Arizona’s The Lodging Conference to Feature Two Green Sessions

PHOENIX—The Lodging Conference 2008, which will be held September 23 to 26 at the Arizona Biltmore Resort and Spa in Phoenix, will have a touch of green this year. Two think tank sessions, each with a green theme, are scheduled during the 14th annual event. The first session, Eco-friendly Design Concepts and Product Trends, will be moderated by Julia Monk, partner with Brennan Beer Gorman Monk/Interiors. The second session, Green Hotels Workshop: Initiatives That Save Money and Conserve Resources, will be moderated by Glenn Hasek, publisher and editor of Green Lodging News.

> 85 Percent Surveyed Prefer Smoke-Free Indian Casinos in S. California

WESTLAKE VILLAGE, CALIF.—A large majority—85 percent—of gaming customers at Indian casinos in Southern California report that they would prefer a smoke-free environment in these casinos, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2008 Southern California Indian Gaming Casino Satisfaction Study. The inaugural study measures overall customer satisfaction based on performance in five key measures (listed in order of importance): gaming (33 percent), facility (27 percent), cage cashier/ticket redemption machine (17 percent), arriving/parking (15 percent), and beverage service (9 percent).

> Convention Center in Atlantic City to Have Large Roof-Mounted Solar Array

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J.—The Atlantic City Convention & Visitors Authority (ACCVA) announced that it has awarded Pepco Energy Services, a subsidiary of Pepco Holdings, Inc., a 20-year power purchase agreement with the Atlantic City Convention Center (ACCC) to install the largest single roof-mounted solar array in the United States. Under the 20-year contract, Pepco Energy Services will build, own, operate and maintain the 2.36-megawatt solar array for the Atlantic City Convention Center. Construction began last month and will be completed by December 31, 2008. The Convention Center is operated by the management company SMG.

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Watt Stopper/Legrand Retools Sensors for RoHS Compliance
SANTA CLARA, CALIF.—Watt Stopper/Legrand announces the launch of RoHS-compliant occupancy sensors as part of the company’s ongoing commitment to the environment. Specifiers, building owners and contractors who select these lighting controls can be assured that they are helping reduce the amount of hazardous waste that will enter the environment.
Maria Yee Celebrates First Shipment of FSC-Certified Products
SANTA CRUZ, CALIF.—Environmentally-conscious furniture design company Maria Yee, Inc. marked its first shipment of select products made with 100 percent Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified hardwood last month. The FSC is an international organization that promotes responsible forest management.
GLN Welcomes American Window Film as Directory Partner
CLEVELAND, OHIO—Green Lodging News welcomes American Window Film as a Green Product & Service Directory partner. American Window Film, Inc., a 3M Authorized Window Film Dealer serving 50 states, offers window films that meet Energy Star and LEED energy efficiency and sustainability guidelines.

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Independence Day in the United States is certainly a holiday worth celebrating. I hope my U.S. readers found time to celebrate it with their families and friends—and guests. I will never forget the excitement in our country back in 1976 during the Bicentennial. The celebration went on for months. Gasoline at that time was priced at a little more than a dollar a gallon. Even at that price, a large crowd of people gathered in Boston and threw packages labeled “Gulf Oil” and “Exxon” into Boston Harbor—kind of like the Boston Tea Party all over again, but not as effective.

I have been thinking about the United States’ independence this past week. From an energy perspective, the country is far from independent.

The United States imports almost 70 percent of its oil from other countries—places like Saudi Arabia where, prior to this year, women were not allowed to enter hotels without a chaperone. Where freedom of speech and the press are restricted for everyone.

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FRESH Fabrics: 100 Percent Recylable!

FRESH fabrics are made from 100 percent recycled polyester and are also 100 percent recyclable. We have an established reclamation program to facilitate the recycling of FRESH textiles. This recycling effort will literally save millions of pounds of what hotels use to consider “trash” from going into a landfill annually. Call (800) 223-7979.

More Information:
Valley Forge Fabrics Inc.

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Time Equities Boutique Project in NYC to Pursue LEED Gold

NEW YORK—New York-based developer Time Equities, Inc. hosted a groundbreaking event on June 23 to celebrate Lower Manhattan’s iconic hotel and residential skyscraper, 50 West Street. More than 100 guests, including politicians, community officials and project partners, joined Time Equities to break ground on the site of the 65-story tower.

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GLM Names Lynn White as Show Manager of IH/M&RS

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.—GLM, a dmg world media business, has named Lynn White, a 27-year tradeshow industry veteran, as show manager of the International Hotel/Motel & Restaurant Show (IH/M&RS). As show manager, White will be responsible for day-to-day direction of the annual hospitality industry tradeshow.

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How to Become a Green Traveler

Today’s business and leisure travelers face numerous opportunities every day to immediately reduce their negative impact on the environment. All we have to do is empower ourselves and to each take personal responsibility for the personal carbon footprints we create during our travels. Here are some tips that I hope you will live by and share.

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