USA, Columbus, Ohio. October 22, 2018

Rockbridge was well-represented at the 2018 Independent Lodging Congress (ILC 2018) in New York City. Rare Bird, the rooftop lounge at Noelle, was honored with the Indie Award for Best Hotel Bar or Restaurant. In addition, Jim Merkel, Rockbridge CEO, accepted the award and was a featured speaker at ILC.

"We are always thrilled to have Rockbridge's support and involvement. It's so great to have a like-minded industry leader involved and we congratulate them on their well-deserved INDIE Award win!," said Tatiana Swedek, CMO, Independent Lodging Congress.

Also speaking at ILC 2018 was Christine Magrann, Chief Operating Officer of Makeready. Makeready is a hospitality brand that creates independent concept brands through local influences, functional design, and thoughtful restaurants and bars in properties such as Noelle in Nashville and The Adolphus in Dallas.

The ILC is held October 17-19 at The William Vale, the newest independent boutique hotel in Brooklyn's Williamsburg neighborhood, minutes from Lower Manhattan.

The event itself serves as a place of discovery, collaboration and idea generation for owners and operators of independent hotels, connecting visionaries and thought leaders in the independent lodging sector. Part of the program features the presentation of the INDIE Awards, which recognize people and places in the hospitality industry that succeed through innovation, a sense of place and a spirit to serve.

Rare Bird, the rooftop lounge at Noelle in Nashville, received The Indie Award for Best Hotel Bar or Restaurant. With the name inspired by the great blue heron bird, a focal point of Noelle's branding, Rare Bird rooftop bar and lounge sits perched atop Noelle above Printer's Alley. Craft cocktails, uncaged spirits and a colorful, airborne bar setting that overlooks downtown Nashville and the Cumberland River make it a one-of-a-kind destination.