For the past five months, the Hyatt Regency Chicago has been using Oreck Professional Air Purifiers. The results have been positive, says Greg Saunders, managing director of the Hyatt. The East Wacker Drive property is the city's largest hotel.

The Oreck “doesn't produce the ozone some other models produce, so the technology is superior,“ Saunders says. “Plus, we felt the look was much stronger, and it has various modes of operation, from Silent to Max.“ Above all, customers of the 2,019-guestroom hotel told management the quality of the air had improved during their stay.

“The addition of Oreck Professional Air Purifiers to all of our guestrooms is a great enhancement to Hyatt Regency Chicago and expresses our commitment to the health and comfort of our guests,“ says Tom Pagels, general manager.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, indoor air is up to 10 times dirtier than outside air. Oreck claims its Professional Air Purifier with Silence Technology traps such airborne dirt in its permanent electronic filter. Unlike HEPA filters, Oreck's can be rinsed off and reused.

The air purifier traps airborne allergens, capturing particles as small as .01 microns, or about one-hundredth the width of a human hair. It has a three-speed switch, adjustable louvers, an ionizer and a scent cartridge compartment.

“Everything is washable,“ says Tony LaGreca, president and CEO of Oreck's commercial sales. The reason the purifier works so well is because a high-speed fan pushes charged air through an activated charcoal filter, recirculating it into the room. Air in a room 30 by 30 feet is recirculated six times an hour when the Oreck Air Purifier is on high speed, LaGreca says.

“We've now had them going on five months,“ says Hyatt's Saunders. “Our scores in cleanliness and freshness in the guestrooms are up substantially.“
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Auto-Off Steam Iron

Andis has developed a new auto-off steam iron with safety features to ensure that guests can't leave irons turned on in vacant rooms. An auto-off indicator light shows at a glance by flashing when the iron has automatically turned off. When the iron is idle while resting on the heel for more than eight minutes, it will stop heating. Also, if it is left in the ironing position without moving for more than 30 seconds or if it tips over, it will stop heating.
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Alarm Clock Radio

The Z1200G clock radio from Hotel Technologies features an MP3 line-in, single-day alarm and nature sounds (babbling brook, ocean surf or forest spring). Guests can set the unit to wake to radio, bells or buzzer. Other features include a large, easy-to-read, custom red display; a flashing snooze bar/nightlight and battery back up.
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Phosphate Test Kit

Hach/ETS announces a new package for its AquaTrend phosphate test kit. The kit includes 50 powder pillows, two vials and a card with directions. Previously packaged in a cardboard box, the test kit components are now packaged in a sturdy plastic bottle. The test is said to give accurate results after only 60 seconds, and measures phosphate from 0 to 1000 parts per billion.
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Safety Shoe

WORX by Red Wing Shoes offers the 6331 Service Athletic Shoe-Men's designed for the hospitality industry. It features the Star Grip Sole, which is said to deliver maximum slip resistance and help prevent slips and falls with independent laboratory testing confirming superior performance in dry, oily, wet and oily/wet conditions.
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Mobile Bar/Buffet Units

Save time and increase flexibility with Midwest's mobile bar/buffet units. Tables may be fully prepared prior to the event and rolled to the desired location when needed. The detachable riser shelf may be used to add a second tier for buffet setups or to create a mobile bar. Removable lower shelves provide convenient, concealed storage.
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Plasma Flat Panel Display

Sony Electronics introduces a 42-inch flat panel plasma professional display. The FWD-42PV1 plasma flat panel display offers features that make it well-suited for the demands of today's business environment, including a 10,000:1 contrast ratio, W-VGA resolution and the ability to display images and video from a wide assortment of inputs and formats. It also features two slots to accommodate a television tuner and the BKM-FW32 network card, enabling users to monitor the display's status and troubleshoot multiple networked displays from one central location.
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In-Room Coffee

Classic Coffee Concepts offers a wide selection of four-cup filter pouch coffees for the hospitality industry. Coffees are made with 100-percent gourmet coffee beans. The pre-measured filter pouches are available in foil packages to assure a fresh cup of coffee.
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Time Management System

Amano Cincinnati, Inc. introduces its new Time Guardian PRO time management solution. Features include a simplified menu system, a powerful setup Wizard, fully customizable editing screen and multiple hardware and communications options.
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Massage Chair

The Hawaiian Lomi Group introduces the E-Motion Lounger, a low-cost therapeutic massage chair. Priced just under $1,000, the lounger costs $2,000 to $3,000 less than other chairs in its category, claims the company. The company expects the new chair to be particularly popular with active adults.
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Anti-Viral Tissue

Kimberly-Clark Professional introduces Kleenex Anti-Viral facial tissue, said to kill 99.9 percent of cold and flu viruses yet gentle enough for everyday use. It relies on a patented, super-premium three-ply tissue design with a moisture-activated middle layer that is treated with anti-viral formula.
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Control Products

The Watt Stopper introduces Miro, a line of architectural wiring devices and wireless RF lighting control products. Powered by 900 MHz wireless communication technology, Wireless Miro offers control capabilities without control wiring, central processor or power line carrier, or elaborate programming software tools. Wireless Miro products include switches, universal dimmers, fan controls, plug modules, wall mount and handheld controllers, multilocation controllers, repeaters and touch screen.
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Guest Service Video

“Delivering Quality Guest Service,“ a revised and updated video from the Educational Institute of the American Hotel & Lodging Association, shows employees how to fulfill their responsibilities to guests and create a memorable service experience from check-in to check-out. Viewers learn proper guest service techniques as they watch a team of hotel employees handle a variety of service issues with empathy and skill.
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Bird Control

Bird-B-Gone, Inc. introduces Bird Spike 2001, an affordable stainless steel spike for building maintenance. Bird Spike 2001 prevents birds from landing or roosting, and comes in 3-, 5- and 8-inch widths. Bird-B-Gone products will not harm birds, and are recommended by major animal rights groups.
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