WASHINGTON, D.C.—More than 150 hospitality leaders from industry, academia and the trade media gathered last month to hear a panel of experts address the need to further develop sustainable business practices. Hilton Hotels executive and panel member Christopher Corpuel framed the discussion by presenting his definition of sustainability. “’It is addressing your needs today, without negatively impacting your needs for tomorrow,” said Corpuel, vice president of global sustainability for Hilton. “As we question why we do what we do, we must always ask, ‘Is there a better way?’ said David Stipanuk, associate professor at Cornell’s School of Hotel Administration and...

LAS VEGAS—Harrah’s Operating Company, Inc., a subsidiary of Harrah’s Entertainment, Inc., and NativeEnergy, an international marketer of high quality carbon offsets and renewable energy credits (RECs), announced an agreement to provide Harrah’s guests the opportunity to mitigate the global warming impact of their travel to Harrah’s managed resorts by purchasing carbon offsets from new renewable energy projects. “We are continually looking for innovative environmentally sustainable practices to implement throughout our portfolio of 40 domestic properties,” said Gary Loveman, chairman, CEO and president of Harrah’s Entertainment. “Environmental stewardship is an important component of our Code of Commitment, the casino entertainment industry’s...

SANTA CRUZ, CALIF.—Environmentally-conscious furniture design company Maria Yee, Inc. marked its first shipment of select products made with 100 percent Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified hardwood last month. “Five years ago our China factories started looking into using hardwood that was FSC-certified,” said Maria Yee, president. “To finally have our efforts validated by such a well-respected organization is incredibly gratifying.” The FSC is an international organization that promotes responsible management of the world’s forests. Maria Yee began researching FSC certification in 2003 while the FSC was working with Chinese authorities on certification matters. During that time, Maria Yee continued to enforce...

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J.—The Atlantic City Convention & Visitors Authority (ACCVA) announced that it has awarded Pepco Energy Services, a subsidiary of Pepco Holdings, Inc., a 20-year power purchase agreement with the Atlantic City Convention Center (ACCC) to install the largest single roof-mounted solar array in the United States. “With each step we take, the ACCVA continues to embrace green initiatives and stand at the forefront of the environmental movement,” said Jeffrey Vasser, executive director of the ACCVA. “Following Governor Jon S. Corzine’s lead in taking a proactive look at environmental issues, our outstanding team has worked in conjunction with Pepco...

BEVERLY HILLS, CALIF.—Doubletree Hotels announced that it has received the prestigious 2008 “Promise to the Earth Award” from the Arbor Day Foundation. The Promise to the Earth award is presented annually by the world’s largest nonprofit tree planting organization to corporations for outstanding commitments to environmental stewardship and education. The award also recognizes organizations that support the Arbor Day Foundation’s mission to “Inspire people to plant, nurture and celebrate trees.” The Arbor Day Foundation acknowledged Doubletree for their continued and growing dedication to three major projects: • Doubletree Teaching Kids to CARE Community Outreach Program. Since the spring of 2004, Doubletree has...

WATERFORD, N.Y.—Cascades Tissue Group (Cascades), North America’s fourth largest producer of tissue paper, announced an agreement to offset all the electricity used to manufacture North River commercial towel and tissue products with wind-generated energy, supplied by Community Energy. Through this purchase, Cascades will be the first EPA Green Power Partner to use clean, renewable, emission-free wind energy in the manufacturing process of Away-From-Home towel and tissue products. North River is the first brand in this market to be made with 100 percent Green-e certified renewable electricity. Starting June 1, 2008, Cascades’ commitment to purchase 11,000 megawatt hours (MWh) of Green-e...

GREENSBORO, N.C.—The Proximity Hotel will give a free presentation to share its journey of the design and building of the “greenest” hotel in the country. The Sustainable Practices Symposium will be held on Wednesday, July 9, from 2 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the hotel. Dennis Quaintance, president, developer and chief design officer, will lead the discussion that will include the step-by-step process of gaining LEED certification (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) from the U.S. Green Building Council. The symposium will end with a behind-the-scenes guided tour. There is no registration fee, but advance registration is required and space...

ANN ARBOR, MICH.—NSF International announced that Mannington is the first floor covering company to be independently certified to NSF Draft Standard 332-2007 Gold Certification for commercial inlaid resilient flooring. The new NSF Draft Standard provides an effective means to evaluate the sustainability of floor coverings. As products with sustainability claims continue to inundate the market, NSF 332 provides end users with the most credible sustainability or “green” claim available in the marketplace—independent certification. This certification also allows consumers to make informed decisions when it comes to understanding and purchasing such products. Certification recognizes the Mannington brand as an environmentally preferable product...

DENVER—National park and resort concessioner Xanterra Parks & Resorts has just completed one of the largest solar photovoltaic (PV) energy systems in the United States. Covering five acres of Southern California’s Death Valley National Park—a 3.3 million-acre park that is the sunniest place in the country—the one megawatt (MW) system will generate more than one-third of the total annual electricity needs of Xanterra’s operations in Death Valley, including the historic Furnace Creek Inn, Furnace Creek Ranch, Furnace Creek Golf Course, employee offices and housing. Xanterra’s facility is one of the largest privately owned PV energy systems in the country...

PHOENIX, ARIZ.—ARAMARK Parks & Resorts, a division of ARAMARK Harrison Lodging, announced that it has chosen Renewable Choice Energy, the award-winning, full-service provider of renewable energy credits and carbon offsets, and Bonneville Environmental Foundation, to continue its traditional energy offset program. In 2007, ARAMARK began offsetting 100 percent of its traditional energy consumption with alternative energy solutions at its national and state park managed properties. ARAMARK has purchased 17,152,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of green power in Renewable Energy Credits (RECs). The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that this purchase helps avoid the same amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions produced...