May 13, 2003 - DANVILLE, Ill.--The owners of the former Ramada Inn in east Danville have decided not to renew their franchise contract. The hotel will now be called the Danville Inn and Conference Center. 

General Manager Penny Hinderliter said the name change took place on May 1 because owners saw no need to continue the partnership with Ramada. 

"We were seeing more benefit from our Web site and other marketing tools that allowed us not to have to keep the franchise name," she said. 

"A lot of the business we do is from our community and the Danville Area Visitors' and Convention Bureau. It doesn't have anything to do with the Ramada name at that point." 

Jeanie Cooke, executive director of the Danville Area Visitors' and Convention Bureau, said she sees no reason why the name change would affect tourism. 

"I don't anticipate this being a problem bringing events to the Danville area," she said. "We have such a busy summer and fall coming that we are certainly going to need all the hotel space we have. The tourism industry has been on a steady climb." 

The convention bureau has close to 100 events throughout the summer, including 72 different tournaments and activities just in June. 

Guests will see firsthand a light remodeling project intended to spruce up the hotel's interior. 

Fresh carpet, bathroom tiles and fixtures are some of the improvements, Hinderliter said. 

Renovations could take the remainder of the summer, she said, but the hotel will continue operating. 

The bright red Ramada Inn signage still hangs over the hotel; however, two white banners notify passing drivers and customers about the new name. 

"A lot of sign companies in town are busy," Hinderliter said about the delayed new sign. "We're working on getting it now." 

Lake City Management Company of Grand Rivers, Ky., is the owner of the Danville Inn and Conference Center. The 128-room hotel has an indoor spa, a 500-person capacity banquet room, off-track betting and an airport shuttle. 

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