SILVER SPRING, Md. (April 13, 2003) -- Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE:CHH) has augmented its MainStay Suites franchise sales team with two seasoned industry professionals. As Choice Hotels franchise sales directors, Brian Ebbs and Mark Pearson will be responsible for selling MainStay Suites franchises in the eastern and midwestern regions of the U.S.  As a Choice Hotels franchise sales director, Ebbs is responsible for expansion of the MainStay Suites brand in the eastern part of the United States.  His hospitality career includes eight prior years with Choice when he worked in the company�s Marketing Department in addition to serving as both director of franchise services and marketing manager for Flag Hotels, Choice�s Australian franchise partner.  �Brian is truly an asset to our development team,� said Fran Taloricco, regional vice president, Franchise Sales.  �His vast marketing and sales experience positions him well to

Brian Ebbs -- Mark Pearson

As a new franchise sales director for Choice Hotels, Mark Pearson is responsible for the expansion of the MainStay Suites brand in the midwestern region of the United States.  Pearson formerly was employed by the Cendant Corporation, overseeing new construction hotel development of the Wingate and Super 8 brands in the midwest.  He was the recipient of Cendant�s Rookie of the Year Award in 2000 and the Salesman of the Year Award in 2002.

�We are very pleased to welcome Mark to Choice�s development team. His impressive hotel development experience and proven track record of results will significantly boost expansion of the MainStay Suites brand throughout the midwest,� said  Taloricco. 

Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE:CHH) franchises more than 5,000 hotels open and under development worldwide under the Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, Quality, Sleep Inn, Clarion, MainStay Suites, Econo Lodge and Rodeway Inn brands in 42 countries and territories. 

Choice Hotels
10750 Columbia Pike
Silver Spring, Md. 20901
attn: Niyonu Greene
(301) 592-5052