News for the Hospitality Executive |
283-suite Embassy Suites® Norman � Hotel & Conference Center |
NORMAN, Okla. & SPRINGFIELD, Mo - July 2008 - As construction on Mr. John Q. Hammons� 10-story, 283-suite Embassy Suites® Norman � Hotel & Conference Center (www.embassysuitesnorman.com) nears completion with an anticipated late-October 2008 opening, the new executive team is on site at 2501 Conference Drive in Norman, Okla., to facilitate pre-opening sales and tours. The luxury hotel and adjacent conference center are owned by Mr. Hammons and managed by Springfield, Mo.-based John Q. Hammons Hotels & Resorts, the nation�s leading independent builder, developer, owner and manager of upscale, full-service hotels, resorts and suites (www.jqhhotels.com). . Under construction at I-35 at the new University North Park retail, entertainment and commercial development, two miles from the University of Oklahoma, the property will be the first Embassy Suites in the city of Norman. The addition of the Norman development to John Q. Hammons� growing national hotel and meeting space portfolio will make five properties in Oklahoma, including three in Oklahoma City and one in Tulsa. According to General Manager Jim Rickards, preopening sales are on track, reflecting the significant demand for high quality hotel and meeting space in the Norman area. Anthony Francisco, director of finance, city of Norman, and a member of the University North Park Tax Increment Finance Executive District Working Group, also commented on the pivotal role John Q. Hammons� development will play in Norman�s future success. "While touring the hotel and conference center recently, I was completely impressed by the modern, quality facility," Francisco said. �The John Q. Hammons venue has the potential to be the crowning jewel in the University North Park development so far and the strategic means for the Norman area to accommodate convention business for which we would not have been previously considered." The upscale facilities represent 75,000 gross square feet of combined, flexible meeting space, can easily accommodate groups with as many as 2,900 guests, and are available for touring with the executive team. Previously announced Rickards, also recently named Outstanding General Manager of the Year � Full Service by the Oklahoma Hotel & Lodging Association, is now joined by a full executive line-up including: � Assistant General Manager/Food & Beverage Paul Contomanolis: Contomanolis brings a wealth of food & beverage knowledge to the Norman hotel and conference center from his 25 years� experience as a hospitality and franchising development consultant, 15 years with Marriott, and career start with his family-owned restaurants on Long Island, N.Y.The hotel executive team is focusing on sales within the Norman area, as well as significant groups from within the region. The executive team is enthusiastic about the opening, and General Manager Rickards shared, �We look forward to providing our guests with the exceptional service for which John Q. Hammons� properties are known.� Springfield, Mo.-based John Q. Hammons Hotels & Resorts 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 77 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. John Q. Hammons has developed 203 hotels. For more information about John Q. Hammons Hotels & Resorts, please visit the company�s Web site at www.jqhhotels.com. |
Contact:
Embassy Suites Norman Hotel & Convention Center 2501 Conference Dr. Norman, Oklahoma 73069 Phone: (405) 364-8040 [email protected] www.embassysuitesnorman.com |
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