Sustainable Fabrics Now Easy to Find for Hospitality Applications

NATIONAL REPORT—For those who specify and/or purchase fabric for items such as furniture and draperies, options that include recycled content have been around for a long time. Over the last year, however, fabric suppliers have increased the number of “green” options they offer. Today, it is easy to find polyester fabric made from yarn derived from recycled plastic bottles. Sustainable fabric made from natural fibers is also quite common. While the price point for some sustainable fabrics can be higher, some vendors are able to offer sustainable lines at the same price as traditional fabrics because of the high volume of yarn that they purchase.

> New ASHRAE Report Provides Roadmap for Energy Policy, Strategies

ATLANTA—As the federal government prepares for the presidential transition in January, it will face challenges in dealing with increasingly complex issues and new directives from the Obama administration and the new Congress, especially concerning energy issues. A new report from the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) provides a potential roadmap for addressing the nation’s dependence on foreign energy sources and its greenhouse gas emissions while growing the economy. “Buildings are often overlooked as an opportunity to reduce energy consumption and offer an excellent opportunity to achieve national energy goals,” says ASHRAE president Bill Harrison. Buildings are responsible for 40 percent of the United States’ energy consumption.

> Missouri Hotel & Lodging Assn. Launches Certification Program

JEFFERSON CITY, MO.—The Missouri Hotel and Lodging Assn. has developed a program to certify hotels and other lodging establishments that use sustainable and green business practices. The Certified Green program and its website—www.lodgingmissouri.com—launched on January 1. Missouri's Green Lodging Certification is a pilot project of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources that will be conducted in cooperation with the association to recognize those lodgings that go beyond existing state and federal regulations to insure that their operations have a minimal environmental impact on their local communities.

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Comfort Inn in Butte, Mont., Installs Lodging Technology’s GEM System
ROANOKE, VA.—The Comfort Inn, Butte Montana, which is managed by Town Pump, Inc., has installed Lodging Technology’s GEM System Energy Management in all 145 guestrooms. GEM System, an infrared sensor-based guestroom energy management system, reduces room energy costs 35 percent to 45 percent by maintaining “management-preferred” temperatures in rooms while guests are out.
MTS Seating Promotes Bart Kulish to President
TEMPERANCE, MICH.—MTS, a leading manufacturer of premium seating for the hospitality industry, announced that Bart Kulish has been named president of the company. Kulish, who joined the company in 1985, most recently served as vice president and general manager.
Hygiena Introduces SystemSURE Plus Cleaning Verification System
CAMARILLO, CALIF.—Hygiena introduces SystemSURE Plus, a convenient system that hotel management and staff can use to regularly verify the thoroughness of cleaning performed throughout the hotel. Hotels around the world are using the SystemSURE Plus to monitor food preparation surfaces in kitchens on a daily basis.

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Late in 2008, Ernst & Young released a report entitled, “Hospitality Going Green.” I strongly recommend reading through the 16-page document. (A link to it appears at the end of this column.) The report explores some of the major trends and programs initiated around the world to encourage industry participation in sustainability efforts.

“Hotel companies are increasingly encouraging environmentally friendly practices and embracing sustainability through both developmental and operational strategies,” the report says. “With initiatives such as education programs, reforestation programs, eco-resorts, the implementation of energy-efficient practices, and the development of buildings that comply with government-defined standards, the ‘greening’ of the industry is a trend that is here to stay.”

The report says that hotel companies are being prompted to go green by rising energy costs, government pressure, consumer expectations and the competitive landscape.

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Hotel Amenities at Their Greenest

Your part is simple…Save Your World amenities in 1 ROOM FOR 1 NIGHT provides assurance there will be 1 ACRE OF RAINFOREST SAVED FOR 1 YEAR. Save Your World amenities are all-natural and are packaged with recycled/recyclable materials, reducing after-use waste by 92 percent. Call (734) 730-5649 for more information.

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Hyatt to Open Its First U.S. Andaz Hotel in West Hollywood

CHICAGO—Hyatt Hotels & Resorts has announced the January 2009 launch of its second property under its new brand, Andaz. Located on Los Angeles’ Sunset Strip—the site of the Hyatt West Hollywood—Andaz West Hollywood will reflect the cosmopolitan feel of its surrounding neighborhood while showcasing the brand’s friendly and caring service, relaxed ambience and vibrant social spaces.

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Michael Maguire Named Executive Chef at Gayana Eco Resort

KOTA KINABALU, MALAYSIA—Gayana Eco Resort, Borneo Malaysia announces the appointment of Michael Maguire as executive chef. Michael joins the team from New Zealand where he has successfully led a number of luxury boutique resort properties’ culinary teams. Michael brings a wealth of international experience with him.

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Go Green from the Ground Up with Insulated Concrete Forms

By going green from the ground up with Insulated Concrete Forms (ICF) construction, hotel owners and operators have the potential to increase their properties’ customer base and provide a good return on investment. One property of such construction is the Best Western Burlington Inn in Burlington, Ontario, Canada, built in 2003.

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