MURRIETA, CALIF.—Green Globe International, Inc., the worldwide owner of the Green Globe brand, announced that it has recognized the Greater Chattanooga Hospitality Association’s Chattanooga Green Lodging Program, the leading certification program for tourism accommodation in the state of Tennessee. “The Chattanooga Green Lodging Program is the first U.S.-based program to be fully recognized by Green Globe,” said Guido Bauer, CEO of Green Globe Certification. “All hotels certified under the Chattanooga program will automatically receive Green Globe Certified status.” GCHA member Tom Cupo first proposed the Green Lodging Program in the fall of 2008, and continued to develop the program until its...

CLEVELAND, OHIO—Hasek Communications, the Cleveland, Ohio-based publisher of Green Lodging News, welcomes Atlantis Hospitality Group as a Green Product & Service Directory partner. The Atlantis Hospitality Group is a full service consulting organization providing operations and service solutions to the hospitality industry. Atlantis professionals assist independent owners, small ownership groups, financial institutions and hotel brokerage firms with cost-effective solutions to specific hotel operational needs. As president of the Atlantis Hospitality Group of consultants, Ray Hobbs provides assistance and guidance for Green Globe Certifications and Audits, green sustainability programs, and implementation of green consumption reduction practices in existing hotels. Ray is...

NEW YORK CITY—Sina Pearson, founder and head of New York City-based Sina Pearson Textiles, introduces her latest eco-friendly collection with Crypton Green technologies. The collection utilizes the exuberant palette of India. Indian Summer, sustainably produced from post-consumer recycled polyester fibers, offers two related patterns in a total of thirteen colorways. The Crypton Green finish adds stain, moisture, microbial and odor resistance, without harming the environment. The collection will premier in November 2009. To create the fabrics’ palette, Pearson imagined women in brightly colored silk saris standing in rice fields, a juxtaposition of hot colors with earthy green and brown landscape...

CARLSBAD, CALIF.—When Hassan Ghamlouch heard that lotus turned ordinary tap water into a chemical-free cleaner that is faster and stronger than chlorine bleach, he found it hard to believe—until he actually saw what it could do. “I was reluctant at first, but an easy convert after the astonishing results,” said Ghamlouch, director of housing at the University of California at Riverside. The lotus Chemical-free Cleaning System uses standard 110 volt power to turn tap water into liquefied ozone—a powerful natural cleaner. “Our chemical-free system is greener, cleaner, and costs less,” said Davis Gravelsins, vice president of marketing with Tersano Inc....

AUSTELL, GA.—YKK AP America, a leader in manufacturing high quality architectural products, introduces enerGfacade, its new family of energy-efficient products, as part of the YKK Group’s 50 year anniversary in the architectural products business. The family includes several products, such as Luminance, ThermaShade and YOW350T. These flagship products are currently available on the market, and new products will be added soon. “Sustainability is—and always has been—a core philosophy for us,” said Oliver Stepe, senior vice president of YKK AP America. “YKK president Tadahiro Yoshida first wrote the Environmental Charter in 1994. Since then YKK AP has continued that...

MOONACHIE, N.J.—Designed with a unique, shimmering, flame-like movement effect, BULBRITE unveils the energy efficient and versatile LED Retrofit Candle. Ideal for a variety of applications including churches, theaters, pubs, hotels, historic homes and buildings, the LED Retrofit Candle is a replacement for 120V lighting fixtures. Its patented electronics create a shimmering flame-like movement that simulates the flickering flame of a real wax candle. The LED Retrofit Candle provides the same realistic ambient light as a traditional candle, but is more economical and safer to use. It fits any standard candelabra-based socket (E12) and enhances the beauty of chandeliers and sconces...

ROANOKE, VA.—The Comfort Suites in St. George, Utah has installed the new GEM Link Wireless guestroom energy management system and GEM Stat Digital Thermostats in all 122 guestroom suites, utilizing their existing GE Zoneline PTAC units. GEM Link Wireless reduces hotel/motel guestroom HVAC energy consumption 35 percent to 45 percent by resetting room temperature to an energy conserving level, pre-selected by the hotel, only while the guest is out of the room. GEM Link uses the reliable ZigBee wireless protocol and consists of wireless passive infrared (PIR) occupancy sensors, wireless door switches, and a transceiver control module connectable to...

DALTON, GA.—Shaw Industries, Inc., through its division Shaw Hospitality Group, and La Quinta Inns & Suites have partnered to keep more than 30 tons of carpet from landfills during five La Quinta hotel renovations in Texas, South Carolina, Tennessee and Florida. Shaw Hospitality Group, a manufacturer of sustainable, reclaimable carpets for public spaces and guestrooms, was specified earlier this year to re-carpet La Quinta guestrooms during a large-scale renovation project. Instead of sending tons of the old hotel carpet to landfills, Shaw Hospitality Group worked with La Quinta to reclaim the carpet and divert it to Shaw Industries’ Evergreen Nylon...

CLEVELAND, OHIO—Hasek Communications, the Cleveland, Ohio-based publisher of Green Lodging News, has added a new case study to the Green Lodging News website. The case study focuses on the InterContinental San Francisco’s recycling program and how the hotel was able to save more than $120,000 annually in waste removal fees. Integral to the hotel’s efforts was the placement of Metro recycling receptacles supplied by T2 Site Amenities in public spaces and Treela Recycling wastebaskets in guestrooms. “They are in very public areas and look terrific,” said Harry Hobbs, director of engineering at the hotel, in regard to the Metro Recyclers....

NIANTIC, CONN.—At a time when many companies are cutting back on personnel and in other areas in order to save on costs, INNCOM International is in the hiring mode. Niantic-based INNCOM, which develops, manufactures and markets room automation systems for the international lodging industry, has added three experienced professionals to its sales force. John Chaffin is INNCOM’s new director of sales for the Southeast region, Kelly Miller takes over as director of sales for the Western region, and Adam Smalarz is now administrator of project sales and sales programs. “We understand that in these tough economic times, hotels have to...