WASHINGTON, D.C.—Emma Duncan, deputy editor of The Economist and an expert on the evolving economic state of going green, will share her global insight and environmentally-friendly development strategies at the Americas Lodging Investment Summit (ALIS), January 28–30, 2008. In her keynote address, “Business & Climate Change,” Duncan will advise an audience of hotel executives, investors, developers, and professional financial advisors of the challenges and opportunities posed by climate change and how their businesses can help solve this intractable problem. ALIS, the lodging industry’s annual premier investment conference addressing the unique needs of the hotel investment community, has made eco-friendly business...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The Willard InterContinental, under the leadership of general manager Hervé Houdré, was awarded the IH&RA Environmental Award for Hospitality Sustainable Development for “Willard InterContinental—The Next 100 Years.” The holistic plan is comprised of interwoven sustainable projects designed for a luxurious urban hospitality experience in harmony with social and ecological consciousness and economic viability. The myriad programs that comprise the sustainability program include the conversion to 100 percent wind energy power—making the Willard the first hotel in the nation’s capital and one of the first urban luxury hotels in the United States to achieve this. Other projects include a complete...

CHICAGO—In a presentation at Greenbuild earlier this month, Destiny USA founder and chairman Robert J. Congel introduced the initial design of a hotel and conference facility that will be the next phase of the Destiny USA project in Syracuse, New York. The hotel, which will feature more than 1,300 rooms, is being designed to LEED Platinum standards and will serve as a showcase for sustainability. “Five years ago, Destiny USA was still learning what it takes to build a living laboratory for environmental stewardship, renewable energy and innovation,” Congel said. “Fortunately, we were ahead of the curve. Today we are...

COLUMBUS, OHIO—The Ohio Hotel & Lodging Assn. (OH&LA) held its annual conference on Monday, November 19 in Columbus. Approximately 400 attendees met at the Hilton Columbus at Easton to learn about green industry trends and how to simultaneously save energy, water and improve profitability. The theme for the event was “Lodging Forecast: Green” and featured speakers including Joe McInerney, president and CEO of the American Hotel & Lodging Assn. (AH&LA), and Chris Lane, v.p. environmental affairs for Xanterra Parks & Resorts. McInerney was the keynote speaker during the luncheon. He commended OH&LA for its focus on environmental issues and...

PHILADELPHIA—ARAMARK, a professional services organization and leading concessionaire of parks, resorts and hospitality services, has helped secure a $1 million grant to the National Park Foundation as the initial and lead sponsor of the Foundation’s newly unveiled First Bloom project. First Bloom was created in conjunction with the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, for children to participate in hands-on natural resource protection activities in national parks. The First Bloom project, honoring the work of Lady Bird Johnson, was launched by the National Park Foundation and Honorary Chair, Mrs. Laura Bush. The donation is the first investment in the First Bloom...

DENVER—Xanterra Parks & Resorts announced that it will install one of the largest solar photovoltaic (PV) energy systems in the country—and the largest system in the U.S. tourism industry—in Death Valley National Park, the sunniest place in the country. The one megawatt (MW) system will harness the sun’s energy to generate more than one-third of the annual electricity needs for Xanterra’s operations there, comprised of the Furnace Creek Inn, Ranch, golf course and employee offices and housing. Xanterra’s system in Death Valley will be one of the largest privately owned PV energy systems in the country, and easily the largest...

CLEVELAND, OHIO—Hasek Communications, the Cleveland, Ohio-based publisher of Green Lodging News, welcomes American Atelier, Inc. (AAI) as a Founding Sponsor. AAI is committed to manufacturing furniture products with the most environmentally friendly technology in an efficient and responsible manner while maintaining high standards of excellence. Four generations of ownership at AAI have demonstrated the company’s commitment to excellence by continuously improving its manufacturing processes since its founding in 1920. AAI sources raw materials through the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI). Its manufacturing process uses water-based adhesives, finishing solvents and stains. The company also uses recycled materials as specified by its customers...

GREENSBORO, N.C.—Built to use 40 percent less energy and 30 percent less water than a comparable hotel, Proximity Hotel offers a glimpse of the future while celebrating the past. Sustainable practices, custom-designed furnishings, commissioned art and innovative design await guests in every corner of the 147-room luxury hotel and the adjacent Print Works Bistro. Proximity Hotel’s sustainable design and construction follows the guidelines of the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System, the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings. With the goal to attain Platinum...

SANTA MONICA, CALIF.—The devastation of the recent Southern California fires may have wreaked havoc on the lives of many, but it has not dampened their spirits. It is with that spirit that the California Luxury Collection of Fairmont Hotels & Resorts—including Fairmont Miramar Santa Monica, Fairmont Newport Beach, Fairmont San Jose, Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn, and Fairmont San Francisco—are coming together to lend a hand by purchasing 500 trees from TreePeople in an effort to assist in regrowth in the various forests. “The devastation in Southern California is overwhelming and our thoughts and prayers are with all those impacted,” says...

SAN FRANCISCO—3Degrees announced that it has received a 2007 Green Power Leadership Award from the U.S. Department of Energy for helping to build the market for green power. The annual awards recognize leading national green power suppliers for their commitment and contribution to helping advance the development of the nation’s green power market. 3Degrees’ impact on the total sales of renewable energy and carbon reductions in 2007 is significant. 3Degrees, which recently purchased the assets of the REC and Utility Partnership Division of 3 Phases Energy, serves more than 150 business customers across its product lines, including 28 U.S. and...