Jan 27, 2011- MIAMI, Florida – OBM International (OBMI), one of the world’s leading international architectural and planning firms, today announced a partnership with Green Globe Certification, a worldwide sustainability system, to establish a global platform to bring sustainability standards through a certification program to the operation and management of resort destinations and communities.

OBMI focuses on place-specific architecture, celebrating context, culture, and climate in order to emphasize environmentally-sensitive design. The firm plans to introduce the Green Globe Certification system to its new and existing projects throughout the world to further promote eco-friendly practices.

The Green Globe Certification focuses on the implementation of standards beyond the design and construction phases to impact sustainability for the life of a project, its operations, and management. Execution of the certification process requires an audit and evaluation based on global guidelines established through the sustainability program.

Standards and criteria to achieve certification include sustainable management such as training of property staff to be environmentally responsible; social/economic development to raise community awareness; building a respect for cultural heritage and preservation; and environmental analysis of energy consumption, water use, reducing pollution, recycling, and other pollutants.

“This partnership is a wonderful opportunity to expand the reach of sustainable practices to our projects and further our vision to promote an international standard that supports sustainability and the well being of our environment,” said Doug Kulig, CEO of OBMI. “As we look toward the future, designing and planning for sustainability will continue to be vital for the long-term success of projects and the health and prosperity of their communities and environments.”

“OBMI is a dynamic firm concerned with bringing sustainable operation and management to the resorts and communities it has planned in some of the most sensitive tourism destinations on the planet,” said Mr. Guido Bauer, CEO of Green Globe Certification. “We are excited that this leading company has chosen to adopt our Green Globe Sustainability Standard as their underpinning sustainability system.”

OBMI enjoys an international reputation for its architectural design and planning of mixed-use residential and resort destinations, commercial developments, and civic projects in the Americas, Caribbean, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. The 75-year-old firm is recognized for its design of landmark properties.

Through the partnership, Green Globe Certification will begin an extensive training program with OBMI staff in its 9 international offices, with the Green Globe Academy being utilized as the global training platform.

ABOUT OBM INTERNATIONAL (OBMI)
Founded in 1936, OBMI is recognized as one of the world’s leading architectural and planning firms, with 9 global offices providing vast multi-disciplinary experience, while integrating a boutique approach to serving its clients. The firm specializes in master planning and architectural design of mixed-use residential and resort destinations, commercial developments, and civic projects, and enjoys a strong presence in Europe, the Americas, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. The cornerstone of OBMI is its keen ability to create successful places around the world, with a distinct respect for culture, history, conservation, sustainability, and heritage. Currently celebrating 75 years of architectural excellence in 2011, OBMI’s history is highlighted by landmark projects worldwide and a successful track record having worked with prominent clients, including: Le Royal Mansour in Marrakech, Morocco; The Wave in Oman; and Scrub Island in the British Virgin Islands. For more information about OBMI, visit www.obmi.com .

ABOUT GREEN GLOBE CERTIFICATION
Green Globe Certification is the worldwide sustainability system based on internationally-accepted criteria for sustainable operation and management of travel and tourism businesses. Operating under a worldwide license, Green Globe Certification is based in California, USA, and is represented in over 83 countries. Green Globe is the only certification brand to be an affiliate member of the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), is partly owned by the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), and a member of the Caribbean Alliance for Sustainable Tourism (CAST) governing council. For information visit www.greenglobe.com .