CHICAGO—Yes, there was a Green Restaurant Products Pavilion and an Organic & Natural Pavilion but finding other green exhibitors among the more than 2,100 vendors at the National Restaurant Assn. Restaurant Hotel-Motel Show last weekend was more of a challenge. They most definitely were there but one had to look closely to find them. The good news is that those green vendors that were there had some exciting new products to talk about. Here is a list of some of them: EATware International introduced its line of 100 percent biodegradable disposable tableware. Their compostable products are made from corn starches...

Name: Tracy Marks Title: General Manager Hotel: Hilton Portland & Executive Tower Number of years with Hilton: 24 years Work experience prior to current position: “I started working in hotels right out of college. I worked at a Hilton in Washington, D.C. first and since have worked at seven other Hilton properties around the country.” Primary responsibilities: “To manage the hotel while meeting all of Hilton’s service standards, and meeting our owner’s financial expectations.” What he likes most about his work: “The interaction with all of our guests and our team members. I also enjoy being able to contribute...

ATLANTA—With concern for our nation’s environment and conservation of its natural resources on the rise, today’s travelers want a safer, more healthy and sustainable experience while on the road. Now, two hotel chains—America’s Best Inns & Suites and Country Hearth Inns—will feature a green initiative known as EcoRooms with products that are energy efficient, water efficient, waste reducing, and non-toxic and/or biodegradable. The systemwide program was announced by America’s Best Franchising Inc., franchisor of the hotel brands. “EcoRooms are more comfortable for guests and more cost-effective for hotels,” says Doug Collins, chairman and CEO of America’s Best Franchising...

BOSTON—Recognizing Arthur Blank & Co. Inc. as an innovator of environmentally friendly plastic card products, Boston’s Mayor Thomas Menino recently presented the company with the 2007 Boston Green Business Award. Arthur Blank & Co., a leader in plastic credit card marketing solutions, received the award for the introduction of the industry’s first non-PVC, corn-based card, CornCard USA, and a new recycled PVC card, the AB RecycledCard. The Boston Green Product Award is given each year to a company that “produces or distributes a green product.” With the introduction of its Green Line of environmentally friendly products, Arthur Blank...

LAS VEGAS—It was pretty easy to determine what vendors were selling green products at this year’s HD 2007 Expo and Conference. A separate vendor directory was created for them and green, circular markers sat within each participating exhibitor’s booth. A separate Green Room on the show floor also featured environmentally friendly products. Vendors had to pony up additional funds to have a presence there. There is no possible way to mention every company that introduced a green product at this year’s show but here are some noteworthy examples: Simmons Hospitality Group announced its EverNU mattress top to help hotels get the...

NEW YORK—Leonardo Media, an international leader in providing e-marketing solutions for the travel and hospitality industries, announced that The Leading Hotels of the World, Ltd. Leading Spas collection directory is now available online as a digital eBook. Using the original artwork from the printed version, Leonardo created an exact replica of the 120-page directory into a dynamic and eye-catching electronic format—complete with links to the Leading Spas website and page zoom functionality that provides online viewers with the feeling that they are reading a printed brochure. “It is tremendous to expand our relationship with The Leading Hotels...

BOSTON—The award-winning Seaport Hotel recently installed a BioX system, a high-volume organic waste decomposition unit that eliminates organic waste naturally. The system, the first operational unit of its kind in New England, will reduce the amount of trash and recyclables Seaport hauls away, resulting in a cleaner environment. The BioX, sold by Action Comax Environmental Inc., Newark, N.J., consists of a stainless steel unit that is odorless, energy efficient and that runs automatically and quietly in the hotel kitchen. The system breaks down hundreds of pounds of food waste per day from Aura Restaurant & Bar, the Bakery...

DANVERS, MASS.— Osram Sylvania announced the company’s Global Care sustainability initiative. The program represents the company’s commitment to social and environmental responsibility. “Global Care will drive positive results to the triple bottom line addressing social, economic and environmental needs,” says Charlie Jerabek, Osram Sylvania president and CEO. “This initiative represents our dedication to meeting customers’ lighting needs with a sustainable approach to product design, development, manufacturing and distribution.” Global Care is the latest milestone in Osram Sylvania’s long history of environmental achievement. A five-time Energy Star Award winner, the company recently celebrated the 10-year anniversary of its...

LOS ANGELES—Bentley Prince Street has taken another step in its Mission Zero sustainability commitment through a unique partnership with the Asset Network for Education Worldwide (ANEW) Foundation, a charitable 501 (c)(3) organization that collects and repurposes surplus furniture, fixtures and equipment for groups in need. Their goal? Create a program that unites environmental sustainability with social responsibility—keeping carpet out of overflowing landfills while, at the same time, helping community learning programs that can benefit from repurposed carpet. Through this partnership, Bentley Prince Street will work with ANEW to identify and assess surplus carpet—carpet that for one reason or...

GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK—Xanterra South Rim, L.L.C., operator of lodges, restaurants and activities at the South Rim in Grand Canyon National Park, has joined Arizona Performance Track. The program is a voluntary partnership between the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ), businesses and other regulated entities that recognizes and rewards environmental leadership for going above and beyond the minimum requirements of the law. According to ADEQ, Xanterra South Rim was selected to join Arizona Performance Track for reducing water usage, solid waste sent to landfills, greenhouse gas emissions, as well as increasing the amount of recycled content in...