NASHVILLE—As part of Tennessee’s ongoing Sustainable Tourism initiative, five green certification workshops will be held in 2010 across the state. Sponsored by the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development (TDTD) and Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC), the workshops will facilitate discussions and solicit partner input regarding the development of a state green certification program for the tour and travel industry. In addition, the events will provide continued sustainable tourism resources, case studies, best practices and access to leading experts. “From the beginning, partner input has been essential in shaping Tennessee’s Sustainable Tourism program,” said commissioner Susan Whitaker, Tennessee Department...

ROSEMONT, ILL.—U.S. Foodservice, one of the nation’s largest food distributors, announced a new initiative that helps restaurants and other food establishments bring local and regional products to their customers. U.S. Foodservice’s restaurant customers can now easily determine if a product is locally sourced through the company’s online ordering system. Local products will be identified by a special “local” icon and will include detailed product information, including the location of the grower or manufacturer and the distance from the supplier to the U.S. Foodservice distribution center. “This is an industry leading approach that provides transparency about our product sourcing and promotes...

MCLEAN, VA.—An inspiring new trend emerging from many tourism and hospitality industry leaders is the incorporation of environmentally conscious practices in their properties or destinations. As strong supporters of this trend, the Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI), along with National Geographic Traveler, has created the inaugural “Leader in Sustainable Tourism Award” in conjunction with the 2010 HSMAI Adrian Awards competition. The award, which will be presented on Jan. 31, 2011 at the annual HSMAI Adrian Awards Gala, recognizes a person, company or community for demonstrable leadership and innovation in preserving and communicating an authentic sense of place through...

CHICAGO—Cintas Corp. announced the availability of a new eco-apparel option for the housekeeping department. Designed with the environment in mind, Cintas’ Velocity collection has been reinvented to include a 60/40 recycled polyester/polyester blend fabric. This is one of several eco-friendly collections by Cintas to be introduced for housekeeping this year. “Housekeeping is often the largest department in a hotel,” said Todd McKeown, vice president of hospitality at Cintas. “By converting our existing collections into eco-apparel, housekeepers now have a choice that supports their hotel’s green initiatives. Using eco-friendly garments in the housekeeping department substantially broadens a hotel’s environmental commitment.” To develop...

PETER ISLAND, BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS—Boaters have known for decades how to harness the power of wind, and, this past spring, Peter Island Resort & Spa followed their lead by becoming the first to install wind turbines in the Virgin Island territory. “We’ve studied the idea for years as a method to better manage our energy needs while maintaining the beautiful, undisturbed landscapes that Peter Island is known for,” said Van Ande, CEO of the property. “These new state-of-the-art turbines are not only environmentally friendly but also energy efficient, which makes them an ideal option for this geographic location. Many people...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has named the 50 green power partners using the most renewable electricity. The Green Power Partnership’s top purchasers use more than 12 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh) of green power annually, equivalent to the annual carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from the electricity use of more than 1 million average American homes. Green Power helps to prevent emissions from conventional power sources that are linked to harmful air pollution and climate change. The top 10 on the list are Intel Corp., Kohl’s Department Stores, Whole Foods Market, City of Houston, Dell Inc., Johnson & Johnson, Cisco...

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, CALIF.—Wen-I Chang, founder and president of Atman Hospitality Group, Inc., has published a book that profiles 23 green hotels—both pre-LEED pioneer green hotels and the LEED certified hotels that followed. The creator of the book, called "World's LEED Hotels: Innovation, Renovation & Development," is Ling Ling Chang, project manager with Atman Hospitality Group. Twenty of the hotels profiled in the hard cover book are in the United States, one is in the U.S. Virgin Islands, one is in Sri Lanka, and the other is in Chile. Hotels profiled include: Post Ranch Inn, Big Sur, Calif.; Maho Bay Camps,...

PORTLAND, ORE.—In recognition of Portland’s growing bike culture, a unique partnership between the Lloyd Transportation Management Assn. (Lloyd TMA), a five-member project team from 2010 Leadership Portland, and the Doubletree Hotel Portland has culminated in 62 new, covered bike parking spots at the Doubletree Hotel. These spots are in the hotels’ parking facility adjacent to the MAX light rail, and have been designated for public use by bicyclists commuting to and visiting the area. The corral, which consists of 30 new racks meant to accommodate 62 bikes, was conceived and designed by the project team from the 2010 Leadership Portland...

LOS ANGELES—The Boutique & Lifestyle Lodging Association (BLLA), a newly formed association dedicated to uniting the world’s boutique and lifestyle properties and the suppliers that sustain them, announced plans for developing a universal standard and criteria for defining boutique and lifestyle lodgings. Initiated by BLLA’s founder and hospitality industry veteran Frances Kiradjian, and in coordination with its Board of Advisors, hospitality industry leaders, and worldwide boutique property owners and suppliers, the new classification will create a differentiation for this fragmented sector within the hospitality industry. “Having a special classification specifically for this sector will allow boutique hotels to compete on...

MCLEAN, VA.—The past year has presented marketing professionals within the travel and hospitality industries with an array of challenges ranging from global economic instability to the evolving field of social media marketing. Always natural adapters, these marketing gurus have conveyed their bright ideas through numerous advertising, public relations and digital marketing campaigns and initiatives. The Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI) will pay homage to these individuals and recognize their inspired marketing efforts in the 54th annual HSMAI Adrian Awards competition. HSMAI has officially opened the “Call for Entries” for the 2010 awards. The early deadline for entries is...