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...

NIANTIC, CONN.—The luxurious Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort and Spa at Gainey Ranch in Scottsdale, Ariz., has made the INNCOM Energy Management System (EMS) a key component of an extensive renovation project—a component which, thanks to a local energy rebate program, is even further ahead of schedule in paying for itself. Niantic-based INNCOM is a global leader in developing, manufacturing and marketing advanced guestroom control systems for the international hospitality industry. The Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort and Spa, which among many other features includes 492 spacious guestrooms, 70,000 square feet of indoor/outdoor meeting space and 27 holes of championship golf, is...

MEMPHIS, TENN.—Home2 Suites by Hilton, Hilton’s new mid-tier extended-stay hotel concept, is utilizing state-of-the-art post-consumer recycled content carpeting by InterfaceFLOR, the largest modular carpet tile manufacturer in the world, to outfit its model prototype at the Memphis, Tenn. headquarters. The “Hip and Humble” brand intends to outfit each new location with a variety of eco-friendly design elements and flooring is one spotlighted area. “Home2 Suites is a brand that focuses on marrying style and value while remaining conscious of our environmental impact,” said Bill Duncan, global head, Brand Management. “InterfaceFLOR shares our commitment and has an excellent reputation for providing...

CLEVELAND, OHIO—Hasek Communications, the Cleveland, Ohio-based publisher of Green Lodging News, welcomes Mountain Woods Furniture as a Green Product & Service Directory Partner. Mountain Woods Furniture, a founding member of the Sustainable Furniture Council, has been committed to green manufacturing since 1991. The company offers a wide selection of American-made, unique log furniture and reclaimed wood designs. Custom pieces to the customer’s specifications are also available. Mountain Woods Furniture’s bedroom furniture was selected for Mountain Living Magazine’s 2008 Natural Dream Home. For additional information, call (970) 221-1041, e-mail dee@mountainwoodsfurniture.com, or go to www.mountainwoodsfurniture.com.

RAMONA INDIAN RESERVATION, CALIF.—Catalyx, Inc. has been contracted to be the technology provider and will team with the Ramona Band of the Cahuilla Indian Tribe to develop the Tribe’s Ecotourism resort near Anza, Calif. The first of its kind, the Ramona Band of Cahuilla Mission Native Americans’ resort is designed as a 100 percent off-grid renewable energy project that will employ multiple alternative energy technologies to meet 100 percent of its energy needs. The resort will also recycle much of its own waste by-products, such as sewage, biogas, and restaurant food waste. The resort, funded jointly by the Ramona...