This week, Hyatt President and CEO Mark Hoplamazian spoke at the 2012 National Conference on Volunteering and Service. It's fitting Mark discussed turning points in how corporations conduct business on the very same day that we released our first Corporate Responsibility Report!

Since formally launching Hyatt Thrive last year, Hyatt has spurred its properties and associates to find opportunities to serve our communities better, from installing energy efficient lighting in our hotels to teaming up with Partnership for a Healthier America to improve the nutritional profile of our menus. As Mark wrote in the report, "With more than 480 properties in 45 counties, it's critical that we conduct our business and that our hotels operate in a responsible way that makes a difference."

The full report, available on HyattThrive.com, shares the global scope of Hyatt Thrive, our future goals, and some of our 2011 achievements, including:  

• Training nearly 15,000 associates to help identify opportunities to reduce waste and conserve water and energy
• Creating 4,500 jobs at new hotels around the world
• Introducing My Green Touches, which incorporate at least five simple sustainable actions into every job function
• Contributing $4.9 million in charitable giving worldwide

Our Corporate Responsibility Report also includes stories of how individual hotels and Hyatt associates - the driving force behind Hyatt Thrive - are giving back. Continuing the spirit of Thrive Thursday, we're excited to share another story of how the Boston area Hyatt hotels rallied together this past weekend for Hyatt's Global Volunteer Initiative.

Last Saturday, 40 volunteers from Hyatt Harborside, Hyatt Regency Boston, and Hyatt Regency Cambridge helped swimmers at the Special Olympic Massachusetts Summer Games. Hyatt associates participated in the meet from the starting whistle all the way to the awards tent. Seeing the athletes' excitement first-hand was particularly rewarding!