MARIETTA, GA.—The Mohawk Group has named Rochelle Routman director of sustainability. Routman has almost three decades experience driving sustainability programs in both private industry and the public service sector.Routman comes to the Mohawk Group from Southern Company and Georgia Power, where she served as chair of the Sustainability Working Group and environmental specialist. She previously held sustainability leadership positions with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources and Lockheed Martin Aeronautics. She is a member of the Georgia Solar Energy Assn. and membership chair for the Green Chamber of the South.“Rochelle has a strong track record in sustainability culture development...

MADRID, SPAIN—World Tourism Day (WTD) 2012 will be celebrated under the theme “Tourism & Sustainable Energy: Powering Sustainable Development,” inviting everyone involved in tourism—from governments to businesses and tourists themselves—to learn more about the sustainable energy initiatives in place in the tourism sector, debate what more should be done and advance the use of sustainable energy in tourism.“Tourism is leading the way in some of the world’s most innovative sustainable energy initiatives,” says United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai, in his official WTD message. “Energy efficient upgrades to aircraft, the shift to renewable fuel for aviation...

CHICAGO—A multi-hotel complex and convention center planned for development near Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport aims to set the standard for eco-friendly architecture and design in the hospitality industry, and boost the city’s efforts to be a global leader in the green movement. A Chicago Convention Center development promises to be the world’s first zero carbon platinum LEED convention complex, aiming for zero carbon emissions and a 100 percent allergen-free structure. Plans call for the greenest building standards, including state-of-the-art technology that supports “guestrooms of the future,” equipped with high-tech amenities that encourage sustainable behavior. Business guests will be able...

LAS VEGAS—Las Vegas Sands Corp. will release the first Environmental Report in the gaming industry to be formally verified by the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI). GRI is the most prominent reporting standard used today and provides a practical method for breaking down reporting requirements such as management approach to economic, environment and social sectors.The Environmental Report is an integrated study of the company’s green building designs, environmentally responsible operations, green meetings and stakeholder engagement. The report will be launched during an event being held at The Venetian Las Vegas.Las Vegas Sands has spearheaded environmental sustainability practices across the hospitality...

ANN ARBOR, MICH.—NSF International, an independent global organization that writes standards, tests and certifies products for the green building, food, water and consumer goods industries, has certified the first sustainable wallcovering products and qualified three additional distributors to the NSF American National Standard for Sustainable Wallcoverings (NSF/ANSI 342). NSF International developed NSF/ANSI 342: Sustainability Assessment for Wallcovering Products to help architects, designers, retailers and consumers identify sustainable and environmentally preferable wallcoverings.LSI Wallcovering is the first manufacturer to earn NSF/ANSI 342 product certification. The manufacturer certified their entire line of Type I and Type II standard and custom wallcoverings sold...

LAS VEGAS—Advancements in corporate social responsibility for MGM Resorts International are chronicled in its first consolidated Corporate Social Responsibility Report. Themed “Inspiring Our World,” the report reflects the company’s ongoing commitment to inspiring responsible behavior in Diversity & Inclusion, Philanthropy & Community Engagement, and Environmental Responsibility & Sustainability.“We’re committed to excellence and continuous improvement,” said Jim Murren, chairman & CEO of MGM Resorts International. “Our social responsibility imperatives are helping to drive innovation and competitive differentiation throughout our organization. Environmental responsibility is a priority at all levels.”Newsweek Magazine recently ranked MGM Resorts as the most “green” resort and casino...

ALEXANDRIA, VA.—Sustainability initiatives are playing an increasingly important factor in managed travel programs, according to new research released by the GBTA Foundation, the education and research arm of the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA). In conjunction with the regional GBTA Sustainability Committees, travel managers in the United States, Europe and Australia were surveyed for their opinions on sustainability or “green” efforts when it comes to their business travel programs.The study revealed companies are focusing on sustainability measures that can generate savings for companies, influence traveler behavior to make better decisions and are looking to establish relationships with green-friendly suppliers....

SAN DIEGO—HD Supply Facilities Maintenance, a leading supplier of maintenance, repair and operations (MRO) products, has released its first comprehensive sustainability catalog, showcasing items from its expansive line of more than 1,600 ideallygreen products. Customers will find a wide selection of products designed to improve their properties’ water conservation, energy efficiency, indoor air quality, waste reduction and hazardous material disposal. “HD Supply is a one-stop shop for environmentally preferable products and practices, and this comprehensive catalog makes it even easier to purchase green products that make environmental and economical sense,” said Evan Matzen, sustainability manager at HD Supply Facilities Maintenance....

BARAHONA, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC—What was once a family retreat for the Schiffino family, Casa Bonita Lodge is making its mark as one of the most sustainable destinations in the Caribbean. Set on 160 acres of unspoiled land in the Dominican Republic’s Barahuco Mountains, the lodge is partially powered by a 6.5-kilowatt hydroelectric generator situated on the Riosito River. The generator meets 30 percent of the 14-villa lodge’s electricity needs. According to Sandra Beltran, vice president of sales and marketing for Prohotel International, the company that manages the lodge, the goal is to upgrade the hydro plant so that it supplies...

Ashley Halligan, an analyst who regularly reports on sustainability issues, recently published an article defining and breaking down the idea of net zero building. Beginning with an agreed-upon definition from experts she interviewed, she explains, "Net zero indicates that a building has generated at least as much power as it has consumed over a 12-month benchmarking period--which allows for seasonality to be factored into the measurement." She interviewed several experts including, Brian Anderson, Founding Partner of Anderson Porter Design, Dru B. Crawley, former Commercial Buildings Team Lead for the Department of Energy and current Director of Building Performance at Bentley Systems,...