Concord Hospitality Wins Two of Marriott’s Top Brand Awards

Company Awarded “Hotel Opening of the Year” for Fairfield Inn & Suites, SpringHill Suites

RALEIGH-DURHAM, N.C., April 6, 2009—Concord Hospitality Enterprises, one of the nation’s top-ranked hotel developer/owner/operators, today announced it won two of Marriott’s top brand awards: “Hotel Opening of the Year” for both the Fairfield Inn & Suites and SpringHill Suites brands.

The company also brought home from Marriott’s annual recognition event several other Marriott accolades, including two Platinum, five Gold and three Silver Circle awards, all honors given for exceptional guest satisfaction.

“These awards demonstrate the quality that is our hallmark within the industry,” said Mark G. Laport, (top right photo) Concord president and CEO. “Our commitment to excellence, community, integrity and guest and associate satisfaction continues to generate superior results in all aspects of our business.

" Both “Hotel Opening of the Year” properties are new builds, and were strategically placed in markets that would support their development and yield the maximum ROI.”

The Hotel Opening of the Year award is based on superior performance in a number of categories, including demonstrated leadership, team building and development, financial management, sales and service leadership and community service at the time of opening.

RevPAR, RevPAR Index, occupancy, and guest satisfaction are also considered.

The 120-room Springhill Suites Waukegan/Gurnee, Ill., (middle left photo) winner of SpringHill Suites Hotel Opening of the Year, is the first SpringHill Suites hotel to feature the brand’s contemporary, boutique-style redesign.

Concord co-designed the brand’s new look in partnership with Marriott, which includes an innovative lobby with custom lighting, moveable “soft walls” and changeable graphic panels to create distinctive environments throughout the day.

The property launched in August 2008 and within two months achieved 66 percent occupancy, beating the industry average by more than five percent.

The 110-room Fairfield Inn & Suites Pittsburgh Neville Island (bottom right photo) opened in October 2008 and claimed the top award for the Fairfield Inn & Suites brand.

The property is located on Interstate 79, and each of the guest rooms and suites features luxury bedding, a large work area and free wireless high speed Internet.

The new property achieved 65 percent occupancy within two months, also beating the industry average.

Contact: Melanie Boyer, Daly Gray Public Relations, (703) 435-6293.