LAS VEGAS—MGM Resorts International recently announced that the Green Key Global Eco-Rating Program elevated Mandalay Bay Resort to its highest, Five Key rating. Mandalay Bay joins only six other U.S. resorts to achieve this honor. Designed specifically for hotel operations, the Green Key Eco-Rating Program is a comprehensive environmental audit and ranks, certifies and inspects hotels and resorts in North America based on their commitment to sustainable “green” operations. Mandalay Bay’s sustainability status was raised by Green Key following the addition of new green practices to the resort’s internal sustainability program. The recognition of the program’s highest award now gives...

NEW YORK—Trove, a wallcovering company with a focus on art and nature-inspired themes, introduces REDEUX, an eco-friendly commercial grade printed wallcovering that is a recyclable alternative to PVC. REDEUX contains more than 31 percent post-consumer recycled materials, and combines Type II durability with a Class “A” fire rating. The high level of breathability in the material increases resistance to mold and mildew in humid environments, and with no harmful gas emissions and low VOC emissions, REDEUX contributes to safer air quality and up to 6 LEED point credits. A true alternative to vinyl wallcovering, Trove will also offer a reclamation...

MILWAUKEE, WIS.—Telkonet, Inc., a company specializing in integrated intelligent networking and smart energy management solutions, is generating savings through a new SmartEnergy installation within the Springhill Suites hotel on Paradise Road in Las Vegas. This recently completed installation has enabled the hotel to expand its environmental awareness initiatives while recognizing significant savings on its energy reduction. By using Telkonet’s SmartEnergy platform, the hotel is able to implement a program that ensures guest comfort while optimizing energy savings. With 300 guestrooms and nine conference rooms totaling more than 4,500 square feet of conference space, the Springhill Suites recognized a significant opportunity...

CLEVELAND, OHIO—Hasek Communications, the Cleveland, Ohio-based publisher of Green Lodging News, welcomes TreeSmart Industries, Inc. as a Green Product & Service Directory partner. TreeSmart manufactures custom imprinted pencils from 100 percent recycled newspapers. The pencils are made using no mulching or mixing with toxic recycling chemicals. They sharpen easily, are as hard as wood pencils, and last longer. All pencils are made with high-quality ferrules and latex-free erasers that do not smudge. Selective colors for erasers are available upon request. Golf-size pencils and recycled paper pens are also available. TreeSmart has been making recycled newspaper pencils since 1998 and...

TROY, OHIO—ITW Food Equipment Group announced the launch of its sustainable design website. The new site provides customers with information on how to create a more sustainable operation in order to reduce operating costs and decrease impact on the environment. “Our customer awareness and deep product knowledge has shown us foodservice and grocery operators as well as suppliers are pledging to reduce waste, energy use and water use,” said Tom Szafranski, president of ITW Food Equipment Group-Commercial. “From this insight we created the sustainable food equipment site as a resource for our customers, showing them how to save money on...

MARIETTA, GA.—Do you have an eye for cutting-edge carpet design? Durkan, the hospitality brand of The Mohawk Group, is calling on design professionals and students to discover a new way to express their creativity with its second annual carpet design contest. Supported by NEWH (The Network of the Hospitality Industry), D*scover aims to exhibit the talent of hospitality designers, while contributing toward the education of future designers. Participants will compete for the opportunity to travel to the HD Expo and Conference (HD Expo), which will be held May 18 to 20, 2011 in Las Vegas, and showcase their winning...

PALO ALTO, CALIF.—Southwall Technologies Inc. and Dow Corning Corporation announced the availability of energy-efficient Heat Mirror “S” film and 982FS two-part structural silicone sealant for commercial building projects in North America. Having successfully worked together over the past three decades, the two companies are now combining the best of their suspended film and silicone sealant technologies to provide the industry’s lightest weight and most energy-efficient multi-cavity insulating glass available for large glass-intensive projects. With the combined solution, architects and window manufacturers can now increase energy savings by up to 30 percent, block more than 99 percent of UV radiation...

WAYLAND, MASS.—A breakthrough drought-resistant grass seed is saving commercial property owners on watering, mowing and fertilizer, while preserving drinking water supplies and protecting consumers from the health risks of lawn irrigation waste. Customers have attractive, low maintenance, low cost, “green” results. Pearl’s Premium Ultra Low Maintenance Lawn Seed is the result of eight years of research and development by scientist and environmental expert Jackson Madnick, who said it grows at one quarter the rate of blue grass, requiring mowing only once a month rather than every week. With 12-inch roots, Pearl’s Premium needs no fertilizer, rarely needs water once established,...

NEW YORK—LG Electronics recently showcased advancements in energy-saving technologies and luxury design elements at the 2010 International Hotel, Motel + Restaurant Show. LG highlighted its Multi-V Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) technology and its stylish Art Cool units, demonstrating new ways to reduce energy output and climate control costs without sacrificing design. “As hoteliers continue to look at LEED and green initiatives, LG is proud to offer innovative solutions in our ever-expanding line of commercial HVAC products,” said Steve Schmitt, director, Commercial Air Conditioning, LG Electronics USA. “Our current line of commercial HVAC products demonstrates enhanced air flow options and low...

LOS ANGELES—With the holiday season upon us, millions of people across the United States will be on the move, either returning home, visiting friends and family, or enjoying a well-earned vacation. They may also be bringing unwanted travel companions with them, in the form of bed bugs. Media interest in the current bed bug epidemic may have diminished a bit in recent months, but the problem continues to grow and holiday season travelers are likely to help the pests spread farther and wider. “Travel is one of the easiest ways for bed bugs to spread,” says Holly Walker, vice president...