CHICAGO—TraknProtect, a pioneer of location-based technology purpose-built for the hotel industry and a leading employee safety button provider for several major hotel brands, announced it has been selected as a Preferred Supplier of safety buttons by Avendra, hospitality’s leading procurement services company. After successfully completing a strict vendor approval process, TraknProtect is now set to provide members of Avendra, such as Hyatt Hotels, with seamless access to its advanced location-based solutions that are industry-proven to lead to safer, more efficient, and profitable hotel operations. With hotel employee safety remaining a top priority for industry professionals as well as for legislative...

PORT OF PALM BEACH, FLA.—RGF Environmental Group, Inc., a leading environmental design and manufacturing company, has released the results of a third-party test that proves the PHI-PKG14 PHI-CELL product with Photohydroionization technology inactivates greater than 99.96 percent of airborne SARS-CoV-2 virus. The report is the first-of-its-kind to test for viral reductions occurring within the actual air. Utilizing a direct air sampling method rather than surface or in-duct measurements, researchers analyzed the efficacy of neutralizing airborne SARS-CoV-2. SARS-CoV-2, commonly known as coronavirus, is the virus that causes COVID-19. Given the CDC’s determination that SARS-COV-2 is an airborne virus, meaning it spreads from person-to-person...

ATLANTA—Acuity Brands, Inc. announced Trevor S. Palmer was appointed President of the company’s lighting and lighting controls business (ABL). Effective March 1, 2021, Trevor assumes responsibility for driving innovation across the company’s lighting and lighting controls products, growing market share, and executing the digital transformation of the business. Palmer has over 27 years of experience in the building technology industry and recently served as Senior Vice President of Acuity Brands’ Digital Lighting Networks business. “Trevor has successfully led and grown our lighting controls business, a key driver for our future,” said Neil M. Ashe, Chairman, President, and CEO of Acuity Brands....

SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS—Friedrich Air Conditioning Co., a leading U.S.-based manufacturer of air conditioners and other home environment products, has introduced a space-saving 7,000Btu version of its award-winning VRP (Variable Refrigerant Packaged) Heat Pump system to address the needs of the lodging industry for a high-efficiency, cost-effective in-closet heating solution that delivers outstanding indoor air quality for smaller spaces. Designed to accommodate the latest trends in the lodging industry where smaller, better insulated rooms are increasingly common, the smaller unit called VRP studio, takes up less space, provides effective heating, cooling and dehumidification, and yet still allows customized comfort and sophisticated...

ATLANTA—LG Hausys’ HI-MACS solid surface brand is introducing its new Wood Collection and adding four new colors to its Aurora Collection. Reflecting nature-inspired patterns and hues, the new colors can meet a variety of commercial interior design needs where calm and serenity is needed. As its name implies, the Wood Collection is a tribute to the timeless beauty of natural wood. The collection is unique in its ability to display intricate, realistic wood grain patterns and knots. Ideal for commercial spaces, its warm undertones and gentle essence intuitively brings a sense of calm and restoration. As a non-porous surface, it...

ODESSA, FLA.—Green Lodging News welcomes Mayfair Hotel and Restaurant Supply to its Green Product & Service Directory in the “Amenities/Dispensers/Toiletries” category. Mayfair Hotel and Restaurant Supply has been servicing the hospitality industry since 1946. Mayfair works with hundreds of nationally recognized brands, both luxury and value products in hospitality, janitorial, paper, and foodservice categories. The company also offers close to a thousand, nationally stocked “green” products to suit the changing demands of its customers. This includes Eco Pod soap and shampoo as a sustainable and innovative solution for hotels worldwide to reduce single-use plastic waste. These powder-based amenities allow lighter transportation and...

RENTON, WASH.—The market is flooded with UVC-based sanitizing devices due to the current COVID-19 pandemic. Many of these devices do not have the proper safeguards to protect the user against UVC exposure, and most cannot be used with an occupant present. This really defeats the purpose of protecting the occupants against airborne viruses. Aleddra’s Air-Sanitizing Desktop Lamp is ultra-violet (UV) free and provides effective and continuous air-sanitization when occupants are in the room. Aleddra’s award-winning Air-Sanitizing Desktop Lamp uses an air-filter coated with ViraPure, a high-density photocatalyst material which is activated by the LED light source in the lamp. When...

NORTH LAKE, WIS.—Thousands of hotel rooms and corporate offices across the United States use the distinctive design of reCollect2 Company’s in-room recycling receptacles to keep their premises clean, and to strive toward achieving sustainability goals. A new initiative from reCollect2 invites its customers to join the fight against human trafficking, a vile practice that traps tens of thousands of people—many children—in sexual and labor slavery. The sleek, side-by-side recycling and waste bins from reCollect2 are newly offered with the text number for the National Human Trafficking Hotline*, a 24/7 service that offers aid to trafficking victims and a tip line for...

PALM BEACH GARDENS, FLA.—To help prepare the hospitality industry for the eventual return of business and leisure travelers, Carrier Global Corp., a leading global provider of healthy, safe and sustainable building and cold chain solutions, will consult on the development of the next versions of the American Hotel & Lodging Association's (AHLA) Safe Stay Guidelines, with expanded guidance on air quality, ventilation and contactless solutions for both the hotel industry and its guests. As a participant in the Premier Partner Program of the AHLA, a national association representing all segments of the U.S. lodging industry, Carrier will share insights with...

MIAMI—J&J Green Paper, an innovative paper products technology firm based out of Miami, is tackling a well-known environmental hazard: single-use plastics. To raise awareness about the critical issue that is plastic use, production and disposal around the world, the company released ‘The War on Plastics’ report. In the midst of mass regulatory changes worldwide addressing the modern consumption level of plastics and other disposables, J&J Green Paper seeks to encourage players in the plastics and disposable container industries to consider adoption of the groundbreaking alternative materials that are coming to fruition. According to the report, if the production and use of...