LAFAYETTE, COLO.—Benjamin West, a leading global hospitality procurement firm, announced that the Velocity program has been refreshed and upgraded to reflect today’s design trends while using environmentally-conscious products. The updated program will be marketed as Velocity 2.0G (Green) and maintains the high standards of the initial program in design, quality, and value pricing. First developed in 2003 and introduced to the market in 2004, the Velocity program has been installed in more than 12,000 rooms, including flags such as Crowne Plaza, Doubletree, Embassy Suites, Hilton, Holiday Inn, Radisson, Ramada, Renaissance, Sheraton, Westin, Wyndham, and independent properties. The Velocity 2.0G program...

NORTH OLMSTED, OHIO—Moen Inc. introduced a new sustainability-focused section to its website. The new section, which launched in January 2009, is another example of Moen’s commitment to sustainability, providing detailed information on its water-efficient product portfolio. The new section also provides the trade, consumers and the media with additional green resources and information on current industry programs. Moen’s new sustainability section explains all of the company’s corporate waste-reduction and recycling initiatives and allows site visitors to download materials such as a video, literature and green product information. “Going green is not just a fad—it’s a priority that consumers...

CLEVELAND, OHIO—Hasek Communications, the Cleveland, Ohio-based publisher of Green Lodging News, welcomes DryFast B2B as a Green Product & Service Directory partner. The company is the lodging industry’s No. 1 supplier of the DryFast Energy Saving Dryer Blanket. Inserted into the laundry dryer, the blanket can save 15 to 25 percent on energy costs and time drying laundry. Other benefits include: reduced wear on dryers and linen, faster linen turnaround, lower labor costs, and a smaller environmental footprint. For additional information, call (800) 713-3892, e-mail dryfastb2b@verizon.net, or go to www.dryfastb2b.com.

CLEVELAND, OHIO—Hasek Communications, the Cleveland, Ohio-based publisher of Green Lodging News, welcomes VASKA as a Green Product & Service Directory partner. VASKA offers an “EPA Design for the Environment” approved laundry care product system. VASKA’s high-performance botanical solutions for laundry and housekeeping are all-natural, plant-based formulas and are used in LEED certified resorts and spas. VASKA has been formulating and testing botanical laundry solutions since 1999, working alongside commercial laundries, environmental chemists and technicians committed to protect individuals and their environment from chemical damage. VASKA saves money by eliminating unnecessary chemicals and by protecting fabrics. VASKA cleans in both cold...

SAINT PETERSBURG, FLA.—Go Green Planters, Inc., Saint Petersburg, Fla., announced that it has been named a Qualified Vendor by Choice Hotels International, Inc., for the purpose of promoting its Green Room program to Choice franchisees. The program involves the installation of one or more lush tropical plants in each and every guestroom of a hotel. It creates a new profit center, a valuable new guest amenity, and other benefits for franchisees without any capital investment or any cost at all for maintenance. “What’s most appealing about this entrepreneurial concept is that Go Green Planters, Inc. assumes all capital and operating expenses...

ALSIP, ILL.—Litetronics International, Inc. announced that it is now carrying a full line of Plug-in Compact Fluorescent Tube (PFT) lamps in 2700K, 3500K, 4100K, and 5000K. PFT lamps are equipped with a two- or four-pin base that is specific to the lamp’s wattage, and they utilize a ballast that is built into the fixture. The PFT lamps with a two-pin starter are for use with a magnetic ballast. Those that have a four-pin starter are for use with an electronic ballast. Lamps cannot be interchanged with different ballasts. PFT lamps use 75 percent less energy than incandescent lamps...

TEMPERANCE, MICH.—MTS, a leading manufacturer of premium seating for the hospitality industry, announced it is now able to offer to customers within the architectural and design communities the ability to earn Continuing Education Units (CEUs). Through its partnership with the GREENGUARD® Environmental Institute, MTS will conduct continuing education courses for key partners and customers at their locations or events. The continuing education course, “Healthy Indoor Air Quality by Design,” is designed to teach participants to understand the impact of indoor air pollution on human health. Participants will also be able to identify sources of indoor air pollutants and view...

PEACHTREE CITY, GA.—Rinnai Corp., the world’s largest gas appliance manufacturer and leading tankless water heater manufacturer, announced that six models from its line of tankless water heaters have earned the U.S. Department of Energy’s and Environmental Protection Agency’s exclusive Energy Star rating for energy efficiency, including its flagship models, the R94LS and R75LS. Rinnai’s Energy Star qualified products highlight the company’s ongoing commitment to the development and adoption of new energy-efficient technologies, which provide its customers with choices that are both economically and environmentally responsible. “Water heating presently accounts for 15.5 percent of national residential energy consumption, making it the...

VENTURA, CALIF.—Planet Minder LLC introduces ShowerMinder, a product invented to help hotels dramatically save water, energy, money and reduce greenhouse gases by lowering hotel guests’ shower time. ShowerMinder, similar to the highly successful towel/linen reuse programs, invites hotel guests to participate in the conservation of valuable natural resources by asking them to be mindful of their showering time. ShowerMinder runs a “Perfect 8 Minute Shower” program, and by using a timed and universally understood green, yellow and red lighting sequence, simply informs guests when the “Perfect 8 Minute Shower” time has elapsed and encourages them to end their shower and...

BLACKLICK, OHIO—Besa Lighting has introduced a low voltage monorail system with a broad range of pendant and spotlight options and accessories. The heart of the 12V monorail system is a new ultra-low profile rail that is hand bendable, but with enough “memory” to sustain its shape for a variety of configurations. Four- and eight-foot sections are available in either bronze or satin nickel finish, and are field-cuttable to meet exact specifications. Surface-mounted and remote electronic and magnetic transformer configurations are offered. The 300-watt ratings support up to six 50-watt or eight 35-watt low voltage lighting elements. The Besa monorail system...