PORTLAND, ORE.—MeetGreen announces the release of their updated calculator. In response to advancements in sustainable meetings practices such as the release of APEX/ASTM Green Meetings and Events Standards, British Standard for Sustainable Events, and increased awareness of social responsibility and community engagement, MeetGreen has launched an updated version of what was already a robust benchmarking calculator. MeetGreen has advanced the calculator to incorporate a higher level of sophistication to meet the industry’s desire to benchmark their efforts. The MeetGreen Calculator was originally released in 2007. Developed by MeetGreen and reviewed by a technical advisory committee comprised of individuals with extensive...

PORTLAND, ORE.—Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. and local hotel owner Harold Pollin announced that Aloft Portland Airport at Cascade Station has received Green Seal certification for its commitment to environmental responsibility, becoming the city’s first airport hotel to carry the distinction. “Travelers have come to rely on Aloft Portland as an eco-friendly place to stay, and receiving the Green Seal is a huge accomplishment for our environmental efforts,” says Randall Thayer, executive vice president of Pollin Hotels. “The Silver Tier certification is a perfect complement to our recent Starwood award as ‘Aloft Hotel of the Year.’” The Green Seal announcement...

TEMPERANCE, MICH.—MTS Seating has introduced a new series of chairs specifically designed for hospitality dining and breakfast areas. The new DinePlus 20 chairs from MTS feature a 20-inch wide, COMFORTweb seat that meets the requirements and specifications of a wide range of hospitality brands. The DinePlus 20 features a fully upholstered back and COMFORTweb seat to provide superior comfort to the seated patron. Offered in two back styles with either a pullover or drop-edge seat, these chairs are also available with a two-tone seat and back combination.  “We designed these chairs to have the look and feel of residential dining chairs,...

CLEVELAND, OHIO—Hasek Communications, the Cleveland, Ohio-based publisher of Green Lodging News, has added a ClearWater Tech, LLC case study to the Green Lodging News website. The case study details how Manoir Pierrefonds in Pierrefonds, Quebec has benefited from an EnvirO3matic Advanced Laundry Oxidation System. (For the record, the name EnvirO3matic was developed and trademarked by Coinamatic for equipment manufactured by ClearWater Tech in the United States, for which it is the exclusive Canadian distributor.) The senior care facility has benefited in many ways from the ozone system: 16-minute reduction in cycle time, resulting in an increase of 26 loads per...

PALM SPRINGS, CALIF.—On September 18, World Water Monitoring Day will focus attention on protecting and preserving water resources around the world. In recognition of this international awareness campaign, American Leak Detection, specializing in the accurate, non-invasive detection of all types of leaks, asks citizens nationwide to become more “water wise,” and take steps in to conserve and protect this critical resource. “Water is the most common substance found on Earth, but we can’t make or produce new water,” according to Stan Berenbaum, president of American Leak Detection. “That’s why it’s so important to conserve and manage the water we have.” That...

LOS ANGELES—Green Globe International, Inc. announced the company’s intention to move operations and management of the Green Globe brand back to Green Globe Limited, a U.K. corporation that owns the brand, and to sell a controlling interest in the brand to one or more third parties recognized in the industry who would manage the brand’s activities going forward. This would allow the public company to more efficiently pursue emerging opportunities in the green space within the United States and in other underserved regions overseas. Green Globe International, an 88 percent majority owner of Green Globe Limited, intends to maintain...

BLOOMINGTON, IND.—The Ashkin Group, which has long been a leading advocate for green cleaning and sustainable practices in the professional cleaning industry, announces the launch of their new company website. The site, www.AshkinGroup.com, was built under the direction of Elizabeth Crosbie, marketing director for The Ashkin Group. According to Stephen Ashkin, the Ashkin Group’s president, the new site is a reflection of the industry’s evolution from green cleaning to an increased emphasis on sustainability.  “As we did with green cleaning, we are increasing our emphasis on sustainability so we can play a leadership role in this evolution as well,” said Ashkin. According...

NEW YORK—Savvy travelers looking for sustainable vacation options in Latin America and the Caribbean can now find them by logging on to SustainableTrip.org, an online search engine launched by the Rainforest Alliance. SustainableTrip.org is a database of hotels, tour operators and other businesses (such as restaurants) in Latin America and the Caribbean that have been certified by a sustainable tourism certification program, verified by the Rainforest Alliance, or recommended as being sustainable by a reputable organization. The site is available in three languages—English, as SustainableTrip.org; Spanish, as ViajeSostenible.org; and French, as VoyageResponsable.org.  “SustainableTrip.org is a valuable, unique resource in that it...

BOCA RATON, FLA.—Just when you thought there were no more new segments to exploit in the hospitality industry, one bubbles to the surface. Outdoor Traveler Destinations (OTD) is a new membership group that intends to affiliate a wide range of hospitality properties (everything from traditional hotels to dude ranches to fishing camps to something called glamping) that market to the 80 million outdoor enthusiasts in the United States. “It’s a marketing dream come true because we’re catering to a very passionate consumer,” says OTD president Scott Boone, who most recently was an executive with Island Global Yachting but in the...

OTTAWA—ULC Standards, an independent, not-for-profit standards development organization, announced that it has acquired majority ownership of TerraChoice, a global leader in environmental certification and green marketing, and exclusive manager of the EcoLogo Program. TerraChoice joins UL Environment as part of the Underwriters Laboratories global network providing environmental services to companies around the world. TerraChoice’s Canadian operations, office location and staff will remain in place to provide uninterrupted service to more than 500 customers. Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed. The EcoLogo Program helps public and corporate purchasers, as well as consumers, find and trust environmentally preferable products across...