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...

BOSTON—Major weather events and climate changes are leading architects and developers to create interesting new responses to an evolving environment. Innovative ways of thinking about buildings and urban design will be necessary in some waterfront redevelopment projects—especially those integrated within existing urban infrastructure—contends Michael Liu, Principal at Boston-based architecture and master planning firm, The Architectural Team (TAT). Driven by building codes hoping to address rising sea levels and the reality of increasingly flood-prone neighborhoods, architects working in coastal areas or flood plains are often required to raise habitable space above street level. Recent TAT projects in Lynn, Salem, and East...

STAMFORD, CONN.—Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. announced the release of its expanded Human Rights Policy that reflects the company’s commitment to conducting business in a manner consistent with the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.Through this policy, Starwood shares its expectations for the treatment and employment of associates at owned, managed, and franchised properties, at companies throughout Starwood’s supply chain and with its business partners. The policy also highlights Starwood’s contributions to the prevention of human trafficking and the promotion of human rights in the communities in which it operates. It aligns with and supports...

SYOSSET, N.Y.—Emerald Brand announced that 2015 was a year of double-digit growth, the third year in a row the company has seen these results. As a leading innovator in sustainable solutions, Emerald successfully converts facilities across the United States to sustainable consumable products, helping companies achieve their corporate social responsibility goals and create happier and healthier working environments. In 2015 the company experienced another year of expansion, adding over 25 additional cities to its distribution network.Emerald specializes in converting large corporate offices, stadiums, universities, and building complexes to environmentally friendly disposable solutions for the foodservice, breakroom, janitorial and packaging...

LONDON—InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) announced the launch of the IHG Foundation, alongside details of its first beneficiaries. The IHG Foundation will run as an independent charity, and focus its activities on four key areas—helping communities to develop skills in hospitality, providing support for those impacted by disasters, facilitating local community investment and protecting the environment. IHG has an established history of responsible business practices. The IHG Foundation will build on the hugely positive impact the company has driven through its award-winning corporate responsibility initiatives over a number of years. These include the pioneering IHG Academy program, a global collaboration between...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—AccorHotels North America, Central America and the Caribbean (NCAC) announced that it is reinforcing its commitment against the sexual exploitation of children by joining the efforts of ECPAT (End Child Prostitution, Child Pornography and Trafficking of Children for Sexual Purposes) in the United States by signing the Tourism Code of Conduct (The Code.) The United States is the 38th country in the AccorHotels network to sign The Code, an industry-driven initiative reinforced by UNICEF and The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).“Since 2001, AccorHotels has led the fight against sexual exploitation of children in travel and tourism alongside ECPAT International...

STAMFORD, CONN.—Starwood Hotels & Resorts announced plans to source 100 percent of its eggs from cage-free chickens across its supply chain by 2020. “Animal welfare is important to our customers and our company, and many of our hotels around the world already use cage-free eggs,” said Andrea Pinabell, Starwood’s Vice President of Sustainability. “By transitioning to 100 percent cage-free eggs by 2020, we further our commitment to doing the right thing. Our commitment also involves our suppliers and we call on them to make this important change as well. We’re excited about our commitment and look forward to helping...

CALGARY, ALBERTA—Bullfrog Power, a leading green energy provider, and Hotel Blackfoot, a contemporary hotel minutes from downtown Calgary, announced a new environmental partnership. Bullfrog will ensure green electricity is injected onto the grid to match the amount of conventional power Hotel Blackfoot’s executive floors and meeting rooms use annually (730 MWh). The Bull Frog powering of executive floors is a first for hotels in Alberta. This commitment aligns with findings from a recent study measuring the likelihood that Canadians (84 percent) will make more environmentally-responsible choices in 2016; 75 percent in Alberta.“The hotel industry has long been a leader...