Scholarship, Education and Sustainable Hospitality - NEWH - NEWH Sustainable Hospitality Forum & Tradeshow Page - Scholarship, Education and Sustainable Hospitality

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Review Highlights of the Sustainable Hospitality Conference and Tradeshow in Washington, D.C., December 9, 2011

Stay tuned for future Sustainable Hospitality events

Major hotel brands represented at not-for-profit launch event

Washington, D.C.— Sustainability innovators from Choice Hotels International, Hilton Worldwide, Marriott International, and Montage Hotels & Resorts will gather to discuss LEED for Hospitality on December 9, 2011, at the inaugural NEWH Sustainable Hospitality Conference and Tradeshow. To be held at the Capital Hilton Hotel, the one-day event will bring together interior designers, architects, hoteliers, operations executives, and sustainable product manufacturers to explore new ideas, products, and technology for greening hospitality. A complimentary buffet luncheon and a closing cocktail social will be held in the exhibit hall to promote networking and interaction.

Sponsored by the not-for-profit NEWH The Hospitality Industry Network (www.NEWH.org) and NEWH Sustainable Hospitality, the event features accredited education on state-of-the-art LEED standards for hospitality, and emerging directions in biophilia and healthy buildings. Speakers include: Penny Bonda, FASID, LEED AP ID+C, partner, Ecoimpact; Randy Gaines, Vice President of Engineering operations for the Americas, Hilton Worldwide; Donald Griner, AIA, LEED AP, senior director design and innovation, Choice Hotels International; Judith Heerwagen, program expert, U.S. General Services, Office of Federal High Performance Green Buildings; Mark Slymen, director of sustainability, Montage Hotels & Resorts; Linda Sorrento, FASID, IIDA, LEED AP BD+C, principal, sustainable practice, Sorrento Consulting; Jefferson Thomas, AIA, PMP, LEED AP, senior design manager, Marriott International; Cliff Tuttle, ASID, LEED AP, senior vice president, ForrestPerkins; and Kal Wellman, LEED associate, U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).

The NEWH Sustainable Hospitality Conference and Tradeshow is open to all hospitality professionals by registration, and sustainable product companies by exhibiting. Limited booth space is available, contacting Jena Seibel . For registration details, please visit www.NEWH.org, or call 800.593.NEWH. Media Contact: . Sponsorship Opportunities: .

