MIDLAND, MICH.—The Dow Chemical Company announced that the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) will fund key lab research as part of a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) between Dow and DOE’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) to accelerate the adoption of cool roof technologies in the United States. As a critical element of the research agreement, ORNL will partner with DOE’s Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) to bring a broad range of cool roof technology and experience from their applied research in this field. The research will focus on the development of new solar reflective technologies that would...

NASHVILLE—A new Drury Plaza Hotel, the more upscale brand within the Drury family, is currently being built in Franklin, Tenn., and the shell of the building is being made with ultra-efficient, eco-friendly insulated concrete forms, commonly referred to as ICFs. Middle Tennessee’s most established ICF builder, A Better House, Inc., has been hired to assist in the construction. The structure stands at more than 130 feet, giving it a total of 11 stories plus a penthouse. The anticipated opening date is set for sometime this fall. As one of the first hotel chains to utilize ICF construction, Drury has quickly...

SOUTHLAKE, TEXAS—The Roaming Gnome is hosting a week-long scavenger hunt, where Twitter followers have a chance to win prizes, while finding the “greenest” hotspots from uptown to downtown Manhattan. “The Roaming Gnome Makes Earth Day Sweet Scavenger Hunt” kicked off today, April 18, in New York City. The Roaming Gnome will be posting updates throughout the week, and the first Twitter follower who decodes his Tweeted clues and appears at the right location will win the grand prize. Grand prizes include hotel stays, show tickets and more. The next 100 runners-up will enjoy a green cookie from Sweetery, one of...

FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA.—For the third year in a row, Broward County has selected Valley Forge Fabrics to receive one of the County’s 2010 Emerald Awards in the Recycling category for environmental excellence. The Emerald Award is given annually by the Broward County Board of County Commissioners and Environmental Protection Department to honor businesses for exceptional commitment to protecting the environment. Valley Forge Fabrics, a leader in sustainable textiles and decorative fabrics for hospitality, launched its FRESH initiative more than five years ago. FRESH is an acronym for Fabrics Redefining Environmental Standards for Hospitality. The company’s Tencel+Plus Lyocell products are the...

SALT LAKE CITY—Control4, a leader in IP-based hospitality control systems, announced that the Control4 platform is running in 154 deluxe guestrooms and 66 suites at the Montage Deer Valley, which opened in Park City, Utah in December 2010. The Control4 implementation includes lighting control, advanced temperature control, fireplace control, remote controlled privacy settings and energy saving features. “The Control4 hospitality solution represents an excellent balance in providing in-room automation services for our guests’ enjoyment and convenience, coupled with an integrated energy management tool to operate our business,” said Bill Claypool, vice president, development services at Montage Hotels & Resorts. “Hotel guests...

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...