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Lane Hospitality Acquires of Two Hotels, Adds Two Management
Contracts During the First Half of 2007
NORTHBROOK, Ill., July 16, 2007 - Lane Hospitality of Northbrook, IL - one of the nation's leading management companies - reported today that it continued to grow its portfolio during the first half of 2007, with the acquisition of two hotels, engagement of two management contracts, and conversion and building of two additional hotels. With this recent growth, the company has also added several new senior staff members to its leadership team.
    
"Our momentum continues at an aggressive pace as we implement our growth and operating strategies," said Bill DeForrest, President and CEO of Lane Hospitality. "With outstanding associates, a high quality portfolio that represents the top hotel brands in the industry, and our track record of success, we plan on additional development for the remainder of this year and into 2008."
    
Lane Hospitality's accomplishments during the first half of 2007 include:

Acquisition of the Hilton hotel in Jackson, MS
This 273-room property is the area's premier hotel and has been continuously ranked among the top Hilton hotels in the U.S. for overall
guest experience and customer service.
   
Acquisition of the Marriott Courtyard hotel in St. Louis, MO
With extensive renovations completed just last year, this 122-room property is located in the heart of Town and Country, St. Louis' stylish western suburb.

Topping Off the new Crowne Plaza prototype hotel in Wauwatosa, WI
The Topping Off ceremony for the Crowne Plaza brand's new prototype was held outside of Milwaukee last month.  The hotel is on track to open spring 2008.
   
Conversion to a SpringHill Suites by Marriott in Oklahoma City, OK
Formerly an AmeriSuites and now known as the SpringHill Suites by Marriott Quail Springs, this 128-room hotel opened last month after an extensive renovation.
   
Engagement in a management contract with a Marriott hotel in Norwalk, CA
With a prime location on the Los Angeles and Orange County lines, this hotel is currently in the midst of a $5 million renovation.
   
Engagement in a management contract with a hotel in Toledo, OH
Formerly a Wyndham, this hotel is going through a $7 million renovation to become a Crowne Plaza and will open fall 2007.
    
Newly-Appointed Staff

With all the recent growth, there have been several additions to the company's leadership team, along with the promotion of Craig Larson to Regional Vice President. Larson, who joined the company in 1994, has supervised such award-winning hotels as the Hampton Inn & Suites in Newport News and the Comfort Inn in Gloucester, VA. He was also named Lane's "GM of the Year."
    
Newly-appointed staff include:
    
Rita Fritz, General Manager, Marriott Courtyard, St. Louis, MO Fritz has 25 years of experience in the hospitality industry. She has served in management capacities for several St. Louis area hotels including The Mayfair Hotel Downtown as Controller, TownePlace Suites by Marriott in Fenton as GM, Hampton Inn at Westport as GM, and Maryville Courtyard as Assistant GM. She was also Guest Service Manager for the St. Louis Marriott West.
    
Larry Hollingsworth, General Manager, Hilton Hotel, Jackson, MS A 34-year hospitality veteran, Hollingsworth has operated such hotels as the Hilton Seelbach Louisville, KY, Georgian Terrace Atlanta, GA, and Wynfrey Hotel Birmingham, AL. Most recently, he was President & CEO of John Conti Coffee Co. of Louisville. He is a graduate of Memphis State University and received the Dan Mangeot Memorial Fleur-de-lis tourism award.
    
Pierre Merhej, General Manager, Doubletree Hotel, Annapolis, MD With 22 years of experience managing full-service hotels and F&B operations, Merhej oversaw the Doubletree Hotel Lowell, MA, Radisson Hotel and Plymouth Memorial Hall, Plymouth, MA, a large concert venue and ballroom facility. He has a BS Degree in Hospitality Management and Associates Degree in Hotel & Restaurant Management, both from Johnson & Wales University.
    
Bob Orr, General Manager, Hilton Hotel, Grand Rapids Airport, MI With 15 years' hospitality experience, Orr has managed hotels throughout Michigan on behalf of White Lodging Services (i.e., Holiday Inn Select Grand Rapids Airport and Residence Inn Novi). He was named "GM of the Year," has received numerous Marriott sales and marketing awards, and was Director of Convention Sales for the Greater Lansing Convention & Visitors Bureau.
    
About Lane Hospitality
Formed by the Lane family in 1986, Lane Hospitality invests in and manages hotels for such brands as Marriott, Hilton, Intercontinental Hotels Group, Starwood and Radisson. With regional offices located in Chicago, IL, Houston, TX, and Newport News, VA, Lane Hospitality's focus is on the guest. The company challenges its associates to strive for those service deliveries that will best enhance the overall guest experience. Hotel Business rated Lane one of the fastest growing management companies in the U.S.; Hotels magazine selected Lane as one of the leading companies to watch in the hotel management industry, and National Real Estate Investor ranked Lane among the nation's top management companies. For additional information, visit http://www.lanehospitality.com.

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Contact:

Lane Hospitality
http://www.lanehospitality.com

 

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Also See: Lane Hospitality Executes Three Hotel Management Contracts / January 2005
David Merritt Appointed Senior Vice President of Development, Lane Hospitality / May 2004
Bill DeForrest Replaces John Rijos as President and CEO of Lane Hospitality / Oct 2000
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