Hammons Celebrates Topping- out of New Courtyard by Marriott
Dallas-Frisco Hotel & Conference Center in Texas
MARCH 2, 2009 - John Q. Hammons Hotels & Resorts was joined by Crossland Construction, The Village at Allen and area officials yesterday for the topping out of the new Courtyard by Marriott Dallas-Allen Hotel & Conference Center in Allen, Texas.
Scheduled to open in fall 2009, the nine-story, 228-room/suite hotel and adjoining 15,000-net-square-foot conference center is owned by Mr. John Q. Hammons and will be operated by Springfield, Mo.-based John Q. Hammons Hotels & Resorts (www.jqhhotels.com), the nation's leading independent builder, developer, owner and manager of upscale, full-service hotels, resorts and suites. The development is expected to represent 125 new jobs in the area with recruitment fairs planned for late summer 2009.
Bob Fugazi, regional vice president for John Q. Hammons Hotels & Resorts, presided over topping-out festivities, recognizing 50 percent completion of the hotel and event space project. Mayor Stephen Terrell, city of Allen, commented on the hotel being the tallest building from Allen to the Oklahoma border, resulting in spectacular views. The more than 150 attendees had the opportunity to sign an 8-foot beam featuring the American and Texas flags flanking a 6-foot evergreen tree to symbolize growth and to bring luck to the venture. Attendees also participated in hard hat tours of the extensive meeting and convention space.
During the event, Fugazi introduced Stacy Polk as hotel director of sales and the first member of the facilities' executive team. An Allen-native, Polk brings extensive experience with Marriott International, Inc., most recently as western region area director of sales, including sales responsibilities for several Courtyard by Marriott hotels. Throughout her hospitality career, Polk has been honored with numerous achievement awards, including the esteemed Steven G. Marriott Sales & Culture Leadership Award, only given to one in 150,000 Marriott associates worldwide each year.
'Celebrating the topping out of the Courtyard by Marriott Dallas-Allen Hotel & Conference Center is a testament to John Q. Hammons' commitment to the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex. The property will represent our fifth in the area, all serving as anchors in thriving communities. Stacy's in-depth knowledge of the area and the Courtyard by Marriott brand will help ensure success as we build our property management team,' Fugazi said.
Fugazi continued, 'Collin County continues to fulfill on its reputation as one of the fastest growing and most affluent areas in Texas. The city of Allen's extensive, new entertainment and retail development reinforces Mr. Hammons' vision of participating in the creation of another vital community.'
The new hotel and conference center will incorporate the Courtyard by Marriott brand's new 'personalized' and 'special' elements, including:
o Welcome pedestals for seamless associate-guest interaction
o Cutting-edge technology with relevant information, including 57' LCD TV GoBoardTM with touch screen
o Private, yet energetic common areas with 20' LCD TVs in media booths, lounge and local library for exploration
o Functionally stylish lobby areas, including pull-up tray tables and wireless Internet access
o Stylish and versatile S-counter for coffee bar by day and hot spot by night
o The MarketTM guest store for convenience and substance
John Q. Hammons' Allen hotel and conference center complex is conveniently situated just 25 miles from downtown Dallas at 210 East Stacy Road in The Village at Allen. The Village at Allen, which opened in October 2008, is one component of The MGHerring Group's 3-million-square-foot, regional, mixed-use lifestyle center located in both Allen and Fairview, Texas. The Village at Allen is being developed in conjunction with sister project The Village at Fairview. Upon completion, the entire project will span 400 acres and include 2 million square feet of retail and 1 million square feet of office, residential and hotel space.
The hotel and conference center complex is adjacent to the new $50 million Allen Event Center, set to open November 2009. With a 7,500-person full capacity, the Allen Event Center will offer a venue for concerts, top touring shows, family entertainment and professional sports, complementing the dynamic shopping, dining and entertainment destination atmosphere created by The Village at Allen. Doug Waugh, new general manager for the Allen Event Center, was formally introduced at the hotel topping-out ceremony.
'We are excited to see the Courtyard by Marriott reach this milestone, bringing us closer to the opening this fall,' said Gar Herring, president of The MGHerring Group. 'Having a high quality hotel as part of The Village at Allen will complement our shops, restaurants and the Allen Event Center.'
Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is a global leading lodging company based in Bethesda,Maryland, USA, with more than 4,200 properties in 80 countries and territories. Marriott International reported revenues of nearly $14 billion in fiscal year 2014. The company operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts under 19 brands, including: The Ritz-Carlton®, BVlgari®, EDITION®, JW Marriott®, Autograph Collection® Hotels, Renaissance® Hotels, Marriott Hotels®, Delta Hotels and Resorts®, Marriott Executive Apartments®, Marriott Vacation Club®, Gaylord Hotels®, AC Hotels by Marriott®, Courtyard®, Residence Inn®, SpringHill Suites®, Fairfield Inn & Suites®, TownePlace Suites®, Protea Hotels® and MoxyHotels®. Marriott has been consistently recognized as a top employer and for its superior business ethics. The company also manages the award-winning guest loyalty program, Marriott Rewards® and The Ritz-Carlton Rewards® program, which together surpass 50 million members. For more information or reservations, please visit our website at 
