Press Release - July 20, 2009

WHITE LODGING GENERAL MANAGERS WIN MULTIPLE MARRIOTT AWARDS

Five White Lodging General Managers Take Home Awards at the 2008 Marriott’s NALO Eastern & Central Regions’ GM Awards Ceremony

MERRILLVILLE, IN   (July 20, 2009) – White Lodging General Managers Tom Underwood, Nabil Salloum, Steve Sines, Michael Howerton, and Dave Kennedy were all recently recognized and awarded at the 2008 Marriot’s NALO Eastern and Central Regions’ Full Service General Manager Awards ceremonies.

Tom Underwood, from Richmond Marriott, was awarded the prestigious “Mustang” award, designed to recognize General Managers who have overcome tremendous adversity. Tom and his team were honored for achieving exceptional business results and maintaining high levels of customer satisfaction even while undergoing a change in ownership, new management company, and a major renovation of the property.

The Richmond Marriott renovation began in July of 2008 and is scheduled to be completed this September. Even throughout these trying circumstances, Tom and his team were able to improve their GSS scores from red to consistent green. “It’s a great honor to receive this award after a year of transition and renovation,” said Tom. “I am so proud of my team and we are excited to return the hotel to being the premiere hotel in Richmond.”

Nabil Salloum, from the Renaissance Plantation, was awarded the “Spirit to Serve Our Guests” award. This award recognizes General Managers whose hotels lead in elite guest recognition, overall staff service, and problem resolution. “We are delighted to be recognized for this award,” said Nabil. “It tells me that our associates are empowered to do what it takes to take care of all of our guests, especially our Elite Reward Members, and when something goes wrong they are quick to take ownership of the problem and resolve it to the guests’ satisfaction.”

Steve Sines, from Auburn Hills Marriott Pontiac, was awarded the “Leadership Excellence” award. This award is designed to recognize General Managers who have demonstrated exemplary leadership, have made extraordinary contributions to the business, and have made and influenced decisions that protect and cultivate Marriott’s corporate culture. In 2008, while the auto industry was on hold and top-line revenue was down, the Auburn Hills Marriott Pontiac was able to drastically increase their Revpar index, guest scores, and event satisfaction scores, all while reducing wages. “It was a surprise and honor to win such a prestigious award,” said Steve. “It is great recognition for the managers and associates who were very focused on being the best during very trying times. I’m very proud of my team.”

Dave Kennedy, of the Renaissance Broomfield, was also awarded the “Leadership Excellence” award, as well as the “Food and Beverage Excellence” award, which recognizes General Managers who have demonstrated creativity and innovation to maximize guests’ food & beverage experience and drive exceptional business results. His hotel was also honored with the “Staff Service Excellence” award for finishing in the top three in the brand for overall satisfaction and overall staff service; and the “Problem Experience Excellence” award for having the #1 GSS score related to hotel guests experiencing a problem during their stay. “We appreciate the fact that the Renaissance Broomfield is a beautiful, well designed, well maintained building,” said Dave. “However, it is with great satisfaction that we accept these four awards that are all about SERVICE and TEAM performance.”

Michael Howerton, of the Louisville Marriott Downtown, was awarded the “Spirit to Serve Our Community” award, which recognizes General Managers whose hotel teams have made extraordinary efforts and achieved exceptional results with programs to better the communities in which they do business. In 2006, Michael introduced a campaign called “WE CARE”, which has allowed the Louisville Marriott Downtown to partner with multiple community organizations including the American Red Cross, Salvation Army, American Heart Association, and many more. “As important and necessary as market share, profits and even guest satisfaction are to the success of the hotel, the involvement in giving back to the community in which you live and do business is uniquely rewarding,” said Michael.

Michael was also awarded the “Sales Leadership” award, which recognizes him for showing great sales expertise and being personally involved in advancing the sales efforts at his hotel and achieving excellent results. “I can’t adequately express my pride in the achievements of our sales team,” he said. “They understand that true success in sales is derived from a combination of a well executed, strategic, team effort and great credibility with the clients.”

For more information about hotel operations job opportunities or hotel management careers with White Lodging, please visit careers.whitelodging.com or call 219-769-3267.

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