SAN CARLOS, CALIF.—Wynd Technologies, Inc., a California-based maker of proprietary AI-powered indoor air monitoring and purification technologies, announced the launch of Sentry, its latest proprietary indoor environment sensor and the only monitor of its kind that can reliably detect cigarette and marijuana smoke, vape usage and excessive noise. Sentry’s groundbreaking features afford property owners peace of mind by acting as a deterrent to unwanted smoking and disturbances, providing evidence for damage claims and assuring guests that they are staying in a verifiably smoke-free property. Sentry’s airID smoke speciation technology sends alerts to property owners’ smartphones about unwanted smoking, while Sentry’s noise...

For years the EPA has been relaying evidence that indoor air can be more seriously polluted than outdoor air even in the largest and most industrialized cities. Given that people spend approximately 90 percent of their time indoors, that is not a good thing—especially for the young, the elderly and the chronically ill. These groups often spend time in your hotels. With the coming of COVID-19 and its many related variants, air quality (and surface quality) has finally got the attention it deserves, says Randy Mount, Owner & CEO of Extreme Microbial Technologies, who I spoke with for this column....

NEW YORK—The Javits Center announced the creation of Jacob’s Harvest, a new line of pickled produce from the convention center’s new one-acre rooftop farm. The bottled produce is harvested directly from the rooftop farm—which was completed last year as part of a 1.2 million square-foot expansion—and will be distributed to customers and visitors to raise awareness about the venue’s roof-to-table culinary program. Managed by urban farming company Brooklyn Grange, the rooftop farm is in its first full season and is expected to generate up to 40,000 pounds of annual produce. From arugula to zucchini, the various crops being grown...

EAST LONGMEADOW, MASS.—Excel Dryer, Inc., manufacturer of the XLERATOR Hand Dryer, announced that Sybil Jandette has joined its growing team as New Business Development Manager, Latin America. A current resident of Mexico with extensive experience in supply chain management for manufacturers in Latin America and China, Jandette will be responsible for developing Excel Dryer’s strategy and growth in the Latin American market. “Sybil brings her own unique experience working in the Latin American market to Excel Dryer, and we are so excited that she will be able to share her knowledge as a trusted member of our team,” said William Gagnon, Vice President of...

NASHVILLE, TENN.—1 Hotels, the sustainable luxury lifestyle hotel brand founded by hospitality visionary Barry Sternlicht, announced the opening of 1 Hotel Nashville, the famed musical and cultural hub’s most consciously cultivated urban oasis and the 8th hotel in the global fleet. Nestled in the heart of downtown Nashville, directly across from the Music City Center and within walking distance of the Country Music Hall of Fame, the property’s 215 rooms and 37 suites include expansive city and skyline views. A verdant ivy-covered façade and native landscaping evoke nearby natural attractions, from the bustle of the Cumberland River to the Smoky Mountains and the Natchez Trace. “With the...

STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN—A study from the University of California, Davis, reveals that microplastics can carry land-based pathogens to the oceans, posing a threat to the health of humans and wildlife alike. Bluewater, a world-leading innovator of water purification solutions designed to end the need for single-use plastic bottles, said the study’s findings highlighted the need to celebrate, protect and restore our planet. A UC Davis press release said the study by a team of its university researchers had indicated that, by hitchhiking on microplastics, pathogens can disperse throughout the ocean, reaching places a land parasite wouldn’t be found usually. The study, published in the Scientific Reports journal,...

NATIONAL REPORT—An American Hotel & Lodging Association survey showed that 97 percent of respondents were experiencing a staffing shortage. The most critical staffing need is housekeeping, with 58 percent ranking it as their biggest challenge. Just about everything to do with housekeeping needs a do over, with its reputation for low pay, exposure to chemicals and a high rate of injuries due to repetitive tasks. Several companies have come up with solutions for one of the most back-hurting tasks of a housekeeper—the lifting of the mattress. According to Yonatan Guy, CEO of Beddingo, a housekeeper typically changes 20 to 25...

STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN—Independently verified research by Swedish clean drinking water innovator Bluewater has verified the efficiency of its water purifier technology at removing up to 99.99 percent of health threatening microplastics and chemicals such as toxic PFAS from tap water. Two studies were instigated by Bluewater at its research lab in the Royal Institute of Technology (KTH) after it became alarmed about the growing number of scientists reporting finding microplastics in humans and especially small children and infants. In late March 2022, researchers at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam reported finding microplastics in the blood samples of 22 anonymous donors. Three-quarters of the test subjects appeared...

DENVER—The Wellness Tourism Association (WTA) has announced that two individuals have been selected to receive the organization’s first Leading Light Award. The award was launched earlier this year to honor companies or individuals who had successfully launched and implemented a wellness project/initiative that upholds and furthers the principles of the association's mission, “to shape and support sustainable wellness tourism for the global good.” The WTA Board of Directors reviewed the list of a dozen nominees and selected Ms. Refica Attwood, Founder and Executive Director of Wallings Nature Reserve in Antigua & Barbuda and Mr. I Nyoman Yastama, Spa & Wellness...

NAPA VALLEY, CALIF.—Stanly Ranch, Auberge Resorts Collection opened recently on 712 acres of vineyards and ranch land. Linked to hundreds of miles of biking trails, with incredible natural scenery, Stanly Ranch, Auberge Resorts Collection enables active engagement with the land, invigorating culinary moments, and the discovery of local artisans and exclusive wines, while unearthing the full potential of every guest through immersive wellbeing. A short 50-minute drive from the Bay Area, the hills of Stanly Ranch, Auberge Resorts Collection are framed by 2.5 miles of Napa River frontage adjacent to the San Pablo Bay Estuary. Founded in 1856 by Judge Edward...