�This is our opportunity to recognize the contributions our sales leaders have made to the success of our company in 2006,� said Andre Fournier, vice president of field sales for Destination. �Last year was a successful year for our company and our sales force did a tremendous job in meeting and exceeding their goals. We had numerous top performers in 2006, so it made this year�s decisions very difficult.� Fournier and Vice President of National Sales David Renker presided over the annual awards banquet where more than two dozen performance awards were granted.

Stephanie Zapata, national sales manager at Tarrytown House Estate and Conference Center, was named Outstanding Group Sales Performer � Hotels & Resorts for 2006. Zapata was selected for this award for exceeding 130 percent of her annual goal and demonstrating excellence in teamwork, business referrals and leadership. Pam Smith from Vail Cascade Resort at Spa in Colorado was recognized as the Outstanding Leisure Sales Performer � Hotels & Resorts for her productivity in securing key top accounts with many luxury retail travel providers, exuding outstanding customer service and exceeding her performance goals. The company also recognized Erin Peck from The Gant in Aspen, Colo. as Outstanding Sales Performer � Destination Resorts Rental Management. Peck continues to exceed performance expectations and provide superior customer service.

Destination also recognized its top sales leaders for both hotels and resorts, as well as the rental management division. Chris Miller, director of sales and marketing for the Doubletree Chicago O�Hare Airport � Rosemont, received the Outstanding Sales Leader � Hotels & Resorts award. Miller led his team to the top of the company in revenue per available room performance change by rebuilding an entire sales team and exceeded budgeted expectations. The Outstanding Sales Leader � Destination Resorts Rental Management was George Chumbly, director of sales and marketing for Destination Resorts Snowmass in Colorado who was recognized for his sales and marketing initiatives and innovative electronic promotions and distribution.

The top performing sales teams in the company were noted for their contributions and achievements in 2006. The Outstanding Sales Team of the Year award was given to sales force at The Inverness Hotel & Conference Center in Denver, Colo. for their tenacity, innovative spirit and overcoming several business obstacles. The Best Performance Top Line Revenue against Budget award was given to the sales team at Miramonte Resort & Spa for their 14.5 percent increase over projected budget. In the rental management category, Destination Resorts Vail was noted for its 8 percent increase in the same category. 

Additional achievements that were recognized during the awards banquet include:

• Rookie of the Year, Kerry McMahon from Hamilton Park Hotel & Conference Center (New Jersey)
• Outstanding Sales Advocacy Award, General Manager/Managing Director Greg Miller, Royal Palms Resort & Spa in Phoenix, Arizona
• National Sales Office � Outstanding Performer of the Year, Denise Simmons, New York Sales Office
• Outstanding Sales & Marketing Achievement � Lori Losasso, Destination Hotels & Resorts 
• Best Performance RevPAR Growth & Against Budget (Hotels & Resorts) � Wild Dunes (South Carolina)
• Best Performance RevPAR Growth & Against Budget (Rental Management) � Destination Resorts Snowmass (Colorado)
• Top Reservations Sales Team Shop Score Average � Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa (California)
• Outstanding Integrated Marketing Communications � Skamania Lodge (Washington)
• Outstanding Achievement � Overcoming Insurmountable Odds � Royal Palms Resort & Spa in Phoenix for its successful management of business during a major renovation
• Outstanding Customer Focus Award � Most Likely to Return � Hamilton Park Hotel & Conference Center (New Jersey)

�We�ve developed a direct sales focused organization that utilizes our network of sales professionals throughout our collection of more than 30 hotels and resorts, while allowing each of them to continue to excel at the property level,� said Fournier. �Our company�s philosophy is to make our properties strong, recognizable, individual brands. We�ve been able to do this while creating a sales force that is interdependent to achieve company-wide success.�

Destination Hotels & Resorts is a privately held lodging management company headquartered in suburban Denver, Colo. With 30 independent, luxury and upscale hotels, resorts and golf clubs, Destination is the fifth largest independent hospitality management company in the country. The company�s portfolio features more than 7,000 guest rooms, 13 golf courses and 10 full-service spas. Destination Hotels & Resorts properties are located in key metropolitan and resort markets including Washington, D.C., Houston, Chicago, Denver, Dallas, San Diego, Aspen, Austin, Phoenix, Palm Springs, Jackson Hole, Maui and Lake Tahoe. For more information on the properties in the Destination Hotels & Resorts collection, please visit www.destinationhotels.com.