Meeting News - May 5, 2008 - (Page 12)

Hotels & Resorts Green Giant: Marriott Makes Big Eco-Pledge Bethesda, MD—Marriott International has made a major, fivepronged commitment to the green movement. The hotelier last month took steps aimed at addressing the plan’s first area: carbon offsets. It signed an agreement with the state of Amazonas, in Brazil, to help protect 1.4 million acres of endangered rain forest. The company pledged to contribute $2 million to the newly created Amazonas Sustainable Foundation and to announce a way for guests—including groups— to contribute to the fund to offset greenhouse gas emissions and a green meetings program later this month. The other four portions of Marriott’s plan are to reduce water, waste, and energy consumption; green its supply chain; build greener hotels; and engage employees and guests to take action. “The future of business is green,” said Arne Sorenson, CFO and cochair of Marriott’s Green Council. Added Stephanie Hampton, senior director of corporate public relations, “Our customers expect this now, and meeting planners are asking more about greening their meetings.” Marriott promised to cut down on fuel and water consumption by 25 percent per available room over the Edited by Rayna Katz rayna.katz@nielsen.com Crowne Plaza Raises: Firm Wagers Money On Agrees to protect Brazilian rainforest, cut down waste, green supply chain, meet LEED Asian-Themed Hotel Off the Strip in Vegas Las Vegas—Crowne Plaza has announced plans to build a 386room hotel here that will open in 2010. The Asian-themed property will have 16,000 sf of meeting space, a casino, three restaurants, three lounges, a spa, retail, and an outdoor swimming pool. The hotel will be located off the Strip, on the edge of Chinatown— the reason behind the Asian theme. Additionally, authentic dim sum will be available in the hotel’s buffet, and there are plans for both a sushi bar and a Chinese restaurant. The hotel’s owner also expects some participating retailers to be of Asian influence, although nothing is finalized yet, according to a spokeswoman. Complimentary wired and wireless Internet access will be available throughout the hotel. Bill Marriot and Amazonas officials shake on it at an Amazona exhibit on display at the National Zoo, in Washington, DC. next 10 years, and install solar power at up to 40 hotels by 2017. Also, it will expand existing “reduce, reuse, recycle” programs at 90 percent of its hotels, starting in Boston, Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, and Washington, DC. A big difference also will be made among Marriott’s suppliers, as the company has asked its top 40 vendors to supply price-neutral greener products to its $10-billion supply chain. Pens, paint, towels, and numerous other items will be more earth-friendly. Also under consideration are compostable key cards, recyclable carpet, and more responsibly packaged soaps and shampoos. By the end of 2009, hotel design guidelines will be in line with the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), and Marriott plans to receive LEED-Existing Building status for its headquarters. Lastly, Marriott plans to encourage employees and guests to take earth-friendly actions daily. New Vegas hotel has Asian feel. Gaylord Backs Out Of Westin La Cantera Deal San Antonio,TX—Four months after Gaylord Entertainment announced its acquisition of the Westin La Cantera Resort, the company terminated the ownership agreement, according to Tradeshow Week. Gaylord Chairman and CEO Colin Reed blamed the project’s demise on bad conditions of both the capital markets and 12 MeetingNews May 5, 2008 the overall economy. The pullout marks the second such move recently by Gaylord; it bailed out of a San Diego project in 2007. Negotiations on that hotel resumed but no announcements have been made about its fate. Watch for more on the future of Westin La Cantera and Gaylord’s presence in Texas in an upcoming issue of MeetingNews. Two New Waldorf=Astorias As Hilton Spreads the Brand Beverly Hills, CA—Hilton Hotels is making good on its promise to bring the Waldorf=Astoria brand to markets outside of New York City. A new Waldorf will arrive at Park City, UT, in 2009, and another in Sarasota, FL, by the end of 2010. In Park City, the Dakota Mountain Lodge, a Waldorf=Astoria Collection hotel, will bring 334 rooms, 22,100 sf of meeting space, a 20,000-sf Golden Door Spa, and a 5,000-sf restaurant and lounge to the ski resort area. The 225-room property in Sarasota will be part of the Proscenium, a 130,000-sf retail, restaurant, and entertainment complex. It will have 38,000 sf of meeting space, the brand’s iconic Peacock Alley Lounge, a 12,000-sf spa, and a rooftop pool. H www.meetingnews.com http://www.meetingnews.com

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