You've Heard Where They Stand, But Where Do They Sleep?
FEBRUARY 4, 2008. Holiday Inn Express, the hotel brand that encourages travelers to Stay Smart(R), today announces a new resource designed to help consumers "vote smart" this election year.
Just in time for Super Tuesday, the brand is tallying presidential candidates' cumulative lodging expenses while on the road to the White House and posting them at www.hiexpress.com/thesmartmeter. By logging onto the "Stay Smart, America" Web site, voters can view how much each candidate's campaign spent on lodging. And then see what they potentially could have saved by choosing Holiday Inn Express hotels - where key amenities like high-speed internet access and the new, hot Express Start(R) Breakfast Bar are always free.
The Web site, created by digital marketing and media company Digitas, shows consumers how much money has been spent on lodging throughout the presidential campaign by individual candidates and provides the total for each political party. The site's Smart Meter tracks and posts travel expenses released by The Federal Election Commission (FEC), and then calculates candidates' approximate potential savings based on the Holiday Inn Express brand's average daily rate. The Holiday Inn Express brand is in no way advocating any one candidate or political party and encourages voters to visit www.hiexpress.com/thesmartmeter for more information about the results and methodology.
Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is a global leading lodging company based in Bethesda,Maryland, USA, with more than 4,200 properties in 80 countries and territories. Marriott International reported revenues of nearly $14 billion in fiscal year 2014. The company operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts under 19 brands, including: The Ritz-Carlton®, BVlgari®, EDITION®, JW Marriott®, Autograph Collection® Hotels, Renaissance® Hotels, Marriott Hotels®, Delta Hotels and Resorts®, Marriott Executive Apartments®, Marriott Vacation Club®, Gaylord Hotels®, AC Hotels by Marriott®, Courtyard®, Residence Inn®, SpringHill Suites®, Fairfield Inn & Suites®, TownePlace Suites®, Protea Hotels® and MoxyHotels®. Marriott has been consistently recognized as a top employer and for its superior business ethics. The company also manages the award-winning guest loyalty program, Marriott Rewards® and The Ritz-Carlton Rewards® program, which together surpass 50 million members. For more information or reservations, please visit our website at 
