ATLANTA - April 16, 2003 -- Auburn University
has reached an agreement with The West Paces Hotel Group, L.L.C. to manage
the Auburn University Hotel and Dixon Conference Center.
"We see a unique
opportunity to transfer the knowledge we have gained over the past twenty
years in service, operational processes and understanding of the needs
of the meeting planner to the conference center business," said Horst Schulze,
President and Chief Executive Officer for The West Paces Hotel Group. He
added, "The Auburn Hotel and Dixon Conference Center marks our entry of
a planned expansion into the meeting and conference market"
Mr. Schulze is a co-founder and former president
of the internationally renowned Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company. Under |
Auburn University Hotel
241 South College Street
Auburn, Alabama |
Schulze's leadership, Ritz-Carlton achieved a world-class
reputation for service and won the prestigious Malcolm Baldrige National
Quality Award for service in 1992 and 1999.
The West Paces Hotel Group is based in Atlanta and
was founded in 2002 when several former senior Ritz-Carlton corporate staff
members joined Mr. Schulze.
John Russell, former General Manager of The Ritz-Carlton,
New Orleans, has been appointed as Vice President and General Manager for
the 247-room hotel and 22,000 square-foot conference center in Auburn.
"I am excited to be part of a new organization which
believes success is engaging the staff and involving them in the work processes.
We will strive to be the very best for the customer, owner, employee and
community," said Russell.
The Auburn Hotel is located on the campus of the
University and offers a full complement of amenities including conference
space, restaurant and lounge, room service and pool with workout area.
"There are a large number of conference center hotels
in the U.S. and we believe there is great opportunity for a management
company that is committed to providing excellent service focusing on meeting
and conference planners," Schulze stated. |