Concord Hospitality Awarded Top Honors at Annual Marriott Owner’s Conference

RALEIGH, N.C., December 26, 2012—Concord Hospitality Enterprises, one of the nation’s top-ranked hotel developer/owner/operators, announced that the company received three awards at the recent Marriott CFRST (Courtyard, Fairfield Inn and Suites, Residence Inn, SpringHill Suites and TownePlace Suites) Owner’s Conference held in Phoenix, Ariz. Concord was one of only four companies to receive multiple awards, including Marriott’s inaugural Spirit to Preserve Award recognizing excellence in sustainability.
“We value Concord Hospitality’s leadership in the design and management of our select service brands,” said Liam Brown, Marriott’s chief officer owner and franchise services. “Mark Laport and his team are partners in every sense of the word, and through their collaborations with our designers and project managers have contributed greatly to the success of our brands.”
Winners of Marriott’s awards are chosen by committee and are based on several criteria, including performance metrics, adherence to brand standards and collaboration to improve upon brand standards.
Marriott’s Spirit to Preserve award was presented to Concord in recognition of its long-standing commitment to developing LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified hotels. Concord currently has five LEED-certified hotels in its portfolio with six more in its pipeline, and Concord’s energy models require a minimum of 20% less energy than required by local code. Concord’s hotels also participate in Clean the World, a global initiative that recycles hotel amenities into soap that is distributed around the world where hygiene-related diseases are an issue. Concord also maintains an intranet website with programs and resources for hotels and associates.
“In addition to its own initiatives, Concord is a tremendous role model for other hotel owners and a true partner in Marriott’s efforts to address the emerging customer demand for environmental stewardship,” said Karl Grover, vice president Residence Inn and TownePlace Suites.
Concord’s SpringHill Suites Pittsburgh Latrobe, a joint venture with Arnold Palmer in the golfing legend’s home town, claimed awards for Design Excellence and Best Opening. The design excellence award recognized the company’s achievements in implementing the latest SpringHill Suite design standards while simultaneously localizing the experience. The best opening award was given based upon pre-opening business metrics, including employee training and readiness.
“We love to give guests a sense of place at our hotels,” said Callette Nielsen, vice president and global brand manager, SpringHill Suites by Marriott “Concord not only incorporated the latest generation room concepts, which they helped design, but improved on it by customizing the experience. Guests definitely get the sense that they’re in Arnold Palmer’s back yard.”
“Over the past several years, Concord’s growth has been enhanced by tremendous partnerships, like our affiliation with Marriott,” said Mark Laport, Concord’s CEO. “It is particularly rewarding to have your efforts recognized by one of the most influential leaders in our industry.”
Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE: MAR) is a leading lodging company based in Bethesda, Maryland, USA with more than 3,700 properties in 74 countries and territories and reported revenues of over $12 billion in fiscal year 2011. The company operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts under 18 brands, including Marriott Hotels & Resorts, The Ritz-Carlton, JW Marriott, Bulgari, EDITION, Renaissance, Gaylord Hotels, Autograph Collection, AC Hotels by Marriott, Courtyard, Fairfield Inn & Suites, SpringHill Suites, Residence Inn, TownePlace Suites, Marriott Executive Apartments, Marriott Vacation Club, Grand Residences by Marriott, and The Ritz-Carlton Destination Club. There are approximately 300,000 employees at headquarters, managed and franchised properties. Marriott is consistently recognized as a top employer and for its superior business operations, which it conducts based on five core values: put people first, pursue excellence, embrace change, act with integrity, and serve our world. For more information or reservations, please visit our website at www.marriott.com, and for the latest company news, visit www.marriottnewscenter.com.

About Concord Hospitality
Concord Hospitality Enterprises Company, an award-winning hotel management and development company based in Raleigh, N.C., manages 90 upscale select-service and full-service hotels offering more than 12,000 guest rooms in 24 states and two Canadian provinces. The company operates hotels and resorts under such well-known industry elite brands as Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt, Starwood, and Choice Hotels, as well as select independent boutique hotels. Formed in 1985, Concord is routinely listed among the nation’s top management companies and recently won some of the industry’s top honors from Marriott International and Hyatt. Concord properties are some of the most awarded hotels in the country, having won nearly 100 top honors in the past two years. For more information, visit www.concordhotels.com.