Marriott Honors Hotel Equities with Partnership Circle Award

. June 03, 2009

ATLANTA (June 4, 2009) - Marriott International, Inc. honored Atlanta-based Hotel Equities (HE) with its second prestigious Partnership Circle Award. Fred Cerrone, President and CEO of Hotel Equities, accepted the award that is considered the company's top honor for its owner and franchise partners. Only 11 of approximately 400 owners and franchisees of Marriott properties in North America earned the recognition. Marriott Chairman and CEO, J.W. "Bill" Marriott, Jr. presented the award at the company's conference for select service and extended stay owners and franchisees, held at the JW Marriott Orlando Grande Lakes, in Orlando, Fla.

"This is truly a well-deserved honor that recognizes the outstanding accomplishments of Fred Cerrone and his company," said Joel Eisemann, executive vice president, Owner and Franchise Services and Lodging Development, Select Service and Extended Stay Brands, Marriott International. "Our owners and franchisees are key to Marriott's continued success, and we value the strong partnerships we have with companies like Hotel Equities who live and share our vision for hospitality excellence."

Hotel Equities' accomplishments propelled it into the elite winner's circle. During the past three years, HE associates earned four GM of the Year honors and two Associate of the Year awards for Marriott hotels nationwide. Based on guest satisfaction survey results, the firm earned six Gold and six Silver Hotel awards.

Fred Cerrone serves as president on Marriott's Fairfield Inn Franchise Advisory Council and he sits on the Marriott SpringHill Suites Franchise Advisory Council. Hotel Equities operates three Marriott training hotels and earned Runner-Up and Training Hotel of the Year plus the Connect.U Trainer of the Year. HE's Fairfield Inn-Lumberton, NC was named the Fairfield Inn's Top Operations Hotel last year.

Three of Hotel Equities' hotels earned spots on Lodging Hospitality's Top 100 Performers 2008 list. Recently, HotelWorld Network named Fred Cerrone the Hotelier of the Year 2008.

The Atlanta Business Chronicle named Hotel Equities to the top 10 on its annual list of "Best Places to Work" among all medium-sized companies in Atlanta in 2005 and 2006.

"On behalf of the Hotel Equities team, I am honored to accept this award," said Mr. Cerrone. "We seek to exceed the expectations of our guests, associates and investors with our 'Spirit to Serve' hospitality. We are proud to represent Marriott and its unique portfolio of brands."

Marriott International is a leading lodging company with more than 3,200 lodging properties in 66 countries and territories. The company's Partnership Circle Award honors companies who live Marriott's vision, share a mutual long term commitment, fully embrace Marriott's brand initiatives, focus on associates to create a well managed and engaged workforce, invest in hotel product, and provide outstanding customer service as measured through Marriott's guest satisfaction surveys.

Hotel Equities (HE) is an Atlanta-based full-scale hotel management, development and consulting firm with 43 properties presently in its portfolio. Frederick W. Cerrone, CHA, serves as President and CEO. For more information, visit http://www.hotelequities.com.

ABOVE Photo: J.W. "Bill" Marriott, Jr. (on left), Chairman and CEO of Marriott International, presented the Partnership Circle Award to Hotel Equities, represented by (left to right) Fred Cerrone, President and CEO, and Alan Bennett, Sr. Vice President and CFO.