Blackstone Names Laura Ekker Senior Manager of Catering

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. January 13, 2009

CHICAGO, IL, January 13, 2009 - Shakir Hussain, the general manager of The Blackstone, A Renaissance Hotel, has named Laura Ekker senior manager of catering for the Chicago hotel.

The Blackstone, a Chicago architectural and cultural icon and a national landmark that provided regal lodgings for many of the 20th century's most famous figures - from a dozen U.S. presidents to Hollywood stars - officially opened April 30, 2008, after a $128 million showcase restoration.

Michael Lyman, The Blackstone's director of marketing and revenue strategy described Ms. Ekker as uniquely positioned to assist in establishing The Blackstone as one of Americas premier venues for luxury special events and executive business functions.

Ms. Ekker brings exceptional organizational and communications skills to The Blackstone and an impeccable track record of orchestrating creative and memorable events that are executed flawlessly, said Mr. Lyman. With Ms. Ekker's expertise and The Blackstone's lavishly restored historic venues such as the Crystal Ballroom, the English Room and our state of the art meeting spaces, we will be positioned to stage unparalleled events.

In her position as senior manager of catering, Ms. Ekker will help oversee on-going catering operations for The Blackstone. Most recently, Ms. Ekker served as the senior catering sales manager for Sofitel Chicago Water Tower Hotel. Ms. Ekker has also held a variety of executive positions organizing luxury and corporate events including a post as events and marketing coordinator for the Illinois Bar Foundation. Ms. Ekker earned a B.A. in English at Ohio State University, graduating with distinction, and was a recipient of a four-year National Buckeye Scholarship.