QUEENSLAND, AUSTRALIA—As the global tourism industry continues to grow faster than most other sectors, it has triggered demand for a more structured approach to certification programs in China. Since the establishment of the Certification and Accreditation Administration of the People’s Republic of China (CNCA) in 2001, high quality development and performance has been a key priority. More recently CNCA formally approved EarthCheck as a certification program in China’s blossoming tourism industry. EarthCheck is a leading scientific benchmarking, certification and advisory group for travel and tourism. Mr Changzhou Liu, CNCA’s Deputy Director, said certification and standards form the basis of China’s national...

SPARTANBURG, S.C.—Leading global innovation company with textile, specialty chemical and floor covering manufacturing expertise, Milliken & Company’s Specialty Interiors business, hosted a presentation by Sustainable Furnishings Council Executive (SFC) Director Susan Inglis at its newly-opened High Point showroom at Showtime. The presentation provided an overview of the material choices in home furnishings that are most critical for sustaining a healthy future. Supported by extensive consumer research conducted by SFC, Inglis offered insight into consumer preference for sustainable options and how these preferences have changed in the last five years. Focusing heavily on materiality—what products are made of, how they are...

SHEFFIELD, ENGLAND—Xeros Cleaning Technologies, the developer of water-saving commercial laundry solutions for hotels and commercial laundries, announced it is changing its name to Hydrofinity from July 10. The company expects the name change to be implemented in all the countries where it is active by August 2018 and is previewing its new brand identity at the Hotel Show Africa in Johannesburg South Africa, June 24 to 26. “Our choice of new company name represents our key objective of helping to sustain the world’s water supplies for current and future generations,” said Mike Ferrand, Managing Director at Hydrofinity. “We must work...

NEW ALBANY, MISS.—Master-Bilt, manufacturer and supplier of a full line of commercial refrigeration, announced that Rodney Johnson has assumed the role of Regional Sales Manager. As Regional Sales Manager, Johnson will manage the Northeastern United States and Eastern Canada and will be responsible for managing seven manufacturer representative groups. Johnson has over 30 years of sales management experience. Most recently, he worked with Acosta Sales and Marketing where he was Vice President of Sales—Midwest. He was responsible for leading the national sales and marketing company in retail food, commercial food service and non-foods (equipment) industries. Prior to Acosta Sales, Rodney managed...

ST. JOSEPH, MICH.—Building on decades of commercial laundry experience, Maytag Commercial Laundry is introducing the newest innovation to its full lineup of solutions this summer—the Maytag Multi-Load Washer. Designed to continually handle large, heavy loads of laundry turn after turn, the Maytag Multi-Load Washer can be configured in hundreds of different ways, allowing owners and property managers to choose among different water heating, electrical connection, controls, drain, water inlet, and construction options. “The Maytag Multi-Load Washer represents an extraordinary addition to our product portfolio that continues to deliver compelling solutions to customers and the industry,” said Trey Northrup, General Manager...

BEIJING—With a key focus on sustainable destinations, infrastructure, over tourism and water management, EarthCheck, a leading business advisory group for travel and tourism, hosted its signature event, the Inner Circle Forum at Marco Polo Parkside in Beijing. The Forum, now in its seventh year, is an exclusive gathering of global travel and tourism thought leaders who collaborate and investigate sustainability challenges facing the tourism industry. Keynote speaker and internationally renowned Dr. Raj Rajan, Ecolab’s Vice President of Research, Development and Engineering and Global Sustainability Technical Leader, presented Water and Energy Management: Implications for China. “Water is the common thread essential to...

COMMERCE, CALIF.—Nora Lighting has posted a comprehensive new Exit and Emergency Lighting brochure online for easy reference. The 32-page catalog (available as a PDF) presents a detailed overview of Nora’s extensive product line with more than 60 exit and emergency models for indoor and outdoor use. Nora fixtures are designed to provide the safest egress in all situations and include a wide variety of wall and ceiling models, plus emergency recessed downlights. Incandescent emergency lights are listed, along with efficient LED exit signs and self-illuminating units with no metal or electrical parts. Architectural models feature brush finished faces to complement...

SEATTLE—Amazon announced Alexa for Hospitality, a new experience offered by invitation to hoteliers that brings the simplicity and convenience of Alexa to hotels, vacation rentals, and other hospitality locations. Using the Amazon Echo in their room, guests can now ask Alexa for hotel information, contact the hotel to request guest services, play music in their room and more. For hotels, Alexa for Hospitality helps deepen guest engagement through seamless voice-first experiences that offer new ways for guests to access services and amenities during their stay. Alexa for Hospitality is available to hospitality providers by invitation, with Marriott International introducing...

PAUL, MINN.—In its new annual corporate sustainability report, Catalyst for a Better World, Ecolab Inc. highlights how it helps customers reduce water and energy use, ensure clean hospitals, hotels and restaurants, and safely produce the world’s food and energy. “Many companies have complex sustainability needs and aspirations,” said Emilio Tenuta, Vice President of Corporate Sustainability. “Our industry-leading expertise and solutions help them reduce water and energy use for everything from industrial water boilers and cooling towers to warewashing processes for restaurants and foodservice facilities. All of these individual interventions add up to a significant global impact.” In 2017, Ecolab helped customers...

WEST WARWICK, R.I.—Lighting Science, a global pioneer in biological LED lighting solutions, announces a partnership with Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas, the premier health and wellness hotel group. The two brands share a scientific and holistic approach to wellness, and through this collaboration will offer Six Senses’ guests a better night’s sleep and a more mindful travel experience. As part of their integrated wellness philosophy, Six Senses worked with renowned industry experts to develop Sleep with Six Senses, a property-wide initiative that promotes better sleep. In addition to selecting specialty bedding and mattresses, the group selected Lighting Science GoodNight LED...