Good for Earth and Passengers

Downtown travelers on their way to and from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) have had the option of using the FlyAway shuttle service since 2006, which has reduced vehicle emissions by 54,657 pounds. As a result of the success of this pilot program, Los Angeles World Airports, LAX’s parent organization, has awarded a $16.5-million five-year contract to Coach America, which will begin phasing in a more efficient fleet of buses powered by compressed natural gas (vs. diesel) in December. The new 21-passenger buses, shuttling between busy Union Station and LAX, will also feature Wi-Fi Internet service and airline-style trays on the seat backs. In addition to these services, passengers are able to check in luggage and receive an airline boarding pass from participating airlines before arrival.  

Luxury in the Tetons

Teton Springs Lodge & Spa, located in a Victor, Idaho resort community, is scheduled to open this December as part one of a two-phase project, with 37 condominiums and 2,000 sq. ft. of temporary meeting space. In 2008, phase two will transform the initial meeting space into a retail complex and unveil the lodge’s new 3,000-square-foot Headwaters Club and Conference Center. A fully-equipped business center, catering services and Wi-Fi will be available for guests. The lodge will also gain 43 additional condominium units and the upscale Headwaters Grille, marking the completion of the project.  

Bay Area Buzz

Three historic hotels in San Francisco have partnered to provide more collective meeting space and guest rooms for the city’s large groups. The prestigious Fairmont San Francisco, InterContinental Mark Hopkins and Renaissance Stanford Court, plus the Nob Hill Masonic Center, are located within a block of each other—a short walk between properties for attendees. The facilities offer 1,364 guest rooms combined and a total of 176,523 sq. ft. of meeting space. The three hotels also offer Wi-Fi, business centers and private dining rooms.  Additionally, groups visiting San Francisco will have more lodging options at the snazzy hotel cropping up near Moscone Center. The new $195-million InterContinental Hotel San Francisco, slated to open in February, will offer 550 guest rooms, plus 21 meeting rooms on three levels. The hotel’s grand ballroom will provide 6,800 sq. ft. of space, and the junior ballroom will have 5,400 sq. ft.  Farther south in the Bay Area, the Sheraton Gateway Hotel at San Francisco International Airport is undergoing renovations that are set for completion by the end of 2008. The lobby and guest rooms will be part of the $17-million upgrade, in addition to its 10,000 sq. ft. of meeting space. Be sure to check out the hotel’s latest feature: the GuestLink accessory, which allows guests to plug their digital devices (iPods, PDAs and laptops) into 42-inch flat-panel TVs.  

New Boutique Brand

LodgeWorks, a Kansas-based hotel development company, is coming out with a new boutique brand that will provide intimate event settings for executive retreats. The new brand, Avia, will focus on individual service and local inspiration to put guests in touch with the essence of each locale. For example, the décor of each property will mimic its surroundings, and menus will feature locally grown produce. LodgeWorks has begun construction on two California properties—in Long Beach and Napa—with openings set for spring 2009. Long Beach’s hotel will have 1,350 sq. ft. of event space, a rooftop pool deck for receptions and a 1,300-square-foot courtyard. Groups staying in Napa can use 1,900 sq. ft. of flexible meeting space, while VIPs will enjoy the 600-square-foot executive suite with a private terrace.  

High Rank for Hyatt

Chicago-based Hyatt Corporation found itself near the top of BusinessWeek’s “Best Places to Launch a Career 2007” survey, published in September. Ranking in at #21, Hyatt shares a positive reputation with other high-ranking companies such as Google, Microsoft and Disney. Feedback from career counselors, students and company-specific statistics determined where, if at all, companies fell on the “winners” list of 95. Hyatt’s attributes include its internships and corporate management training programs. In 2006, 25 percent of eligible interns received full-time job offers, and 90 percent of those offers were accepted. Incidentally, the company also offers a volunteer program to employees that enables them to take part in local community outreach efforts on paid company time.