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Capitalizing on their close proximity to one another, these three hotels demonstrate the power of a collaborative approach to reducing environmental impact. To reduce the amount of freshwater consumption in an area of increased water scarcity, the hotels recover condensate and treat effluent for use in cooling towers and other equipment.

At Park Hyatt Dubai, this effluent treatment saves up to 100,000 gallons of fresh water a day and more than one million gallons per year. At Grand Hyatt Dubai, home to one of the largest solar panel installations in the Middle East, the hotel saves more than 100,000 gallons of diesel per year and effectively reduces its associated carbon emissions.

"We are thrilled that the Hyatt properties in Dubai have been recognized in this manner. The hotel industry can sometimes be labelled as overly enthusiastic in the use of utilities, especially when operating in the climatic conditions experienced in this region. That Hyatt chose to recognize the three Dubai Hyatt properties out of the portfolio of 483 hotels worldwide is testament to the efforts and creativity of the Engineering and Green Teams at these hotels," said John Beveridge, general manager of Grand Hyatt Dubai and Hyatt International - South West Asia, area director for Dubai.

"We must also recognize the commitment of the hotel's owners, Wasl hospitality, in encouraging the management teams to embrace every opportunity to manage our environmental impact while ensuring guests continue to experience a high comfort level. In doing so, everyone is a winner," continued Mr. Beveridge.

The awards recognize outstanding commitment in 2011 to initiatives aligned with Hyatt's global corporate responsibility platform Hyatt Thrive, and were open to full service, managed hotels, resorts, and field offices within Hyatt's portfolio. To be considered, applicants must have demonstrated leadership in environmental sustainability and/or community engagement.

A total of six awards will be distributed within Hyatt every year to the hotels and resorts that demonstrate exemplary leadership in these two areas. More than 70 nominations were submitted this year, and winners were selected by a cross functional committee comprised of representatives from Hyatt leadership and its operational teams. Each nomination was evaluated based on the following criteria: a coherent, focused approach that yields high impact; significant employee engagement; strategic programming tied to the company's mission, values and goals, and Hyatt Thrive platform; innovative approach that yields substantial environmental benefits; and, a sustained, long-term investment in the community. This year's winners include:

• Excellence in Environmental Sustainability - Hyatt Regency Atlanta and a collaborative team from Park Hyatt, Grand Hyatt and Hyatt Regency hotels in Dubai.
• Excellence in Community Engagement - Grand Hyatt Jakarta and Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok.
• Excellence in Doing It All - Grand Hyatt Sao Paulo and Hyatt Regency Hill Country.

"We are honored and humbled to recognize the valuable contributions made by the winners of our inaugural Hyatt Thrive Leadership Awards," said Brigitta Witt, vice president of corporate responsibility for Hyatt Hotels & Resorts. "Actively contributing to the environmental and social well-being of our communities is integral to sustaining our business; and the recipients of this award exemplify Hyatt's longstanding commitment to contribute to the prosperity, health and advancement of the many communities around the world that we serve."