ARAMARK Harrison Lodging to Operate New Desmond Tutu Education Center in New York
Conference center is ARAMARK Harrison Lodging's first in New York Metro Area
MAY 9, 2007. ARAMARK Harrison Lodging (AHL), a leader in the conference and corporate training centers industry, today announced that it was awarded the contract to manage the new Desmond Tutu Education Center, located in New York City.
The newly created Desmond Tutu Education Center, scheduled to open September 2007, will include 8,000-square feet of conference space and 60 restored guest rooms. Located at 180 10th Avenue between 20th and 21st Streets in the center of New York's famous Chelsea neighborhood, the center is surrounded by a dozen historic buildings, the oldest dating back to 1836, and also flanked by a city block featuring lush green landscaping.
Under the terms of a five-year agreement, AHL will be responsible for all management and operational functions of the property, which is located on the west side of The General Theological Seminary campus.
"The Desmond Tutu Education Center combines the sophistication of 21st Century technology with the historic charm of 19th Century gothic architecture," said Marcel Kromhout, director of sales and marketing, ARAMARK Harrison Lodging, Desmond Tutu Education Center. "It's the ideal location for any event from a corporate presentation, meeting or training session to an elegant celebration or wedding."
The center includes the 19th Century Refectory Conference Room featuring a vaulted, oak-wainscoted dining room that has been called one of New York's most beautiful interior spaces, seven separate meeting rooms, a fully functional business station and wireless Internet access in all public areas.
"We're looking forward to making the Desmond Tutu Education Center a premier meeting destination in the New York Metro area," said Jeff Weggeman, vice president of sales and marketing, ARAMARK Harrison Lodging. "Our industry expertise and longstanding commitment to customer service will provide the center's guests with memorable and superior meeting and conference experiences."
Located only minutes away from a large selection of restaurants, galleries and shops, the center is also in close proximity to iconic New York destinations including the Chelsea Piers, Madison Square Garden, The Empire State Building, Theater District, Herald Square and famed Fifth Avenue shopping.
The center welcomes both business and leisure travelers. For more information on the Desmond Tutu Education Center or to book your next special event or meeting, please call 800-422-MEET or log on to www.aramarkharrisonlodging.com.
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About ARAMARK Harrison Lodging
ARAMARK Harrison Lodging, a division of ARAMARK Corporation, provides a wide range of managed services, including meeting and recreational support services to conference and corporate training centers, specialty hotels, national and state parks, resorts and other tourist destinations throughout the United States. ARAMARK Harrison Lodging is a single source provider for educational environments, event and meeting planning, premium dining needs and catering, on-site restaurants, retail merchandise sales and facilities management.
About ARAMARK
ARAMARK is a leader in professional services, providing award-winning food services, facilities management, and uniform and career apparel to health care institutions, universities and school districts, stadiums and arenas, and businesses around the world. In FORTUNE magazine's list of "America's Most Admired Companies," ARAMARK has consistently ranked as one of the top three most admired companies in its industry as evaluated by peers and industry analysts since 1998. The company was also ranked first in its industry in the 2007 FORTUNE 500 survey. Headquartered in Philadelphia, ARAMARK has approximately 240,000 employees serving clients in 18 countries. Learn more at the company's Web site, www.aramark.com.