The Rocky River municipal course is next to the $60 million, 308-suite Embassy Suites Hotel® Charlotte-Concord Resort and Spa and adjoining 42,000-square-foot Concord Convention Center (www.embassysuitesconcord.com) being developed by Mr. John Q. Hammons, founder, chairman and chief executive officer of John Q. Hammons Hotels & Resorts, LLC.  The hotel and convention center are slated to open in early 2007, bolstering the more than 800 suites and 55,000 square feet of meeting space currently operated by John Q. Hammons Hotels & Resorts in North Carolina.  Each property in North Carolina managed by the company has been recognized within the hospitality industry and their respective brands for outstanding quality service and upholding a commitment to excellence. 

�Bringing the golf club under our management along with the hotel and convention center creates an attractive package to convention planners and tourists, further strengthening the city�s prospering tourism economy,� Mr. Hammons said.  �I�m confident that John Q. Hammons Hotels & Resorts will continue to build the quality reputation of the Rocky River Golf Club, contributing to the city of Concord�s efforts to promote the area as a premier destination.� 

According to the Travel Industry Association, 3 percent of tourists who traveled to North Carolina in 2005 played golf, and business travel in 2005 accounted for 30 percent of North Carolina�s tourism.  Once the convention center opens, additional tee-times will be announced to accommodate anticipated increased traffic.  Under the new contract, Rocky River will remain a municipal course with no course rate increases, unless approved by the City Council.   

�We believe that the agreement between Mr. Hammons and the city will be advantageous to all.  It is our expectation that the quality of service and the experience a golfer will have at Rocky River will continue to thrive as part of this arrangement.  The staff who will be operating the course, including General Manager Terry Crawford, are experienced in managing a top-rated course such as Rocky River.  We welcome citizens and visitors to come play a round,� said Concord Mayor Scott Padgett. 

The Rocky River Golf Club is located near Interstate 85 on Speedway Boulevard with convenient access to Concord Mills Mall.  Designed by Dan Maples, the course has been ranked among the state�s top 100 golf courses and is the premier municipal course in the Charlotte metropolitan area.  The property includes practice facilities, The Stonehouse Grill, Rocky River Clubhouse and a pro shop. 

Five-year Partnership

Lowe�s Motor Speedway and the Embassy Suites Hotel® Charlotte-Concord Resort and Spa today announced their five-year partnership, effective January 2007.  As a part of the agreement, the 308-suite, upscale property will be the official hotel of the speedway.  

Lowe�s Motor Speedway is located approximately a half-mile from the hotel property.  The speedway hosts three NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series events, two NASCAR Bush Series races, and a NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race on its 1.5-mile superspeedway.  Under the marketing agreement, Embassy Suites Hotel Charlotte-Concord Resort and Spa will have an exclusive hotel booking link on Lowe�s Motor Speedway�s website (www.lowesmotorspeedway.com), which receives 1.7 million worldwide visitors annually.  The hotel will also serve as official host for the speedway�s NASCAR NEXTEL Media Tour in January, which kicks-off the racing season.  More than 200 media members are expected to attend. 

�It�s a privilege to be named a member of the NASCAR community and to share in the passion and enthusiasm of the fans and those reporting on the sport,� said Terry Crawford, general manager of the Embassy Suites Hotel Charlotte-Concord Resort and Spa.  �We are confident that our hotel will consistently provide a high-quality stay as NASCAR fans seek an overall memorable experience.� 

The $60 million Embassy Suites Hotel Charlotte-Concord Resort and Spa and adjoining Concord Convention Center are slated to open in early 2007.

�John Q. Hammons Hotels & Resorts shares our mission of providing an exceptional fan experience and has an excellent reputation for upholding high standards of quality service,� said Dan Farrell, senior vice president, corporate sales and marketing for Lowe�s Motor Speedway.  �By our partnering with the Embassy Suites Hotel Charlotte-Concord Resort and Spa our fans will have a great time at or away from the track.� 

The Lowe�s Motor Speedway track includes stadium-style seating for more than 165,000, 113 luxury suites, the Fleetwood RV Camping Resort and a gift shop.  Recently the track added a garage area for the NASCAR Busch Series, a state-of-the-art media facility and additional restrooms and showers in the infield.  These additions are all part of a long-term project calling for infrastructure improvements, spectator amenities and the development of adjacent land for possible commercial real estate ventures. 

The Embassy Suites Hotel Charlotte-Concord Resort and Spa and adjoining Concord Convention Center will overlook the Rocky River Golf Club.  The hotel will offer 308 deluxe suites with the convention center providing 42,000 square feet of flexible meeting space.  

Springfield, Mo.-based John Q. Hammons Hotels & Resorts, LLC is the nation�s leading independent builder, developer, owner and manager of upscale, full-service hotels, resorts and suites, including:  Embassy Suites Hotels, Renaissance, Marriott, Radisson, Residence Inn, Homewood Suites by Hilton, Holiday Inn and Courtyard by Marriott brands.  With 64 hotels strategically located near demand generators, such as state capitals, universities, airports, corporate headquarters or office parks in secondary and tertiary markets, John Q. Hammons Hotels & Resorts� properties are dominant in their markets.  Over the course of his impressive career in the hotel business, Mr. Hammons has developed 175 hotels.  

Scott Tarwater
John Q. Hammons Hotels & Resorts, LLC
(417) 873-3591
[email protected]
www.jqhhotels.com