Gaylord National Resort Claims Millionth Room Sold Prior to Opening

No other Resort in the History of Hotels Has Sold this Many Rooms So Far Out from Opening

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. October 14, 2008

NATIONAL HARBOR, MD, July 17, 2007. Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center has sold its one-millionth room a record 10 months before opening. This announcement breaks the hospitality industry record for the total number of room nights pre-sold before a hotel opening.

The industry record was previously held by another Gaylord property, the Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center in Kissimmee, Fla., where one million rooms were sold approximately one month prior to its February 2002 opening. The Gaylord National Resort will debut on April 25, 2008.

"No other resort in the history of hotels anywhere has sold this many rooms so far out from opening," said Mike Mason, senior vice president of sales, Gaylord Hotels. "It's astounding when you consider we still have 10 months to go before a single guest walks through the door. I was very proud when we set a record in 2002 in Florida, but this is incredible. It speaks volumes about the convention demand for the capital region."

The one-million rooms pre-sold includes all room nights under contract with groups scheduled to hold events at the property beginning April 2008 through 2018. Currently, the resort is only accepting group reservations. Individual reservations will be accepted starting January 1, 2008.

"We're introducing an incredible amount of new business and tourism to the mid-Atlantic region that will impact the area in many positive ways," said Tina Sampson, vice president of sales and marketing, Gaylord National Resort. "This destination practically sells itself. Once meeting planners see how special and incredibly exciting this property will be, coupled with the fact that we cater to their needs all under one roof, they want to know where to sign."

Leaders of two of the meeting and convention industry's most prominent associations weighed in on the significance of this record-breaking announcement. Bruce MacMillan, CA, president and CEO of Dallas-based Meeting Professionals International (MPI) was pleased to hear about this achievement.

"This remarkable achievement is a testament to the power of the Gaylord Hotels brand in the meetings and events industry," said MacMillan. "I congratulate Gaylord National on reaching this extraordinary milestone, and look forward to supporting the Gaylord team as they continue to fuel our robust and thriving industry."

John H. Graham IV, CAE, president & CEO of Washington D.C.-based American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) said he looks forward to Gaylord playing a pivotal role in the success and growth of association meetings in the Washington D.C. region and throughout the country.

"Selling one million room nights 10 months out shows the incremental value associations find in the Gaylord brand," said Graham. "The model of providing meeting rooms, sleeping rooms, entertainment venues and much more all under one roof continues to resonate positively throughout the association community because it strategically addresses the unique and challenging logistical needs of associations holding annual meetings, conventions and trade shows."

Not a typical hotel, Gaylord National will immerse guests in the lore and legacies of the historic, mid-Atlantic region. Complementing the resort's world-class amenities will be a spectacular view from the soaring 18-story, glass atrium, which overlooks the Potomac River, nearby Washington D.C. and Old Town Alexandria. Or, just steps away, the National Harbor complex will boast dozens more dining, shopping and entertainment options, as well as continuous water taxi service to nearby destinations like Old Town Alexandria and Georgetown.