INNCOM International won the Kenneth F. Hine Best of Show award at the 92nd annual International Hotel/Motel & Restaurant Show in New York City on Nov. 11.

The Niantic, CT company won for the e4 Smart Digital Thermostat with ecoMODE, a device that lets guests activate the hotel's conservation program. A touch of a button triggers the energy-saving mode and activates participation in a towel and linen recycling program.

The Editors' Choice Awards were expanded to include a green equivalent to each of the competition's five categories of décor, essentials, luxury, restaurant and technology.

Protect-A-Bed won in Essentials with the AllerZip, a mattress encasement that is waterproof, breathable and allergen and mite proof. In Green Essentials, Zurn Engineered Water Solutions won with its EconVantage Pint Urinal System, which features ultra-low water consumption, the latest in sensory technology and higher quality vitreous china.

Rubbermaid Commercial Products won in Luxury with the Deluxe Compact Housekeeping Cart, which includes upgraded ball-bearing wheels for quieter maneuvering, mahogany-finished panels to appeal to high-end properties and upgraded hasp locks. Neoteric Home Design took the Green Luxury award with its Bora Bora Bed, a canopied daybed created with Viro Fiber handwoven over a recycled aluminum base.

Eurotrend Furniture won in the Décor category for RING, the first chair for the industry with two independent wood shells that create extreme comfort by moving separately. The Green Décor award went to Milliken Hospitality Carpet for its Lucerne Modular Carpet, which is certified by Green Label Plus for indoor air quality and is produced with alternative energy.

Eastern Silver Tabletop Manufacturing Co. won the Restaurant award for the Collapsible Chafer, a new stackable and collapsible chafer that combines four to six chafers into one stack and store bin without hurting presentation. FOLD-PAK won in Green Restaurant with BioPlus Earth, a paperboard takeout container that is made from recycled paper and is grease and leak resistant.

In Technology, eMenuBoard Systems won with a touch-screen menu that is placed in front of a restaurant to better promote its services. The ecoMODE by e4 won in the Green Technology category.

Editors from leading trade publications, including Lodging Hospitality Editor Ed Watkins, reviewed nearly 150 submissions from exhibitors at the show in the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. The winners were chosen based on innovative product design, how a product answers an industry need, creative use of material and the development or use of new technology.

Pre-Function Table

The SICO Socializer is a multiple-height table that can be easily adjusted to either a standing or a seated height. There are 12 height adjustments in one table. Tables can be stored in a minimum of space. Circle 100

Color Printing

Brother International Corp. introduces its new MFC-9000 Series Color Laser Multi-Function Centers. Two models are offered that can handle color printing, copying, faxing and scanning. The MFC-9000 Series features up to 21 pages per minute print speed for both color and monochrome printing. Both models produce colorful, high-resolution 2400×600 dpi output. Circle 101

Coffee Maker

Sunbeam Hospitality introduces a new in-room Mr. Coffee single-serve coffeemaker that allows guests to brew up to a single 16-ounce serving with the touch of a button. The pumpless system costs less to operate, and a removable brew basket makes cleaning quick and easy for housekeeping. Circle 102

Fabric Collection

Fabtex's Symphony Collection charts the newest direction in post-white guestroom design. With woven 100-percent polyester fabrics, the collection makes it easy for hotels to select from a wide array of fabrics that are 100-percent polyester for maximum durability and easy cleaning. Circle 103

Hospitality Beds

The Sealy Posturepedic Global Hospitality Collection has three levels of bedding comfort designed to meet the diverse product needs of hospitality customers. Sealy has also ensured the specifications comply with local bedding size requirements and codes abroad. Circle 104

Hair Dryer

Andis' new Ionic Hang-Up hair dryer has a convenient electronic nightlight that casts a soft, diffused light to help guests navigate in the dark. It's available in white or black and mounts securely on the wall so it takes up limited counter space. With a quiet motor and 1,600 watts of drying power, the Hang-Up has two heat settings and air speeds. Circle 105

Healthy Eating

Kellogg's Food Away From Home makes it easy for hoteliers to offer a simple way to meet guest goals of developing healthier eating habits. Kellogg's offers the I-Box Wellness Assortment pack of “better for you” cereal brands and the Kashi product line of health-conscious foods. The two combine to give health- and wellness-focused breakfast solutions. Circle 106

Down Alternative Fiber

United Feather & Down introduces its popular MicroMax down alternative with 360 Fiber Tech, the company's new process that creates ball cluster fiber from traditional fiber fills for a firmer feel and more washability. Although the 360 Fiber Tech ball clusters offer a firmer feel for those who prefer it, MicroMax bedding with it retains the down-like texture and the same form-fitting comfort as MicroMax's other products. The fill will be offered in pillows, comforters and blankets. Circle 107

PTAC

Vert-I-Pak single package vertical units from Friedrich install in a typical mechanical closet, creating more home-like hotel rooms. They also eliminate the clutter of outdoor condensing units and are much quieter, says the company. Friedrich systems are ductable for zone cooling in multiple rooms. Units are remote thermostat ready so hotel guests may operate them like central air systems, while hoteliers enjoy the flexibility and cost control of individually controlled systems. Circle 108