Microtel Inn & Suites, Maggie Valley, N.C. is Microtel's Hotel of the Year; Dee Smith of the Colorado Springs Microtel Inn & Suites is General Manager of the Year / Feb 2000

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Microtel Inn & Suites, Maggie Valley, N.C. is
Microtel's Hotel of the Year;
Dee Smith of the Colorado Springs Microtel Inn & Suites
is General Manager of the Year

ATLANTA (Feb. 25, 2000) � More than 200 present and future owners of Microtel Inn & Suites properties from around the world attended the 2000 Microtel Owners Conference, held earlier this month in Atlanta, Ga. The conference, with a �Meet the Family� theme, honored outstanding members and focused on the marketing plan for 2000 and beyond. Other highlights included a trade show and �InfoForum,� the debut of the Microtel Extranet, an address by travel expert Arthur Frommer, and informational breakout sessions.

Mike Leven, president and CEO of U.S. Franchise Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq: USFS), franchisor of the Microtel brand, said that response from attending franchisees has been positive. Hitesh Patel of the Colorado Springs, Colo. Microtel, for example, commented that he �liked the �Family� theme because it brought everything together.� Brad Wiens of the Overland Park, Kan. Microtel, said, �I appreciated the company trying to create a �family� culture and think it was well-received by franchisees.�

According to Vinay Patel, vice president of marketing for Microtel, who led the general session, this was the first time that members of the Microtel family were recognized for outstanding achievement in five categories. The three nominees for each category and winners were:

Community Service of the Year Award

Maggie Valley, N.C. Microtel , Hazel and Ernie Ulmer, owners
Moore, Okla. Microtel, T.G. Patel, owner
Newport News, Va. Microtel, Dale Goodman, owner

The winner, the Moore, Okla. Microtel Inn & Suites, was quick to respond when the devastating tornadoes hit Oklahoma in Spring 1999. The property, filled with those left homeless, organized a �Microtel Meal� for guests and emergency workers who assisted with the massive clean-up.

General Manager of the Year

Mickey Bhakta, Natchitoches, La. Microtel
Dee Smith, Colorado Springs, Colo. Microtel
Michele Spencer, Lawrenceville, Ga. Microtel

The winner, Dee Smith of the Colorado Springs Microtel Inn & Suites, successfully pre-booked over 2000 room nights before the hotel even opened. Smith, an active member of the �Colorado Springs community, was the first woman elected chairperson of the local CVB.

Developer of the Year

Todd and Larry Bernhardt, Bernhardt Construction
William �Bill� Cull, Economy Hotels
Jeffery Keenan, Pocomo Development

The winners, Todd and Larry Bernhardt of McAlester, Oka.-based Bernhardt Construction have two Microtels in McAlester, one opening this month in nearby Idebel, a second opening in April in Broken Bow, Okla. and three more in development in Durant, Muskogee and Pryor, Okla.

Hotel of the Year

Charleston/Mt. Pleasant, S.C., Raman Patel, Owner
Rochester, N.Y., Tom Larson, Owner
Maggie Valley, N.C., Hazel and Ernie Ulmer, Owners

The winner, the Maggie Valley, N.C. Microtel Inn & Suites, is one of only two Microtel properties to score a near perfect 499 out of 500 in quality assurance. The Ulmers recently sponsored a fundraising event for an employee�s child who needed a kidney replacement. They also host annual Christmas and Halloween parties for local children.

Franchisee of the Year

Tom Larson, Larson Investments
Steve Olson, Leisure Hotels Corp.
Nash Patel, Primero MT Company

The winner was Tom Larson, president of Eau Claire, Wis.- based Larson Investments, which opened its first Microtel in 1997 in Rochester, Minn. Larson has since opened three more Microtels in Onalaska, Wis., and Eagan and Bloomington, Minn., and has Microtels in development in Fridley, Maple Grove and Plymouth, Minn.

In related news, Franchise Advisory Council (FAC) elections were also held. New FAC members include John Mooney of Essex Partners, Tom Larson and Ernie Ulmer. They join current members William Cull, Brian Hamilton of Hamilton Company, Stanley Jones of Midwest Hotel Conference Center, Richard Meyers of KAM Properties, Hitesh Patel of the Colorado Springs, Colo. Microtel, and Thomas Talley of French Quarter Properties.

Microtel is the nation�s fastest growing chain of all newly-constructed, interior corridor, budget/ economy hotels.

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Contact:
Barbara Wiener
U.S. Franchise Systems, Inc.
(404) 235-7400
[email protected]

Also See:	Microtel Inn & Suites Named Top Budget Brand in Value and Physical Appearance by Business Travel News / March 1999
	Patel, Welch and Hymans Appointed as Brand Vice Presidents at U.S. Franchise Systems / Nov 1999
	U.S. Franchise Systems Receives Prestigious 'Cutting Edge' Award from AH&MA / April 1999

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