SOLON, OHIO—Tarkett, a world leader in innovative and sustainable flooring solutions, has introduced 12 accent colors to its VCT II collection. The new colors—spanning all shades of the rainbow—allow for playful creativity in schools and retail settings. “VCT II has been a long-trusted solution for its merging of great design and outstanding value,” said Jason McKee, Senior Director, Commercial Resilient. “With the addition of these new colors, customers can enjoy the same durability and reliability they’ve counted on for years, while also unlocking new ways to elevate their everyday spaces.” The new colors are: Limoncello, Golden Maize, Orange Tango, Red Rose, Bold...

SAN FRANCISCO—Verdafero, a leader in environmental reporting, plans to offer deeper analytics, covered emissions tracking for hospitality customers, and other analytical reporting for hospitality customers. The new features are a direct response to industry climate accountability pressures. Emissions reporting with emissions analytics is a needed compliance tool for hospitality’s climate engine. Verdafero’s enhancements in analytics and emissions reporting ensure hospitality will respond to the new climate of infrastructure regulations. With the provision of the expanded emissions reporting service, Verdafero is the first company to give hospitality operators the ability to monitor and quantify their emissions in a unified platform...

NATIONAL REPORT—Cold-storage rooms may look like simple metal boxes, but their performance is governed by what lies between the inner and outer walls. Insulation determines how efficient the refrigeration is, how much energy is consumed, how long it resists moisture and corrosion, and, ultimately, how reliably it protects food or pharmaceuticals. As energy codes tighten and operating margins shrink, cold storage manufacturers are rethinking everything from the materials they use to the systems that shape them. The industry is moving toward three central priorities: higher performing insulation, precision driven automation, and more sustainable manufacturing practices. Why Traditional Foam Falls Short For...

ATLANTA—The 2025 ASHRAE Building Decarbonization Conference, set for October 22 to 24, 2025, in Chicago, will be the gathering place for professionals to determine how to accelerate building decarbonization strategies. “Decarbonization is not just about technology. It’s about rethinking how we design, operate, and value our buildings,” said 2025-26 ASHRAE President Bill McQuade, P.E., CDP, Fellow ASHRAE, LEED AP. “This conference is about equipping building professionals with the strategies, partnerships and tools needed to make measurable progress. This is the ‘must-attend’ conference for professionals in the business of designing, constructing or operating buildings.” The two-and-a-half-day program will feature 21 seminars, 14 panels,...

HELSINKI—For the second year in a row, Helsinki has been ranked first in the Global Destination Sustainability (GDS) Index. The international Global Destination Sustainability (GDS) Index measures the sustainability of tourist destinations in four different categories based on more than 70 indicators. Over a hundred cities around the world committed to sustainability are included in the comparison. This is the second consecutive year that Helsinki has topped the ranking. “Helsinki is investing in sustainable growth in tourism. Our aim is to make Helsinki a welcoming destination for a steadily rising number of travelers. Being the world’s most sustainable tourist destination for the...

Name: Natily Santos Title: Vice President, Responsible Sourcing Company: Aramark + Avendra International Years in Current Position: Five years, 11 months Primary Responsibilities: As Vice President of Responsible Sourcing at Aramark + Avendra International, she drives sustainable procurement and inclusive sourcing initiatives that have contributed to advancing sustainable practices for operators and clients, as well as generated over $1 billion in economic impact through Aramark partnerships with small and underrepresented suppliers. Company’s most significant accomplishment in sustainability: “There’s no single initiative; we continue to expand and track progress across all programs annually, while identifying new opportunities for improvement. This year, we’ve prioritized growing the Avendra...

NATIONAL REPORT—Deloitte’s latest corporate travel survey reveals a complex landscape for business travel up to 2026. While budgets are generally increasing, there is a notable shift in priorities and a growing emphasis on cost management and sustainability. The survey, conducted among U.S.-based travel managers and corporate travelers, provides insights into the evolving dynamics of corporate travel. Company travel spend holds steady, but changes are on the horizon: three in four (74 percent) travel managers surveyed plan to expand budgets this year (similar to 2024), but fewer (68 percent) expect to do so for 2026. However, the share of travel managers expecting...

NEW YORK—Carnegie, a leader in sustainable textiles and acoustical management solutions for the commercial industry, announces its fourth consecutive recertification as a Certified B Corporation (“B Corp”) by B Lab. This achievement underscores Carnegie’s ongoing commitment to meeting high standards of verified social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency. Carnegie has been B Corp certified since 2014, undergoing rigorous recertification every three years to ensure compliance with B Lab’s continuously evolving standards. Unlike certifications that address only single attributes, B Corp Certification is a holistic framework that evaluates a company’s overall impact. In an industry crowded with certifications and vulnerable to greenwashing,...

ALASKA—Alaska has embraced its identity as “The Last Frontier” and experienced significant growth in eco-tourism, fueled by rising cruise traffic and interest in outdoor recreation, helping to offset the state’s declining oil industry. Despite challenges with strained infrastructure and political uncertainty, the overall outlook remains positive, with tourism revenues reaching record highs year-over-year. The state of Alaska, once competing for the top spot among American states for crude oil production, has been adjusting to a new reality. While oil production still accounts for a considerable 40 percent of total state revenue, according to The Tundra Drums, that percentage is significantly below oil...

INTERNATIONAL REPORT—Visiting a holiday park, ranging from lodge parks to caravan parks or glamping yurts, is a favored holiday choice for the U.K. domestic market. Estimating the market size for U.K. holiday parks is complex due to overlapping categories. However, Mintel estimates the holiday centers and parks segment revenue to be valued at £3.5bn in 2024—a 20 percent growth from pre-pandemic levels. In 2023, there were 4,754 holiday parks and campsites operating in the U.K., accounting for 320,901 pitches, with the highest number in South West England. The sector further supports approximately 230,000 full time jobs across the U.K. Holiday parks and campsites generated...