Lodging Hospitality magazine named Baymont Inns & Suites the winner of its 2003 Chain Leadership Award for Marketing. The honor came for Baymont Inns & Suites' efforts to make the nation's highways safer through its Drive Revived� program.

Drive Revived is a national effort on the part of Baymont Inns & Suites� 182 properties in which any motorist who feels tired can stop in, wherever he or she sees the Baymont Inns & Suites sign, and enjoy a free cup of coffee or a bottle of water.

"Our highways can be made safer by providing fatigued and sleepy drivers with a safe place to take a break," said Jim Abrahamson, president of Baymont Inns & Suites. "Drive Revived is an effort to reduce accidents, injuries and fatalities by letting tired drivers know they can stop at any Baymont Inns & Suites property and get revived."

Grace Wagner, senior editor at Lodging Hospitality, said the Drive Revived program really stood out among the many programs embarked upon by the country's lodging companies.

"We thought Drive Revived showed creativity and concern on the part of Baymont Inns & Suites,� Wagner said. "They are putting the safety of everyone first and recognizing that lodging chains can do things that are not designed just to increase market share. This program is designed first to create safer highways."

Ed Watkins, editor-in-chief of Lodging Hospitality, said Drive Revived is indicative of a forward thinking corporate philosophy.

"Innovation is the currency that successful chains use to procure guests and retain loyalty," Watkins said. "This is an innovative program."

Franchisees embrace program

Craig Farrell, senior vice president of marketing at Baymont Inns & Suites, said he was particularly pleased with the immediate and enthusiastic reception the Drive Revived program received from the brand's franchisees.

"Winning this award validates the decision made by all of our hotels to embrace Drive Revived," Farrell said. "Baymont Inns & Suites understands the importance of being proactive on safety issues."

Farrell said Drive Revived is the result of hard work on the corporate level to bring about a program that matched the position of strength Baymont Inns & Suites has attained in the nation's lodging industry.

"We were looking for something that was going to set us apart from the pack," Farrell said. "Our mission is to do things that are unique. We like to be on the cutting edge of innovation."

Abrahamson said Baymont Inns & Suites has a strong concern for all of the country's travelers, not just those who stay at a Baymont Inns & Suites hotel.  The company also maintains a separate website, www.driverevived.com, that details the program and its efforts to creating awareness about the seriousness of drowsy drivers.

"Even if tired motorists are not staying overnight at a Baymont Inns & Suites hotel, we understand their safety and the safety of others depends on being awake and alert," Abrahamson said. "We want motorists who feel tired to see the Baymont Inns & Suites sign as a chance to take a break and then drive revived."

Abrahamson also praised the work of Lodging Hospitality.

"The fact that one of our industry's publications takes the time to recognize chains for their creativity is important," he said. "This validation of our efforts is truly an honor of us."

About Baymont Inns & Suites
Baymont Inns & Suites continues to be a leading brand in the mid-market segment. The brand offers a 110-percent Satisfaction Guarantee, and has made a huge investment in its frequent-stay program�Guest Ovations��with more than 200,000 members and growing. Under the guarantee, a dissatisfied guest receives his or her night's stay free, plus a coupon for a 10-percent discount on the next Baymont stay. In addition, Baymont�s Ovations Rooms offer upscale amenities not found in competitive mid-market hotels, such as plush pillow-top mattresses, Down Lite� pillows, fluffy towels, branded bath products, and free in-room bottled water. The rooms also feature an enhanced workstation with an executive-sized desk, comfortable ergonomic chair and task lamp with a data port. The bottom line: Baymont is a strong brand with a strong commitment to the success of its franchisees, offering rewarding, comfortable and pleasant stays for guests.

Headquartered in Milwaukee, Wis., Baymont Inns & Suites, a mid-priced lodging chain that operates or franchises 183 locations in 31 states nationwide, is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Marcus Corporation (NYSE: MCS). For more information on The Marcus Corporation, go to www.marcuscorp.com. For more information, visit www.baymontinns.com.