LAS VEGAS—Las Vegas Sands Corp., a leading international developer of multi-use integrated resorts, has launched its Sands Eco 360° Global Sustainable Development program. The program’s launch was highlighted by an announcement that the company’s Venetian Resort and Sands Expo and Convention Center in Las Vegas have achieved LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) for Existing Buildings Gold as part of the U.S. Green Building Council’s building certification program. The combined Venetian, Sands Expo, and Palazzo Las Vegas, which in 2008 received LEED for New Construction Silver certification, now comprise the largest LEED building in the world. “The launch of Sands Eco 360° demonstrates our commitment to sustainable development and operations,” said Michael Leven, president and chief operating officer of Las Vegas Sands Corp.

COPENHAGEN—InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) has opened its first hotel in Denmark with the Crowne Plaza Copenhagen Towers. The 366-room Crowne Plaza Copenhagen Towers stands 85 meters tall and offers views of the entire Oeresund region. The Crowne Plaza Copenhagen Towers is one of the world’s greenest hotels with EU Green Building and Green Key certification. The hotel is a member of the U.N. Global Compact. The hotel building is on a journey to becoming carbon neutral. Environmentally responsible technology is used throughout the hotel, including the first groundwater-based cooling and heating system in Denmark, expected to reduce the energy used in the hotel for heating and cooling by almost 90 percent, as well as low energy lighting and hand dryers. The largest solar panel park in Northern Europe is integrated into the building, covering all the hotel’s sunny facades.

ROANOKE, VA.—The Clarion Inn, Pigeon Forge (Tenn.) has installed Lodging Technology’s GEM System Energy Management, GEM Stat Digital Thermostats, and Guest-In-Room Detector in all (94) guestrooms. The system is connected to the property’s General Electric vertical PTAC units in the guestrooms, and is using a switch on the balcony/patio doors to prevent cooling and heating if the doors are left open.

VANCOUVER, B.C.—The Vancouver Convention Centre announced that its iconic West building, opened in April 2009, has been awarded LEED Platinum certification for new construction by the Canada Green Building Council. Platinum is the highest level of LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification. “The Vancouver Convention Centre is the only convention centre in the world to receive the highest level of LEED certification,” says Kevin Krueger, Minister of Tourism, Culture and the Arts. “Not only is the expanded Vancouver Convention Centre bringing economic benefits to the province and the tourism industry, but it’s a model of sustainability that will set a new standard.” Vancouver Convention Centre’s sustainable design features include a six-acre “living” roof, the largest living roof in Canada and the largest non-industrial living roof in North America.

KAANAPALI NORTH BEACH, MAUI—The newest full service hotel development on Kaanapali Beach, the Honua Kai Resort & Spa, has unveiled details of its comprehensive sustainability program—in line with the traditional Hawaiian concept of “malama aina,” (caring for the land). Honua Kai’ practices begin with the ocean, protect the surrounding beach, and extend to every room at the property. Honua Kai, which opened in January 2009, has its own director of sustainability, Lance Gilliland. “We call it ‘Eco-nomics,’—practices that are ecologically sound and economically feasible,” Gilliland says. “It just makes sense to conserve energy.”

YOUNTVILLE, CALIF.—Bardessono has just received the highest level of official recognition possible for its sustainable and environmentally friendly design. The hotel has been awarded LEED Platinum certification, an achievement reached by only two other hotels in the world, on the first anniversary of its opening. Phil Sherburne built Bardessono with the intention of creating a hotel that provides guests with a luxurious experience while simultaneously protecting the environment. “I believe it is critical for the development community to be a leader in the effort to preserve a healthy planet,” Sherburne says. “We can’t just continue to talk about environmental problems, we have to begin to act. I hope we have provided an example from which others can benefit.” The hotel’s design, construction and operation followed guidelines of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System.

WILMINGTON, DEL.—American Hometec, Inc. introduces its patented coilless technology for electric tankless water heaters. American Hometec’s innovative coilless technology heats water indirectly with a patented space industry quality quartz tube technology with a semi-conductor coating for increased efficiency and water conservation.

CLEVELAND, OHIO—Hasek Communications, the Cleveland, Ohio-based publisher of Green Lodging News, welcomes ClearEdge Power as a Green Product & Service Directory partner. With facilities in California and Oregon, ClearEdge Power is a privately held technology company leading the way for smarter, cleaner on-site energy systems focused on commercial, institutional and residential buildings.

SEDONA, ARIZ.—Sedona’s Kings Ransom Inn recently launched Green Suites International’s “EcoRoom Accommodation Program,” converting each of its 53 guestrooms into healthier, more environmental “EcoRooms.” The guestrooms will now feature more than a dozen environmental products. Kings Ransom Inn has also received a 4-leaf rating as part of the Green Suites Green Hotel Certification Program.

CLEVELAND, OHIO—Hasek Communications, the Cleveland, Ohio-based publisher of Green Lodging News, welcomes Energy Eye as a Founding Sponsor. Founded in 2001, Energy Eye’s HVAC energy management systems have been successfully used to control all types of heating and air-conditioning systems—driving immediate, day one cash-flow positive investments to hoteliers worldwide.