BOULDER, COLO.—Sustainable Travel International (STI), a global nonprofit leader in providing market-tested sustainability solutions for the tourism industry, announces the launch of STEP 2.0—its new version of the Sustainable Tourism Eco-certification Program. STEP 2.0, according to STI, is the world’s first comprehensive, global sustainable tourism eco-certification program offered by a nonprofit organization. The program is aligned with the minimum baseline Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria (GSTC). “Now STEP 2.0 is applicable to tourism businesses of all sizes, including newcomers to sustainability, those wanting to improve their existing approach, and even businesses that have long-standing green programs,” explains Brian T. Mullis,...

NEW LONDON, N.H.—Synergistic Lighting Technologies, LLC announced the arrival of a modernization to the traditional 60-watt incandescent bulb. The Tru-Spectrum bulb is a modular bulb that utilizes a patent pending new filament wire fabrication method in a small replaceable light source driven by a ~91 percent efficient power circuit. The highly efficient light source and electronics circuit allows the Tru-Spectrum bulb to rival the energy efficiency of a compact fluorescent (CFL), while providing a pleasing lighting color, no dimming or temperature restriction and no harmful mercury. The Tru-Spectrum bulb will also meet the new efficacy requirements required by the US...

OSHKOSH, WIS.—Mike Fullerton recently joined Continental Girbau, Inc. as national sales manager for the company’s newest division–Girbau Industrial. Fullerton, of Floral City, Fla., will manage North American sales of the Girbau Industrial brand of heavy-duty industrial laundry systems. Holding 27 years of laundry industry experience, Fullerton brings expertise in industrial equipment sales to the Continental Girbau team, according to Joel Jorgensen, vice president of sales and customer services. “Mike boasts a broad laundry industry background and specialization in industrial sales, which made him the perfect fit for this newly created position,” Jorgensen said. “He holds solid experience at both the...

SAN DIEGO—Koni Kim, designer of luxurious fabrics and soft goods for the hospitality industry for more than 30 years and CEO of Koni Corp., has partnered with American of Martinsville to create her first hospitality case goods collection. Selections from the three new collections will be showcased at the upcoming 2009 HD Expo, taking place at the Sands Convention Center in Las Vegas, May 14 to 16. Koni’s collections for American of Martinsville complement a range of design styles and have at their core Koni Kim’s primary inspiration, nature. From hand-chiseled panels reminiscent of mahogany carvings to flowing wood grain...

DALTON, GA.—Healthier Choice Flooring, LLC, manufacturer of premium carpet cushion and acoustical underlayment, will be displaying its unique line of “green” cushions and underlayments designed specifically for the hospitality industry, at HD Expo. Sponsored by Hospitality Design, the expo runs from May 14 through May 16 at the Sands Expo and Convention Center in Las Vegas. Healthier Choice hospitality cushions and acoustical underlayments are made in part with eco-friendly soybean oil, lessening dependence on petrochemicals and reducing global warming emissions. Inclusion of Ultra-Fresh antimicrobial prevents the growth of odor- and stain-causing mold, mildew and bacteria for the life of...

CLEVELAND, OHIO—Hasek Communications, the Cleveland, Ohio-based publisher of Green Lodging News, welcomes Evolve Guest Controls as a Founding Sponsor. Evolve is a wireless room control system designed to save 30 percent or more on a property’s utility costs as well as offering a return on investment in less than two years. Upon entering the guestroom, the guest initiates control of the lighting, heating/cooling, television and draperies by simply inserting the keycard into the wall-mounted Evolve card reader. When guests leave and remove the card, all devices are turned off and the thermostat is adjusted to a “savings” temperature, thereby eliminating...

PHOENIX—On Monday, May 4, Maui Prince Hotel Makena Resort, located in Makena, Hawaii, became the 500th lodging property to complete iStayGreen.org’s online self-audit. The property earned a 3 Green Eco-Leaf Rating. The eco-rating allows the public to know the specific environmental initiatives in place at a property, which enables the environmentally conscious traveler to make informed lodging decisions. Properties complete the comprehensive online self-audit and earn a Green Eco-Leaf Rating ranging from 1 to 5 Green Eco-Leafs with 5 Green Eco-Leafs being the highest level attainable. Ratings are based on environmental initiatives in place at the property. Only nine properties...

HILLSBORO, ORE.—Drury Hotels, a 100 percent family owned and operated mid-scale hotel company, has chosen Caroma, a leader in dual flush toilets, to supply water-saving toilets to seven hotels in the Drury chain, including the Drury Inn and Suites, Pear Tree Inn, and the Drury Plaza. This includes three retrofit projects (one in 2007 and two completed in early 2009) to replace older, higher water usage toilets and four new constructions (one in 2008 and 2009 and two in 2010). Caroma’s first installation with Drury Hotels in 2007 was part of San Antonio Water System’s commercial toilet retrofit program at...

LAS VEGAS—Northland Furniture Co. will introduce the Linea Modulara line of furniture at this year’s HD Expo. Linea Modulara has a clean, sophisticated look and a smart, functional design that makes the traveler’s experience simpler and easier while offering hoteliers a resilient, easy-to-maintain design in an efficient package. “We believe this line breaks new ground, offering innovative solutions never seen in this industry—from improved luggage management to better privacy,” explains Jim Hughes, president & CEO of Northland Furniture. “We have thought about the traveler’s experience coming into the room and staying in the room as well as the hotel...

CHICAGO—Greg Christian, a Chicago native who brought a successful sustainable food program to the Chicago Public School system, is opening a national consulting firm to help restaurateurs, hoteliers, caterers, and all types of food service management achieve sustainability goals that help the community and environment. The new company, Greg Christian Consulting, (GCC), will evaluate and diagnose a company’s current corporate social responsibility and organizational accountability systems and help clients execute long-term sustainable performance. The main focus will be on procurement, environmental and waste management, seasonality, sustainability education, creative vision, and selling and marketing sustainability. Possible outcomes include implementing zero...