Tilt-Con Corp. Completes Kohl's Job; Starts on Beacon Lakes Project in Miami

Beacon Lakes Building 12 warehouse in Miami will be 189,140 SF

MIAMI, FL – Tilt-Con Corporation, Tamarac, is under way on the new 189,140-square-foot Beacon Lakes Building 12 warehouse (top right photo) at 12600 NW 25th Street, Miami, under its contract with Flagler Construction, Miami.

Selected for its unrivaled performance and speed of execution, Tilt-Con utilizes its economical system for tilt-up concrete walls.

Ranked as Florida’s largest tilt-up concrete constructor by Engineering News-Record magazine, Tilt-Con’s scope of work includes foundations, slab-on-grade and tilt-up concrete wall panels. Designed by RLC Architects, Boca Raton, the project is slated for completion in December 2008. Tilt-Con’s South Florida office is located at 10601 State Street, Suite 10, Tamarac, FL 33321, phone 1-800-446-8458.

Two-Story Kohl's at 11800 Mills Drive, Kendall, FL Contains 96,487 SF

KENDALL, FL – Tilt-Con Corporation, Tamarac, completed the new 2-story, 96,487-square-foot Kohl’s department store at 11800 Mills Drive, Kendall, FL, under its contract with J. Raymond Construction Corporation, Longwood, FL.

Selected for its unrivaled performance and speed of execution, Tilt-Con utilized its economical multi-story system for tilt-up concrete walls.

Ranked as Florida’s largest tilt-up concrete constructor by Engineering News-Record magazine, Tilt-Con’s scope of work included foundations, slab-on-grade and tilt-up concrete wall panels. The project was designed by Christopher B. Goble, Tulsa, OK. Tilt-Con’s South Florida office is located at 10601 State Street, Suite 10, Tamarac, FL 33321, phone 1-800-446-8458.

Contact: Kenneth H. Cristol, 407-774-2515

Record Attendance Expected at Sixth Annual International Hotel Conference

Numbers of High Profile Speakers and Guests Up from Previous Years

CHICAGO, Ill., USA/ROME, Italy—Officials of the International Hotel Conference say they are anticipating record participation of more than 300 hotel industry executives from over 50 countries, at the Sixth Annual International Hotel Conference, scheduled for October 15-17, 2008, at the Cavalieri Hilton (middle right photo) in Rome, Italy.


As one of the leading global gatherings in the hospitality industry, the International Hotel Conference is an occasion for owners, operators, brands, leading institutions, bankers, architects/designers, attorneys, brokers and other members of the hotel community to meet and discuss issues facing the worldwide hospitality industry.

“We’ve already exceeded last year’s registration numbers and expect a strong guest turnout as hoteliers meet to assess current trends and try to anticipate emerging ones that will impact the industry on local, regional and global levels,” said Morris E. Lasky, (top left photo) conference co-chairperson.

“Hoteliers are expanding into newer and more diverse sectors to take full advantage of the global market. We believe the conference topics, ranging from how to cope with the fluctuating global economy to building momentum in difficult markets, will be especially timely.”

One highlight of the conference will be the presentation of the “International Hotelier Global Citizen” Award to Georg R. Rafael, (bottom right photo) Managing Director of Rafael Group S.A.M., during the first general session on October 16.

The award recognizes an international hotelier for his/her leadership in the hospitality industry, as well as humanitarian contributions to society.

Rafael was selected by an industry-wide vote and will be awarded a €5,000 grant, which will be donated to Medecins Sans Frontiers (Doctors Without Borders), one of a number of charities actively supported by Rafael.

Last year’s inaugural award went to Hans W.R. Kennedie, president and CEO of the Golden Tulip Hospitality Group.

“This is by far the most expansive roster of speakers we have ever assembled, more than 100 hospitality industry specialists from more than 20 countries,” said Mary Lou Koys, conference co-chairperson.

“They will discuss the current direction of the industry and offer insightful forecasts. The setting and manageable size of the conference allow for plenty of face-to-face contact and networking opportunities with the world’s top hotel executives.”

