SAN FRANCISCO—Global sustainability consultancy Five Winds International, and sustainability hospitality consultants Business Evolution Consulting (BEC) have announced that BEC has been merged into Five Winds International. The addition of a San Francisco office expands Five Winds International’s geographic reach to nine locations worldwide. The merger also expands the firm’s service offerings within the hospitality sector, adding to its expertise within the consumer products, automotive, electronics, government/public, and building and construction sectors. Five Winds International works on behalf of clients to increase shareholder value and address key business drivers by enabling them to understand, improve, and succeed in their initiatives. The...

SAINT CHARLES, MO.—Pineapple Hospitality, a distributor of green hotel products and marketing programs for the hospitality industry, has partnered with CynerGreen to provide a “bottle free” solution for hotels and meeting planners looking to reduce their environmental impact and carbon footprint. CynerGreen offers a complete line of hydration products and services including: adult and children’s reusable, stainless steel water bottles, HealthyTap natural portable water filters, reusable shopping bags, high volume hydration stations, and certification programs tailored to the hospitality and meetings industry. The company’s Bottle Free solutions pave the way for hotels, cities, communities, organizations, events and schools to eliminate...

CLEVELAND, OHIO—Hasek Communications, the Cleveland, Ohio-based publisher of Green Lodging News, welcomes Love Rainbows and Butterflies as a Green Product & Service Directory partner. Love Rainbows and Butterflies is the owner and operator of www.cedaroilcentral.com. The site is the place to purchase organic pest control products formulated from Texas Red Cedar Oil. Versatile, non-toxic Cedar Oil products can be used for indoor/outdoor eradication of non-beneficial insects, including, but not limited to: bedbugs, fleas, dust mites and lice. The products come in different size containers. Natures Defender Bed Bugs, for example, is available in quart and gallon size containers. For more...

ROANOKE, VA.—The brand new Clarion Inn, Pigeon Forge (Tenn.) has installed Lodging Technology’s GEM System Energy Management, GEM Stat Digital Thermostats, and Guest-In-Room Detector in all (94) guestrooms. The system is connected to the property’s General Electric vertical PTAC units in the guestrooms, and is using a switch on the balcony/patio doors to prevent wasteful cooling and heating if the doors are left open. The GEM System reduces hotel/motel guestroom HVAC energy consumption 35 percent to 45 percent by resetting room temperature to an energy conserving level, preselected by the hotel, only while the guest is out of the room....

SAN JOSE, CALIF.—Sustainable Living Group, Inc. recently announced its launch. It is a new company committed to providing the travel, industrial, hospitality and lifestyle industries with eco-friendly products made from sustainable resources. Sustainable Living Group was started because the founders believed there was a lack of everyday products that are made with sustainable materials—from simple necessities like shower caps and shower curtains to industrial products like biodegradable ponchos, coveralls and aprons. Sustainable Living Group is committed to driving sustainability to the mainstream by providing quality and innovative products that have a positive impact on the planet. By striving to design...

PERTH AMBOY, N.J.—Monarch Robe & Towel Co., one of the leading suppliers of fine bathrobes and towels to the global hospitality industry, announced the appointment of Gene Faul as CEO of the company’s Hotel Division. In addition, Karen Faul has been appointed as president of the division. The announcement was made in conjunction with a planned expansion of the company’s burgeoning Hotel Division, which serves four- and five-star hotels and resorts around the world, as well as leading spas and cruise lines worldwide. The newly expanded Monarch Hotel Division will be headquartered in South Egremont, Mass. “When we made the...

MONTREAL—Electronic hotel lock manufacturer Kaba Ilco Inc. launched its new Web store. The store features a complete selection of lock parts and accessories for all models of ILCO electronic hotel locks and systems, from the legacy System 700 products to the latest RFID solutions. Focused on improving customer service, www.ilcostore.com offers practical, hands-on tools to help management companies and private hotel owners alike manage their supply chain. According to John Sarrouf, vice president of sales, North America, “ is an integral part of our industry leading customer support program and provides another access point for our customers to quickly and...

DALTON, GA.—The Carpet and Rug Institute has expanded its Seal of Approval testing and certification program by adding two new testing categories and expanding the existing extractors and deep-cleaning systems testing programs. Introductions to the program include a new Pet Odor and Stain Category, a Platinum Level for Extractors and Systems, and an Energy Efficiency Rating Option for Vacuums. A new Pet Odor and Stain Category has been added to the Seal of Approval Solutions program, joining the existing spot remover, pre-spray and in-tank solutions testing categories. The new protocol will test products marketed specifically for pet stain and odor...

ALPHARETTA, GA.—Philips Electronics announced its 2010 hospitality TV range, which includes new lines of commercial televisions for the Free-to-Guest (FTG) and Pay-Per-View (PPV) segments of the hospitality market. The Philips FTG Series, available in Harmony and Lavish ranges, and the Philips PPV Series, available in Synergy and Indulgence ranges, both include attributes that have come to be expected from Philips Hospitality. The launch of the Free-to-Guest ranges demonstrates Philips’ understanding of a hotel industry increasingly moving away from traditional pay-per-view systems, instead offering more high definition content free of charge, as well as guests bringing their own content...

CHICAGO—Coalesse, a new premium live/work furnishings brand, has received the prestigious Designs for Dignity 2010 Sustainability Award. Coalesse is committed to environmentally-responsible design practices and materials and has several products that have earned SCS (Scientific Certification Systems) certification for indoor air quality protection. Coalesse requires all wood veneers sourced from outside of North America and approved European partners to be FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified to ensure fair, safe and responsible methods are used to harvest and process the wood. Coalesse has eight accredited LEED professionals on its team as part of its ongoing effort to remain a leader in...