Acquisitions & Hotel Openings

White Lodging on Track with 1,000-room JW Marriott Austin in Texas

Opening Planned for Early 2015, First Convention Contract Signed for November 2015

Merrillville, IN - February 14, 2012 - White Lodging is pleased to announce the beginning of a new era of conventions coming to the City of Austin, with the first convention booked at the city’s new JW Marriott Austin.

The first contract for the JW Marriott Austin, scheduled to begin construction June 1, was recently signed for the annual meeting of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners Nov. 6-12, 2015. The booking of more than 2,500 rooms signals the beginning of a new level for conventions in Austin.

“Beginnings are exciting, and this first contract for the JW Marriott Austin is just the beginning of the types of conventions Austin will now attract,” said Jon Peck, COO of full service hospitality management for White Lodging. “We’re excited to continue signing contracts like this one with the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners, which will help grow the city’s convention business and economy.”

The hotel is already attracting top talent to ensure its success.

With more than 24 years of hospitality experience, Jay Spurr will lead the hotel’s sales and marketing team as the Director of Sales and Marketing for the JW Marriott Austin. Spurr left his position as the Director of Sales and Marketing of the Chicago Marriott Magnificent Mile to join the hotel’s team.

“I’m honored to be a member of the White Lodging team and extremely excited to be the sales leader for this world class convention hotel,” Spurr said.

Spurr, who started the position in November, said he’s thrilled to build strong partnerships with the Austin Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Austin Convention Center and the entire Austin hotel community to take the city to the next level in conventions.

Previously the senior account executive with the JW Marriott Indianapolis, Mark Underwood was previously named the senior account executive of the JW Marriott Austin. Underwood has an extensive, successful background in hotel sales and account management.

“This will be my third hotel opening,” Underwood said. “I want to continue the successful opening of another Marriott Convention Hotel, as well as build even more great relationships.”

The luxury convention hotel has more than 1,000 rooms and is scheduled to open in early 2015. Plans for the hotel include oversize guestrooms and suites, in excess of 110,000 square feet of flexible meeting, banquet and exhibition space, multiple food and beverage venues, underground parking and a 4,500 square foot fitness center. The hotel is located two blocks from the Austin Convention Center, and will be White Lodging’s 22nd hotel in the city.

The hotel remains on schedule to break ground in June for an early 2015 opening.

White Lodging Services Corporation - was established in 1985 and is headquartered in Merrillville, Ind. White Lodging is a fully integrated hotel ownership, development and operations company – a recognized leader that has defined and cultivated the ability to achieve consistent, sustainable growth among mid-to large-scale hotels across the country. Its current portfolio consists of more than 158 hotels in 20 states and encompasses representation of the following leading brands: Preferred Hotels, Marriott International, Inc., Hilton Worldwide, Hyatt Global, Starwood Hotels and Resorts, InterContinental Hotel Group and Carlson Hotels Worldwide.

For more information about White Lodging, please visit www.whitelodging.com.

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