9 Featured Speakers

	Penny Bonda, FASID, LEED AP ID+C Penny works in the fields of environmental consulting and communications and is a prominent writer and lecturer. She has been an active participant in the green ... More about Penny Bonda Penny Bonda, FASID, LEED AP ID+C Penny works in the fields of environmental consulting and communications and is a prominent writer and lecturer. She has been an active participant in the green building industry since its early stages and has pioneered the development of many of the accepted practices and recognized standards that have defined the sustainability movement. Popularly referred to as the “mother of green interiors,” she is the founding chair of the US Green Building Council committee for LEED Commercial Interiors rating system. Her published works include Sustainability Matters, written with the General Services Administration, the highly regarded Sustainable Commercial Interiors (Wiley) and a monograph for the National Council of Interior Design Qualifications, the accreditation body for interior designers. A long time eco-contributor to Interior Design magazine’s website, Penny currently writes a monthly column for the Healthy Building Network’s newsletter. She joined with recognized thought leaders in the green movement to form Ecoimpact Consulting www.ecoimpactsite.com - an exciting collaboration offering companies Sustainable Strategies for Better Business and the opportunity to work with experts who have a collective knowledge of the sustainability framework and a proven track record of success, Penny was named to the National Register of Peer Professionals for GSA’s Design Excellence Program and participated in the per review of the Harry S. Truman Bldg (Dept of State) Modernization in Washington, DC. As an invited expert by the National Research Council and the Architect of the Capitol she assisted with the scientific and technical issues related to implementing energy and sustainability initiatives throughout the U.S. Capitol Complex. Penny has received an Honorary Doctorate from the New York School of Interior Design for her outstanding commitment to sustainable interior design. She is also the recipient of ASID’s 2007 Designer of Distinction award and the 2003 USGBC Leadership Award, the second person to be so honored. She chairs the ASID Foundation Board of Trustees, and serves on the Greenguard Advisory Council, the Healthy Building Network Board of Directors and has received honorary Senior Fellowship from the Design Futures Council. In 1996 Penny served as the 21st national president of ASID, a 45,000-member organization that is the oldest and largest professional association of interior designers in the world and represents practitioners in all design specialties. Bonda has also been named a Fellow of ASID, the highest honor conferred by the society.		Randy Gaines Vice President Engineering, Housekeeping, Laundry Operations Hilton Worldwide Randy Gaines is respon- sible for engineering, housekeeping, laundry ... More about Randy Gaines Randy Gaines Vice President Engineering, Housekeeping, Laundry Operations Hilton Worldwide Randy Gaines is responsible for engineering, housekeeping, laundry operations, sustainability implementation, energy commodity, energy conservation, brand initiatives, engineering cap-ex program and standards for his group. Hilton Worldwide consists of over 3,600 hotels in more than 80 Countries. Prior to Hilton, Randy served as Vice President Engineering Technical Services for Host Hotels and Resorts where he headed up sustainability projects, greening efforts, energy ROI and cap-ex for his area of responsibility.
	Donald Griner, AIA, LEED AP Senior Director, Design & Innovation Choice Hotels International, Inc. Donald Griner is senior director of design & innovation for Choice Hotels... More about Donald Griner Donald Griner, AIA, LEED AP Senior Director, Design & Innovation Choice Hotels International, Inc. Donald Griner is senior director of design & innovation for Choice Hotels International, Inc., one of the world’s largest hotel franchisors. In this position, he is responsible for prototypedevelopment, brand standards, cost estimating, sustainable intiatives and architectural, interior design and construction management support for all projects relating to Choice’s Upscale and Extended Stay brands: Cambria Suites, Ascend Collection, MainStay Suites and Suburban. Mr. Griner also leads Choice’s strategic product innovation function, including research and development of new brand concepts. Since joining Choice in 2002, Mr. Griner led the team that designed new construction products for seven brands, including Cambria Suites. In his last position as senior director of product development, he oversaw the product design function for all Choice brands worldwide. Prior to joining Choice, Mr. Griner served in various hospitality design positions during his nine-year tenure at Marriott International. He led the architectural redesign of the SpringHill Suites and Fairfield Inn & Suites brands, as well as the Project Improvement Plan program to renovate the Fairfield brand’s existing property portfolio. Prior to these projects, he worked on international, full-service and Courtyard hotel projects in Europe, and was in charge of the site-planning program for earlier generation Residence Inns and related extended-stay hotel projects. He is a registered architect and has held a number of positions outside of the industry in major architectural and project management consulting firms. Mr. Griner is also LEED certified. Mr. Griner holds a master’s degree in architecture, a master’s degree in business administration and a bachelor’s degree in architecture from the University of Michigan. He has served on various design and development boards since 1995, including the City of Falls Church, Virginia Planning Commission, Architectural Advisory Board and the Downtown Development Task Force.		