Radisson Blu Mall of America becomes first hotel in the Twin Cities to attain LEED^® certification from U.S. Green Building Council

MINNEAPOLIS (May 19, 2015) Radisson Blu Mall of America (@RadissonBluMOA) today announced that it has officially received LEED^® certification. The LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) rating system, developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), is the foremost program for the design, construction, and operation of high performance green buildings. To date, Radisson Blu Mall of America is the only hotel in the greater Minneapolis - St. Paul metropolitan region to receive LEED^® certification.

Our team has worked very hard to implement procedures and operations to ensure we are environmentally conscious and responsible, said Harry Gorstayn, general manager, Radisson Blu Mall of America. We are very proud to receive LEED certification, and look forward to welcoming guests and groups who are also environmentally conscious.

The hotel was awarded its LEED certification after passing a third party certification review process that incorporated hundreds of checkpoints designed to ensure a high level of eco-friendliness. Radisson Blu Mall of America conserves water and electricity by using linen-less meeting room tables and saves energy by programming the heating and cooling systems in meeting rooms to only be on when the rooms are being used. Additionally, the hotel recycles guestroom soap through Clean the World, a non-profit whose mission is to save lives by providing children and families in countries with high death rates due to pneumonia and cholera with recycled amenities such as soap and shampoo.

These LEED certification standards are consistent with the Radisson Blu brands commitment to sustainability and to environmental stewardship. Radisson Blu Mall of America joins Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel, Chicago to receive this certification. Club Carlson^SM, the global loyalty program for Carlson Rezidor Hotel group, was the first hotel loyalty program to commit to a global meetings and events carbon-offsetting initiative. A free service for the hotels and meeting planners. The company purchases carbon credits to offset the estimated carbon footprint of 100 percent of Club Carlson for Planners meetings and events globally, across the groups six global brands.

Radisson Blu Mall of America was designed by ESG Architects, who provides resources for its clients on issues related to green building principles for the creation and stewardship of sustainable communities.