BRANSON, Mo.-August 17, 2011-John Q. Hammons Hotels & Resorts’ award-winning Chateau on the Lake Resort, Spa & Convention Center has hired 19-year hospitality veteran Simeon Ebedes as director of sales. Ebedes will report to Stephen Marshall, vice president and general manager of the 10-story, 301-room/suite luxury resort located on a beautiful Ozark mountaintop.

At Branson’s only AAA Four-Diamond resort and spa, Ebedes will be responsible for overseeing the sales and catering department. His role includes an emphasis on increasing group sales along with related room nights and revenue.

Most recently, Ebedes served as director of sales at Big Cedar Lodge, located 10 miles outside of Branson. His career spans The Palace of the Lost City Hotel and The Cascades Hotel in Sun City, South Africa; Water’s Edge Resort and Spa in Connecticut; Orchards Inn at L’ Auberge de Sedona in Arizona; and Aquila Lodging in Dallas. Ebedes holds a Bachelor of Science in hospitality administration from Southern New Hampshire University in New Hampshire and a National Diploma in hotel management from Johannesburg Hotel School in South Africa.

“Simeon is a strategic addition to the exceptional Chateau team. His vast hospitality experience not only includes the Branson area, but also transcends continents. He has a personable style, an enthusiastic approach to selling, and a solid track record for establishing relationships for optimum business growth,” Marshall said.

About Chateau on the Lake Resort, Spa & Convention Center
Luxury, old-world charm and refined amenities await guests at the Chateau on the Lake Resort, Spa & Convention Center, which was designed with the discriminating traveler in mind. Visitors to this grand resort ─ known as the "Castle in the Ozarks" ─ experience the finest in world-class hospitality, first-class Branson lodging, and the enchanting allure of the Chateau's personal touches.

Located five miles from Branson’s entertainment center, high atop a mountain overlooking Table Rock Lake, Chateau on the Lake features 301 graciously appointed rooms and suites that offer luxurious amenities. Balconies with spectacular views of the lake, resort marina, and bounteous gardens enhance guest accommodations. With 43,500 square feet of meeting space, the property represents the largest combined meeting facilities of any hotel in Branson. Visitors are greeted by 10 hand-painted murals, which grace the 27-foot-high ceiling of the 32,000-square-foot Great Hall ─ a lavish and frequent setting for weddings. Waterfalls in the 10-story atrium are eye-catching, while the property’s Sweet Shoppe is popular for its decadent selection of pastries and frozen desserts. The resort’s Library Lounge, a popular evening spot for travelers and locales, adds to the relaxing atmosphere.

Recognized as a premier spa, the $6 million, 14,000-square-foot Spa Chateau is a palace of pure indulgence, where signature treatments blend rich elements of the Ozarks with exotic European therapies. The spa lobby features a 30-foot Swarovski crystal waterfall chandelier with 25,000 crystals.

To make a hotel reservation or to book a group function at Chateau on the Lake, call 1-888-333-LAKE (5253), contact your travel agent, or visit the resort’s website at www.chateauonthelakebranson.com. The property can be booked on TravelCLICK’s iStay booking engine and under the following GDS codes: Apollo/Galileo LM 83422, Sabre LM 35627, and Worldspan LM 02396.

About John Q. Hammons Hotels & Resorts
Springfield, Mo.-based John Q. Hammons Hotels & Resorts is the largest private, independent owner and manager of hotels in the United States, representing brands such as: Chateau on the Lake Resort, Spa & Convention Center; Courtyard by Marriott; Embassy Suites Hotels; Hampton Inn & Suites; Hilton; Holiday Inn; Homewood Suites by Hilton; Marriott; Plaza Hotels Collection; Radisson; Renaissance; Residence Inn by Marriott; and Sheraton. With a portfolio of 78 hotels representing nearly 19,000 guest rooms/suites in 24 states, John Q. Hammons Hotels & Resorts’ properties are dominant in their markets. Founded on the extraordinary vision of John Q. Hammons and built on his legacy of excellence spanning more than 50 years, John Q. Hammons Hotels & Resorts has become one of the most recognized and award-winning companies in the hospitality industry. Built to be the best, John Q. Hammons Hotels & Resorts continues to set the standard in hospitality management and hotel development. For more information about John Q. Hammons Hotels & Resorts, please visit the company’s website at www.jqhhotels.com or www.facebook.com/jqhhotelsresorts.