Additional information about the event, registration, sponsorships and related activities can be found at the event’s Web site http://www.internationalhotelconference.com/, or by contacting the conference organizer, Morris Lasky at mlasky@aol.com.

Contact: Jerry Daly or Chris Daly, 001 703 435 6293

Jonathan Dwoskin Named Sales Manager of Marcus & Millichap's Detroit Office

DETROIT, MI – Marcus & Millichap Real Estate Investment Services, the nation’s largest real estate investment services firm, has named Jonathan Dwoskin (top right photo) sales manager of the Detroit office, according to Harvey E. Green, president and chief executive officer of Marcus & Millichap.

“Jonathan’s experience in the real estate investment industry will be a tremendous asset for our agents and clients as we continue our focus on providing superior client service throughout Southeastern Michigan and across the country,” comments Steven Chaben, (bottom left photo) first vice president and regional manager of the Detroit office.

Dwoskin joined the Detroit office in October 2002. Specializing in multi-family properties, he was named a member of the firm’s National Multi Family Group. Dwoskin was promoted to senior associate in February 2006 and was elevated to associate vice president investments in July 2008.

He has earned a National Achievement Award and three sales recognition awards and became a member of the firm’s prestigious Seven-Figure Club in 2008. Dwoskin earned a bachelor’s degree in economics and journalism from Eastern Michigan University.

Press Contact: Stacey Corso, Communications Department, (925) 953-1716

Most AIG Ratings' CreditWatch Status Revised To Developing; Short-Term Ratings Raised

NEW YORK, NY--Standard & Poor's Ratings Services has revised the CreditWatch status of most of its ratings on the AIG group of companies--including its 'A-' long-term counterparty credit ratings on American International Group Inc. (NYSE:AIG) and International Lease Finance Corp. (ILFC) and the 'A+' counterparty credit and financial strength ratings on most of AIG's insurance operating subsidiaries--to CreditWatch developing from CreditWatch negative.

Standard & Poor's also said that it raised its short-term counterparty ratings on AIG, its guaranteed subsidiaries, and ILFC to 'A-1' from 'A-2'.

In addition, Standard & Poor's lowered the ratings on various subsidiaries' preferred shares to 'B' from 'BBB'; the ratings on the preferred shares remain on CreditWatch negative because of the increased risk of deferral of dividend payments due to the right of the U.S. government to veto dividend payments.

The 'BBB/A-3' counterparty credit rating on American General Finance Corp. is unchanged. The outlook is negative.

The Federal Reserve Bank of New York (top left photo) also extended an $85 billion borrowing facility for AIG.

The facility has a 24-month term and is intended to assist the company in meeting its financial obligations during that term. The facility is secured by a pledge of all of the assets of AIG and its nonregulated subsidiaries as well as AIG's stock ownership interest in its regulated subsidiaries. The U.S. government will also receive a 79.9% equity interest in AIG, giving it effective control of the company.

"The Fed's actions will provide AIG with substantial relief from its near-term liquidity constraints," noted Standard & Poor's credit analyst Rodney A. Clark. (top right photo)

"We believe that the size of the facility greatly exceeds any near-term needs for liquidity."

The amount drawn from the facility will affect decisions on which businesses might be sold, and the result could either favorably or unfavorably affect AIG's competitive position and operating performance.

Most of the ratings are on CreditWatch developing to reflect the significant uncertainty in the near term as to any impact of recent events on AIG and its ability to attract and retain business as well as uncertainty as to which businesses might be sold to repay AIG's borrowings from the Fed.

"It is likely that the ratings on AIG and its various subsidiaries will move in different directions as these facts become more clear and strategic alignment within the insurance operations is more defined," Mr. Clark added.

"The ratings on the preferred shares remain on CreditWatch negative because of the right of the U.S. government under the terms of the agreement to veto dividends on any preferred shares. Any action on that right is uncertain but could occur with little warning at the government's discretion."

Media Contact: Jeff Sexton, New York, (1) 212 438 3448

jeff_sexton@standardandpoors.com

Analyst Contacts:
Rodney A Clark, FSA, New York (1) 212-438-7245
Steven Ader, New York (1) 212-438-1447
Kevin Ahern, New York (1) 212-438-7160