DALLAS, TX, MAY 6, 2008. “Take Aim5” was the theme for the fifth annual Aimbridge Hospitality Management Conference, recently held in Glendale, Calif. More than 220 general managers, director of sales, catering managers, revenue managers, and corporate staff convened at the Hilton Glendale to celebrate five years of outstanding growth – building its portfolio from 8 hotels in 2003 to 50 hotels in 2008 – and fortify its solidarity.

“Five years ago, the hospitality industry was in turmoil – we were 1.5 years out from Sept. 11 and owners were faced with declining revenue growth,” Aimbridge Hospitality Chairman Les Bentley told attendees. “We knew, however, that turmoil provides the best opportunity for growth, and capital markets gravitate to those companies that perform – and with your assistance, we performed magnificently!”

Dave Johnson, Aimbridge Hospitality President and CEO, reported the company has doubled in size each year since its start, thanks to its dedicated property managers (including all revenue generators), talented corporate team members, and valued capital partners and brand affiliates. Vince Cuce, Aimbridge Hospitality Senior VP Finance, said the company opened with $5 million in revenue and today revenues top $298 million – a 71% revenue increase from 2007, and a minimum 50% growth in revenues each year beginning 2003.

Aimbridge Hospitality presently owns or operates 44 branded and independent hotels that are open or expected to open, and six properties are in development. Revenue-management expertise, strategic e-marketing programs, rate-quoting empowerment, brand resource support, a proactive sales culture, and cross-selling opportunities have all been contributors to its success.

People, Properties Honored for Contributions
To recognize the outstanding performance at the property level, 33 awards for exceptional performance were presented during the event.

“2007 Hotel of the Year” was presented to the Doubletree Hotel San Pedro in California, honored for achieving a 60.6% RevPAR growth, 28.2% food & beverage growth, and an 86.6% growth in profits. The Phoenix Inn Suites Hotel Tigard in Oregon also shares this title due to its 22.4% RevPAR growth and 66.9%t profit growth. Both properties ranked in the Top 10% of Aimbridge’s Employee Opinion Results, and each received the “President’s Award” for market share excellence.

“General Manager of the Year” was awarded to Patti Patenaude of the Hilton Garden Inn - Dallas Market Center, and to Dave Pappas of the Phoenix Inn Albany in Oregon. Patenaude was recognized for her outstanding property turn-around effort. In nine months she converted a deficit to a year-end finish of 5.4% revenue growth and a 9.3% GOP growth. This represents a total 128.6% positive flow through of new profit over the prior year. In addition, she increased service scores from 10% to 50% within her first 90 days at the property. Pappas was honored for helping in the promotion of five of his employees and for increasing total revenues by $450,000. The properties GOP was up $312,000, representing a 53% increase over the previous year. Both hotels received the “President’s Award” for market share excellence.

“President’s Award” is bestowed on property’s that have exemplified market share excellence. Winners include: Doubletree Hotel Brookfield, Doubletree Hotel Charlotte, Doubletree Hotel Schaumburg, Embassy Suites Dublin, Embassy Suites Tampa, Marriott Chicago at Burr Ridge, Phoenix Inn Vancouver, Wyndham Hotel – O’Hare, Wyndham Garden Hotel Overland Park, Doubletree Hotel Novi, Hilton Glendale, and Embassy Suites, Deerfield.

Additional honorees included:
Beverly Jinkins-Amerine, Director of Sales of the Year;
James Jensen, Sales Manger of the Year;
Jackie Marca, Phoenix Inn Sales Manager of the Year;
Nikki Ford, Catering Manager of the Year;
Jeremy Schaeffer, Leadership Excellence;
Matt Smith, Phoenix Inn – Leadership Excellence;
Doubletree Brookfield, Revenue Excellence;
Phoenix Inn Suites Olympia, Phoenix Inn – Revenue Excellence;
Doubletree Hotel Brookfield, Quality Excellence;
Doubletree Hotel Charlotte, Sales Team of the Year.
“Special Recognition” was bestowed on Mary Stalker.

“Each of these individuals and their respective properties exemplifies best-in-class performance that has made such a big difference in shaping Aimbridge Hospitality today,” Johnson said. “We are surrounded by talent, and it is this talent that will help us to grow to a 100 hotel company in the very near future.”