLAGE, COLO.—Related/WestPac announced that the $2 billion 80-acre Snowmass Village, Colo. mixed-use development will combine groundbreaking environmental stewardship with a first-class resort experience. The development includes residential units, world-class hotels, retail, entertainment, and restaurant amenities surrounding the renowned ski area. The Snowmass development seeks to create a new model in community and resort sustainable development and be one of the first and most ambitious projects to be chosen for the new LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Pilot Neighborhood Development certification program. Related/WestPac will incorporate LEED’s pilot Neighborhood certification program and plans to augment these efforts by extending...

ALPHARETTA, GA.—Neenah Paper Inc., a premium paper manufacturer, has joined the Chicago Climate Exchange (CCX). CCX is the world’s first and North America’s only voluntary but legally binding greenhouse gas emissions reduction, registry and trading program. By joining CCX, Neenah Paper has not only committed to tracking and reporting carbon dioxide emissions, but also to achieving a 6 percent reduction by 2010 versus their baseline. CCX’s trading system establishes limits on overall emissions and sets company allowances for members. Businesses with emissions below their allowances can trade the remainder to other companies, whereas businesses that do not achieve their committed...

SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO—The San Juan Marriott has joined forces with Sustainable Travel International (STI) on its pioneering TravelGreen program, which will allow it to offer carbon neutral accommodations—the first hotel in Puerto Rico, and the Caribbean, to do so. Carbon neutral means the point at which greenhouse gas emissions have been identified, measured, reduced where possible, and 100 percent of the remaining emissions have been offset through high quality renewable energy or energy efficiency projects. TravelGreen allows San Juan Marriott guests the opportunity to do something proactive and help offset greenhouse gas emissions. A typical one-night hotel stay...

NATIONAL REPORT—According to the American Hotel & Lodging Assn., there are approximately 4.4 million guestrooms in the United States. It is pretty safe to assume there is at least one mattress in each room. Assuming a thickness of 12 inches per mattress, the industry’s mattresses, stacked on top of one another, would reach 636 miles into the sky. With mattresses replaced every seven years, on average, it is obvious the lodging industry has a huge waste management issue on its hands. Where do mattresses go when they are no longer useable? Most end up in landfills. Liability and hygiene issues...