WASHINGTON, May 2, 2001 - Avendra, LLC, announced today it has executed definitive documents that add Bass Hotels & Resorts, ClubCorp, USA, Inc., and Fairmont Hotels & Resorts as founders. They join Marriott International, Inc., (NYSE: MAR - news) and Hyatt Hotels Corporation, which formed the venture in early 2001. Avendra is an independent company providing the largest, most comprehensive procurement network for the North American hospitality and related industries, a market estimated at $80 billion annually.
�Because Avendra combines the purchasing power of the world leaders in hospitality and related industries, we are able to provide our customers and suppliers the largest, most comprehensive purchasing network available,� said Dennis Baker, president and chief operating officer of Avendra.

In total, Avendra�s customer base now exceeds 1,600 hotels, representing 300,000 rooms, and more than 250 golf courses and clubs. Avendra�s programs are supported by nearly 500 suppliers, representing more than 700,000 items.
�Avendra�s purchasing solutions are the best, most effective and holistic in approach on the market today. Since their managers come directly from the hospitality industry, they truly understand our business and bring programs to our attention that will help streamline our operations,� said Jim Hinkley, ClubCorp USA, Inc. president. �Their understanding of our business needs and attention to our operating methods has made working with Avendra easy and profitable.�

Ravi Saligram, Brand President, The Americas for Bass Hotels & Resorts, said, �Becoming a co-founder in Avendra will provide significant opportunities for Bass to drive process efficiencies in supply chain management. The alliance of these powerful hospitality companies provides such critical mass that it presents potential cost savings not only in our owned and managed hotel estate, but also for our franchisees, who can benefit from this relationship as well.�

Avendra now manages the centralized procurement business for all five of its founders. Through these companies� owned, managed and franchised properties, Avendra has immediate access to serve more than 4,000 hotels (650,000 hotel rooms) and 250 clubs in North America, which together purchase over $10 billion annually in goods and services. In addition, Avendra currently serves almost 500 franchised properties not affiliated with the founders� brands, and plans to significantly expand this business in the future.
�This is a major milestone for Avendra, as we can now shift our focus from formation to executing our business plan to serve our existing customers and suppliers,� said Baker. �By leveraging the purchasing power of these five great companies, along with the hospitality experience of our staff, Avendra offers its customers and suppliers a full range of benefits and solutions made possible through its scale and expertise. This is a tremendous platform from which to serve the broader market,� said Baker.

Avendra offers established purchasing programs to the hospitality and related industries across a variety of categories, including food and beverage, rooms, operating supplies, engineering and maintenance, building and construction, technology and administrative supplies, management services, retail and golf supplies and services, and furniture, fixtures and equipment. Avendra helps operators to meet their financial needs, streamline their purchasing function, and provide a consistent, high quality product to its customers.

In addition, Avendra offers its customers the flexibility to conduct their procurement business through a variety of methods, be it phone, fax, or the Internet. Avendra�s unique combination of scale, operational expertise, supply chain management skills, and leading e-commerce technology provide customers with proven programs that work.

AVENDRA LLC is a leading professional procurement services company serving the North American hospitality market and related industries. An independent company, Avendra was established by Marriott International, Hyatt Hotels Corporation, ClubCorp USA, Inc., Bass Hotels & Resorts, Inc. and Fairmont Hotels & Resorts. By combining the significant volume of its customers� purchases with the operational knowledge and expertise of its experienced staff, Avendra creates purchasing programs that offer its customers the right product and service at highly competitive prices. 

Customers choose their preferred method for transactions including by phone, fax or via the Internet. The company is headquartered in the Washington, D.C. area and has regional offices throughout the United States and Canada. 

This press release contains �forward-looking statements� within the meaning of federal securities law, including statements concerning business strategies and their intended results, and similar statements concerning anticipated future events and expectations that are not historical facts.