TORONTO—The Metro Toronto Convention Centre (MTCC) announced the installation of an innovative new carpet system technology that will help to reduce its environmental footprint. It is North America’s first large installation of a system that features firm plastic floor plates with hooks that lock in place, and uses a mechanical hook-and-loop bond that attaches the carpet. With frequent loading and unloading of show equipment, the occasional spill and high visitor traffic, there are certain areas where carpet needs to be replaced. “This initiative is one of many in our green strategy that emphasizes continuous improvement,” said Vince Quattrociocchi, vice president...

HORSHAM, PA.—Green Key Global announced that with the registration of the Motel 6 Anchorage Midtown in Alaska, the Green Key Eco-Rating Program has now established its presence in all 50 United States. Green Key currently has more than 2,100 hotels actively engaged in the program in the United States, Canada and 13 other countries throughout the world. “Green Key Global is committed to perpetuating sustainable lodging throughout North America and beyond,” said Tony Pollard, managing director of Green Key Global. “The program provides hotels with the tools to reduce operating costs and gives them the marketing edge to appeal to...

TROY, OHIO—The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced that ITW Food Equipment Group–North America (ITW FEG) has been honored with a 2011 Energy Star Sustained Excellence award. This is the second consecutive year for ITW FEG to receive Energy Star’s highest honor, after earning back-to-back Energy Star Partner of the Year awards in 2008 and 2009. The Sustained Excellence award is given to a select group of organizations that have consistently exhibited leadership across the Energy Star program. ITW FEG is the first and only commercial foodservice equipment manufacturer that has received the Sustained Excellence award.  With 368 Energy Star...

CLEVELAND, OHIO—Hasek Communications, the Cleveland, Ohio-based publisher of Green Lodging News, welcomes LATHER as a Green Product & Service Directory partner. Since 1999, LATHER has offered spa-quality skin care products made from natural ingredients. Extracts, antioxidants, and rare fruits and herbs have been cherry-picked for their unique benefits. In addition to free standing retail locations, LATHER supplies in-room, retail and spa products to distinguished locations around the globe. LATHER is the first luxury brand to feature EcoPure, an organic compound rendering plastic packaging biodegradable. All LATHER products are certified by Sustainable Travel International. For more information, e-mail Derek@lather.com, call (626)...

NEW CASTLE, DEL.—Speakman Company will be exhibiting at the upcoming Kitchen and Bath Show at the Las Vegas Convention Center, April 26 to 28 (Booth C4589). During the expo Speakman will be showcasing the latest additions to its showerhead line. Shower introductions include the new product line which prominently features the Anystream 360 degree spray technology. Developed by Speakman’s engineering team, Anystream 360 spray technology allows Speakman Anystream showerheads to achieve a 360 degree rotation to the spray adjusting mechanism (handle or faceplate). This adjustability allows the user to make small incremental adjustments to the spray of the showerhead and...

PULASKI, N.Y.—Antony Papageorgiou, a Cornell Hotel School alumnus and veteran of the hospitality industry, has been named the new COO at PURE Global Solutions, LLC in Pulaski, N.Y. Papageorgiou held several key leadership positions in hotel operations, branding and corporate training/development in the luxury and ultra premium cruise industry before starting a new career in indoor air and surface purification in 2008. “I am very excited to join the PURE Solutions Global team at a time when all of our efforts are directed toward strengthening our support to our existing distributors and broadening our presence worldwide,” Papageorgiou said. “This award-winning,...

MEMPHIS, TENN.—Memphis-based Cooper Hotels, the largest multi-unit operator of hotels in Tennessee, announced the completion of the installation of a solar thermal system at the company’s Hilton Knoxville Airport hotel. The emissions-free, completely silent system provides energy to heat almost 2,000 gallons of water per day for the five-story, 238-room hotel. In addition to being pollution-free and helping to reduce global warming, the new system also helps to preserve natural gas resources. “Cooper Hotels is committed to creating more sustainable lodging in Tennessee,” said Pace Cooper, Cooper Hotels’ president and CEO. “In addition to the Hilton Knoxville Airport solar project,...

SHANGHAI, CHINA—URBN Hotels & Resorts announced a partnership with sustainable water experts, Environtech (an operating brand of Hallmark Environmental Technologies, Inc). The two companies have joined forces on a project which will bring clean, pure, potable tap water to all of URBN’s three food and beverage outlets at the URBN Hotel in Shanghai, including their new restaurant Downstairs with David Laris. Environtech will provide the URBN Hotel with an on-site Re:Water water recycling system, which will increase the quality of water to meet or exceed the World Health Organization (WHO) drinking water standards. For the restaurant, this means all food...

TROY, OHIO—For the fifth year, the Hobart Center for Foodservice Sustainability (HCFS) plans to award a $5,000 grant to the organization judged to have the best-executed foodservice or grocery sustainability project. Applications are currently being accepted, and the recipient is to be announced at the 2012 National Restaurant Association Show in Chicago. “The Hobart Center for Foodservice Sustainability provides a forum for sharing the best practices that help make foodservice operations more efficient, more sustainable and more profitable,” explained Rick Cartwright, vice president, ITW Food Equipment Group and an HCFS Fellow. “We are pleased to again offer a $5,000 grant...

CLEVELAND, OHIO—Hasek Communications, the Cleveland, Ohio-based publisher of Green Lodging News, welcomes Protect-A-Bed as a Green Product & Service Directory partner. Protect-A-Bed offers a complete line of protective bedding products designed to preserve mattresses and keep them out of landfills. AllerZip is the world’s first scientifically proven bed bug entry, escape and bite proof mattress encasement featuring the patented BugLock with SecureSeal three-sided zipper system. The products also offer allergy protection, which helps hotels create a healthy and restful sleep environment. Protect-A-Bed also offers mattress pads, pillow protectors and other items. For more information, e-mail Sandra@protectabed.com, call (866) 297-8836, or...