NATIONAL REPORT—The economic disruption of COVID-19 may have largely come and gone, but not every sector has been able to quickly bounce back. This is particularly true for the SMBs (small to medium-sized businesses) in the hospitality sector like restaurants and hotels, which operate on tight margins—even in the best of times—and continue to face mounting costs, especially from labor, food, and energy. At the same time, these businesses are increasingly on the receiving end of consumer and stakeholder pressure to balance sustainability with profitability. The changing hospitality landscape has led many businesses to undergo sweeping efficiency projects, from adopting...

MCLEAN, VA.—Hilton, a leading hospitality company, and the Hilton Global Foundation, Hilton’s philanthropic arm, announced the latest progress towards their shared goal of creating a better world for travel with the release of the 2023 Hilton Global Foundation Impact Report and the 2023 Hilton Travel with Purpose Report. Hilton’s Travel with Purpose Report outlines the hospitality leader’s progress towards its Travel with Purpose environmental, social and governance (ESG) strategy to drive responsible travel globally. Travel with Purpose outlines Hilton’s 2030 energy, water, and waste reduction targets as well as community engagement and governance goals. Through carbon reduction targets validated by the Science Based Targets initiative and...

TROY, OHIO—Hobart has introduced its new CL conveyor type commercial dishwasher series with features designed to save time and money and simplify operation. The series has been awarded the 2024 Kitchen Innovations (KI) Award from the National Restaurant Show (NRA) due to its cutting-edge technology. “We are honored to be recognized by NRA for this innovation in commercial dishwashing equipment and are thrilled to introduce our latest innovation in high-volume washing technology,” said Jaehan Kim, Product Manager for Hobart Warewash. “With simplified and improved cleaning and maintenance features, the CL offers unmatched performance, efficiency, and reliability. Whether our customers are...

LONDON—Pentair, a leader in helping the world sustainably move, improve, and enjoy water, announced it has received the 2024 Energy Star Partner of the Year – Sustained Excellence Award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Energy. This is the twelfth consecutive year Pentair has received this award. “Pentair strives to create a better world for people and the planet through smart, sustainable water solutions that improve energy and water efficiency and improve customer outcomes,” said Karla Robertson, EVP, General Counsel, Secretary and Chief Social Responsibility Officer. “We are proud to provide our customers with energy-efficient...

The commercial aquatics industry is undergoing a significant transformation driven by technological advancements, high-priority sustainability initiatives and a new focus on holistic approaches to water management. These shifts are reshaping how hotels, resorts, fitness centers and other commercial facilities manage and maintain their pools and water amenities, with an emphasis on heightened efficiency, environmental friendliness and guest safety. Sustainability as a Priority Sustainability has emerged as a paramount concern for hospitality properties, prompting increased interest in water management solutions that help reduce chemical, water and energy usage. While investing in sustainable practices is the right thing to do for environmental preservation, it...

LAS VEGAS—MGM Resorts International announced that it has partnered with the Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA) to incentivize residential water conservation for its more than 50,000 employees in Southern Nevada. Through a $500,000 grant to the SNWA Water Efficiency Improvement Fund, MGM Resorts employees will earn additional rebates when they take advantage of existing SNWA water savings programs that target residential water conservation. “In light of my pledge to the CEO Water Mandate and commitments to water stewardship in the community, I’m proud to announce a half-million-dollar grant that will educate and empower our employees to make a meaningful impact on water conservation,”...

BERLIN—BeCause, a technology start-up transforming how the global hospitality, travel and tourism industries manage its sustainability data, has digitized the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance’s (the Alliance) HCMI and HWMI methodologies. The new feature, announced during ITB Berlin, will enable hotels to leverage the Alliance’s free industry measurement tools, the Hotel Carbon Measurement Initiative (HCMI) and Hotel Water Measurement Initiative (HWMI). The HCMI, based on the Greenhouse Gas Protocol, is used to calculate a hotel’s carbon footprint, while the HWMI helps hotels calculate water usage on their properties; both are now available within the BeCause centralized hub. HCMI, the only industry-recognized carbon calculation methodology for over a decade, applies...

LAS VEGAS—MGM Resorts International has been recognized for leadership in corporate transparency and performance on climate change by global environmental non-profit CDP, securing a place on the organization’s annual A List. MGM Resorts is one of just 347 companies that received the prestigious “A,” out of more than 23,000 scored, placing it in the top 0.015 percent of reporting companies. Grades are awarded on comprehensiveness of disclosure, awareness and management of environmental risk and best practices associated with environmental leadership. “Our inclusion on the CDP A List is a testament to the strategic importance we place on sustainability,” said Jyoti Chopra, Chief People,...

OJAI, CALIF.—Ojai Valley Inn announced that it is in the inaugural class of resorts to achieve the Responsible Hospitality VERIFIED designation, an industry-leading sustainability standard for luxury hospitality. Responsible Hospitality is recognized by Forbes Travel Guide, the global authority on hospitality excellence, as the official sustainability verification for its community of Star-Rated hotels in more than 80 countries. The comprehensive assessment verifies hotels on best practices to protect the environment and support the well-being of employees, guests, and the community—creating a global standard for the world’s finest hotels and a trusted third-party verification for guests. Designed in partnership with highly respected hotelier Hervé...

MOUNTAIN VIEW, CALIF.—Auto-Chlor, a national leader in the production, installation, and service of energy-saving dishwashers, now offers the A6 EnergySaver Dish Machine in its line of high-efficiency machines. The A6 Dish Machine offers dual-mode sanitizing and a high-speed 45-second wash cycle, cleaning and sanitizing up to 72 racks per hour. Because of its water-efficient technology, the A6 dishwasher is NSF-rated, using as little as 0.69 gallons of water per wash cycle. The A6 machine is available in 208 or 204-volt and single or three-phase power options. The machine features integrated controls and pumps, cutting the need to mount chemical feeders...