Judith Heerwagen, PhD Program Expert Office of Federal High Performance Green Buildings US General Services Administration Judith Heerwagen is a ... More about Judith Heerwagen Judith Heerwagen, PhD Program Expert Office of Federal High Performance Green Buildings US General Services Administration Judith Heerwagen is a psychologist whose work centers on the links between the built environment and human behavior. At GSA, she focuses on translating research into practical applications aimed at increasing the operational efficiency of buildings and supporting human health and productivity. Prior to joining the US General Services Administration Office of Federal High Performance Green Buildings in 2010, she had her own consulting business devoted to translating behavioral science research into design principles and applications. In 2010 she served as a Distinguished Visiting Scholar at Portland State University’s Center for Sustainable Processes and Practices. She has written and lectured widely on the psychology of human behavior and the built environment. She is co-editor of Biophilic Design: The Theory, Science and Practice of Bringing Buildings to Life which won the 2008 Publishers Award in architecture and urban planning. She received her PhD in psychology from the University of Washington and a BS in communications from the University of Illinois.
	Mark Slymen Director/Technical Services & Sustainability Montage Hotels & Resorts Mr. Slymen oversees all sustainable development and operational practices for Montage Hotels & Resorts. ... More about Mark Slymen Mark Slymen Director/Technical Services & Sustainability Montage Hotels & Resorts Mr. Slymen oversees all sustainable development and operational practices for Montage Hotels & Resorts. This includes existing properties in Laguna Beach and Beverly Hills and those under development in Deer Valley, Utah and Los Cabos, Mexico. He began his career in the hospitality industry in the family owned and operated Aliso Creek Inn & Golf Course in Laguna Beach. Prior to the Montage purchase of Aliso Creek Inn & Golf Course in 2004, Mr. Slymen was the golf course manager and superintendent, and assisted in accounting and information technology support. In 2006, his focus shifted towards development and entitlement support. In this role he developed additional knowledge and interest in sustainability and obtained LEED accreditation. Mr. Slymen helped oversee the LEED process for Montage Beverly Hills, resulting in a “Gold” level certification awarded by the USGBC in April 2009 and for Montage Deer Valley, in Park City Utah resulting in a “Silver” level certification in May of 2011. Mr. Slymen plays an active role in the Environmental Impact Committee at both Montage Laguna Beach and Montage Beverly Hills. He is also involved in many organizations including the Hospitality Adaptations Working Group for the national chapter of the USGBC, the Hospitality Committee for the Orange County Chapter of the USGBC and serves on the Board of Directors for the Ocean Institute. He is a graduate of the University of Oregon with a degree in Management and Finance and an MBA in General Business.		Linda Sorrento Principal Sustainable Practice Sorrento Consulting, LLC A deep concern for how interior environments affect human health and per- formance has informed ,... More about Linda Sorrento Linda Sorrento Principal Sustainable Practice Sorrento Consulting, LLC A deep concern for how interior environments affect human health and performance has informed every facet of Linda Sorrento’s career as a sustainable design advocate, interior designer, researcher and educator. In 2011, Linda launched her consulting firm to focus on projects for improving occupant experience in and around green buildings. Prior to her consulting practice, Linda was the Senior Director of Education Partnerships and Director of LEED for Commercial Interiors for USGBC. Linda practiced as a corporate interior designer for 29 years, cultivating a diverse work experience with major corporate clients and manufacturers. During that time, Linda was an assistant professor at George Washington University and Northern Virginia Community College. Linda is actively involved in serving the design community as a past member of the ASID National Board of Directors as well as numerous advisory boards. She holds a bachelor’s degree in interior design from Syracuse University and a master’s degree in interior design from Marymount University.
