American Development and Glenmont Capital JV Opens Candlewood Suites

Ribbon Cut by Country Music Star Charlie Daniels

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. October 14, 2008

COLUMBIA, SC, October 14, 2008. Grand Opening festivities were celebrated this week for the Candlewood Suites Hotel Columbia, South Carolina, in true Southern style according to Clyde Harris, President of Harris Hotel Group and American Hotel Development Partners. The event featured local dignitaries and a ribbon-cutting by country music star Charlie Daniels.

The brand new all-suite extended stay hotel is a joint venture between American Hotel Development Partners and Glenmont Capital Management, LLC, and is the first Candlewood Suites property to enter the Columbia/Fort Jackson, South Carolina, market. The hotel's operations, sales and marketing are professionally managed by Harris Hotel Group.

"We are pleased to have Mr. Daniels, an American icon, patriot and true Southern gentleman, here to cut the ribbon for this property," remarked Mr. Harris at the ceremony. "Our primary goal in opening this Candlewood Suites property is to serve those who honor our country through their service in our military as well as their families, and we dedicate this hotel today in the hope that it will provide warmth, shelter and a hospitable environment to everyone who stays with us in Columbia/Fort Jackson."

Prior to playing a show for the military based at Fort Jackson as part of his current tour, Charlie Daniels and his band stayed at the Columbia Candlewood Suites. During the ribbon-cutting ceremony Mr. Daniels said that he travels more than 100 days each year and thought the Candlewood concept was "extremely comfortable and a great product," and that the staff and facilities at the Columbia Candlewood were "fantastic."

The Grand Opening ceremony also included the commemoration of the first White Oak tree to be planted by InterContinental Hotels Group in honor of Mr. Harris' son, Clyde J. Harris, IV, a young hotelier who passed away in 2006 after a three year battle with tongue and neck cancer. IHG has committed to donate and plant a White Oak at every IHG hotel its franchise partner, AHDP, develops. A plaque with the history of Clyde's brave fight is being installed in each hotel lobby.

Jimmy Taylor, Corporate Director of Sales for IHG's Candlewood Suites Brand, was on hand to dedicate the tree in honor of Young Clyde.

"Many of us at IHG have known the Harris family for many years and we are honored to help their family in preserving Clyde's memory," he said. "The Harris family is part of the IHG family."

Following the ceremonies, Harris Hotel Group conducted property tours to showcase the three suite types at the property and show off the array of Candlewood amenities. A Fall Harvest theme cocktail party warmed guests and wrapped up the event.

The property tours showcased that guests at the Candlewood Suites, Columbia/Ft. Jackson, South Carolina, can cook meals in their fully equipped kitchen, relax in the overstuffed recliner while watching movies from the hotel's free movie library. Business travelers work more efficiently utilizing the executive desk with two separate phone lines and free high speed internet. The Candlewood Suites Columbia/Ft. Jackson, South Carolina, also provides guests with a Fitness Center and free Guest Laundry. The fully stocked Candlewood Cupboard provides breakfast, lunch, and dinner options, as well as sodas, snacks, and ice cream.

For more information on the Candlewood Suites Hotel Columbia/Fort Jackson, American Hotel Development Partners or Harris Hotel Group, please contact Lisa Woodman at 941.918.4000 or [email protected].