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...

BETHESDA, M.D.—Jeanne Varney (formerly vice president, Host Hotels & Resorts) and David Mahood (principal, Olive Designs) have recently joined their consulting services to create Olive Hospitality Consulting. The new organization will provide balanced business solutions for a wide variety of sustainability challenges facing the hospitality industry. Combining Varney’s wealth of hotelier experience and Mahood’s sustainable design and manufacturing background, Olive Hospitality Consulting will offer a broad range of services from operational audits to “green” product sourcing. “We have passed beyond the stage of choices without consequences and have entered into a period of habitat reconstruction,” Mahood says. “We must rethink...

DALTON, GA.—Zeftron nylon has added new, sustainable and stylish colors to its color line. Zeftron nylon, a premium branded nylon 6 commercial carpet yarn system, now offers more than 100 fashionable colors, all of which are fully recyclable, contain a minimum of 25 percent recycled content, and are MBDC Cradle to Cradle certified. “Color is an essential part of Zeftron nylon’s business,” said Karen Martin CMG, with Beaulieu Commercial. “These new additions bring even more depth to their color bank and more complexity and sophistication to their offerings. As a designer, you can never have too many colors and these...

CLEVELAND, OHIO—Hasek Communications, the Cleveland, Ohio-based publisher of Green Lodging News, welcomes AtmosAir Solutions as a Green Product & Service Directory Partner. AtmosAir Solutions’ air purification process can eliminate mold, control bacteria and the spread of airborne viruses, and reduce airborne particles and germs that get past normal filtration solutions. The company’s technology involves an all-natural process and produces no harmful by-products such as ozone or ultraviolet light, commonly found in many other products. AtmosAir Solutions is now offering its advanced and proven technology throughout North America for use in hotels and many other applications where indoor air quality...

HORSHAM, PA.—The Green Key Eco-Rating Program (Green Key) announced that Fairmont Hotels & Resorts has committed its portfolio in the United States to becoming members of the Green Key Eco-Rating Program. The recent launch of the Green Key Eco-Rating Program in the United States signifies the evolution of the program from its Canadian roots to one that serves the needs of conservation-minded properties across Canada and the United States. The partnership between Green Key and Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, an environmentally progressive hotel group with close to two decades of experience greening its operations, dates back to the original...

ALPHARETTA, GA.—The Bancroft Hotel, a National Registered Landmark and a premier boutique hotel based in Berkeley, Calif., has teamed up with The Refinishing Touch to update furniture as part of a large-scale renovation project. The Bancroft Hotel was built in 1928, was designed by noted Bay Area architect Walter T. Steilberg, and has come to be known for its historic charm, personalized service and eco-friendly practices. Located directly across the street from the University of California at Berkeley and next door to the Berkeley Art Museum, the Bancroft is part of the rich and diverse history of the Bay...

CLEVELAND, OHIO—Martinson-Nicholls, Inc. and the Andersen Company have rolled out their new Enviro PLUS entrance mats. These mats feature carpet made with 100 percent post consumer recycled PET Polyester fiber reclaimed from plastic bottles, and rubber backing from recycled tires. “Sometimes green means less attractive—not so with Enviro Plus in two attractive patterns and eight designer colors,” states Martinson-Nicholls president, Dan Ruminski. Enviro Plus wipes off moisture and finer dirt particles while providing protection to floor surfaces. It may be used as a wiper mat in a three-mat entrance system, or for spill control and floor protection mat at water fountains,...

CLEVELAND, OHIO—Hasek Communications, the Cleveland, Ohio-based publisher of Green Lodging News, welcomes Vivaro Water as a Green Product & Service Directory partner. Vivaro Water’s water delivery system utilizes advanced technology to purify water. A nine-stage process removes dirt particles, chlorine, chemicals, pesticides, metals and other solids. The appliance delivers fresh clean drinking water utilizing existing water sources and eliminates the need to store and handle bulky water jugs. Vivaro’s stand-alone, high tech, high gloss “appliance” takes up less space than the outdated bottled water coolers. They can be conveniently installed anywhere on the premises without permanent alterations to buildings. The...

MIAMI—Salt Lake City, Utah-based Control4, a provider of automated guestroom solutions for new and existing hotels and resorts, is working with MTech, a leading provider of guest response and work flow automation solutions, to enhance its product and improve guest service for its hotel clients around the United States. Control4 Suite Systems has been integrated with MTech’s HotSOS (pronounced “hot sauce”) in what Control4 officials call a door-to-drapes guestroom solution for anything from room lighting to temperature control to bellman’s requests, valet services and concierge services. “Virtually anything a guest needs is at his or her fingertips in real-time when...

LITTLE ROCK, ARK.—Simple, effective, visible green programs are among the easiest ways to send a message of corporate social responsibility. CynerGreen, a leading authority on sustainable hydration solutions in the hospitality industry, has launched Bottle Free programs designed for hotels and resorts. Becoming a Bottle Free hotel or resort is simple. By eliminating the purchase and distribution of plastic water bottles in retail areas, guestrooms, conference services, back of the house, and replacing them with a reusable solution, a hotel can become certified Bottle Free. This year alone, more than 73 billion beverage cans and plastic water...