	Jefferson Thomas AIA, LEED AP Senior Design Manager A&C Product Development Taking a leading role in Marriott International’s green initiatives, Jefferson Thomas is responsible for the ... More about Jefferson Thomas Jefferson Thomas AIA, LEED AP Senior Design Manager A&C Product Development Taking a leading role in Marriott International’s green initiatives, Jefferson Thomas is responsible for the development of Marriott’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) volume program; working in conjunction with the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and Marriott’s Select Service and Extended Stay brands. Leveraging his extensive knowledge and passion for green and sustainable design, Jefferson has assisted the company to establish an exceptional relationship with USGBC: together developing innovative, leading edge program solutions. A LEED accredited professional and registered architect, Jefferson has also been instrumental in providing design expertise to Marriott projects targeting LEED certification. In support of Marriott International’s corporate green position, Jefferson frequently collects, analyzes, and disseminates green findings to Marriott’s Executive Green Council. A talented environmentalist and green advocate, Jefferson was appointed to the Hotel Advisory Group for the USGBC, a team of professionals chartered to develop the new LEED guidelines for hospitality. Additionally, he has been invited to speak at several leading industry events, including the 2007 Chicago - Hospitality Construction Conference, 2008 San Diego – CoreNet, 2008 Las Vegas - Hotel Design Conference, 2008 New York, NEWH - Annual Sustainable Hospitality Leadership Forum, 2008 Washington D.C World Bank - Potomac Watershed Conference, and the U.S. Green Building Councils 2009 annual Greenbuild conference. Joining Marriott International over twelve years ago, Jefferson has been an integral part of Marriott’s Architecture and Construction (A&C) Design Management team, working with both new construction and renovation projects; furthermore excelling by bringing with him an additional ten years of experience in working with the renowned David M. Schwartz Architects. Jefferson holds an MBA, MA in Project Management from Keller Graduate School of Management, as well as a Bachelor of Architecture from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. Among other accomplishments, he is a member of the U.S. Green Building Council, American Institute of Architects, and Project Management Institute.		Clifford R, Tuttle, ASID, LEED AP Senior Vice President ForrestPerkins Clifford R. Tuttle heads the interior design practice in the San Francisco office of ForrestPerkins, having ... More about Clifford R. Tuttle Clifford R, Tuttle, ASID, LEED AP Senior Vice President ForrestPerkins Clifford R. Tuttle heads the interior design practice in the San Francisco office of ForrestPerkins, having worked in the Washington, DC office as Director of Design for eight years subsequent to returning to the United States after six years in Singapore as president of Concept Design Group, Honolulu, and Concept International Design Group, Singapore. Mr. Tuttle’s wide range of experience in the hospitality design profession includes the design and management of projects in the United States and Southeast Asia. Active in numerous professional organizations, the firm’s Senior Vice President is involved in the American Society of Interior Designers, recently serving as Director of Professional Development for the Washington DC Metro Chapter and having served as President of the Hawaii Chapter. Mr. Tuttle recently has served as president of the Washington, DC chapter of NEWH and sits on its international Board of Directors. An award-winning designer whose laurels include Lodging Hospitality Designer’s Circle First Place Award and Boutique Design Best Hotel Design, Mr. Tuttle has also served as an educator, teaching at the Interior Designers’ Guild in Los Angeles. Mr. Tuttle’s creativity, expertise in spatial planning and project management skills augment the experience and skill of the firm’s principals. His considerable experience in Asia expands ForrestPerkins’ ability to provide comprehensive service to its international clientele. Mr. Tuttle is active on the international level of NEWH, having served on the Board of Directors as Director of Chapter Board Training and mentoring NEWH chapters in the US and the UK. Committed to environmentally sound design practices, he recently served as Director of NEWH Sustainable Hospitality, and presently serves on the Sustainable Design Council for the American Society of Interior Designers. A LEED Accredited Professional, he served on the Technical Advisory Group for LEED for Hospitality for the US Green Building Council.
	Kal Wellman Commercial Real Estate U.S. Green Building Council Kal graduated from Bond University’s School of Architecture and Sustainable Development (Queensland, Australia) in 2010 where he... More about Kal Wellman Kal Wellman Commercial Real Estate U.S. Green Building Council Kal graduated from Bond University’s School of Architecture and Sustainable Development (Queensland, Australia) in 2010 where he studied Urban Development and Sustainability. Upon leaving school, Kal joined the sustainability branch of a New York City based indoor air quality company, where he helped develop comprehensive corporate sustainability initiatives for large organizations. Currently, Kal is a member of the Commercial Real Estate team within the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED Department, focusing on the hospitality, retail, and the office/industrial market sectors.