Choice Hotels International Opens Learning Center At World Headquarters

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Contact: Anne Papa Curtis, Choice Hotels International
301-592-5155
Kristina Ellis, Montgomery County Dept. of Economic Development
240-777-2024

For Immediate Release

CHOICE HOTELS INTERNATIONAL
OPENS LEARNING CENTER AT WORLD HEADQUARTERS

State-of-the-Art Facility Underscores Company's Education,
Training Leadership and Community Commitment

Silver Spring, MD (October 4, 1999) - In the company of Montgomery County Executive Douglas M. Duncan, Montgomery County Council President Isiah Leggett, and other state and county officials, Choice Hotels International (NYSE:CHH) Chairman Stewart Bainum, Jr., and President and Chief Executive Officer Charles A. Ledsinger, Jr., today officially opened the Choice Learning Center, an 11,000 square-foot, state-of-the-art facility designed to house educational programs for Choice's 4,000 franchisees from around the globe, 550 locally based corporate employees and select community groups.

"Building this community of learning is a critical milestone in Choice's mission to ensure the success of our franchisees," said Ledsinger. "The new Learning Center enables us to provide franchisee owners of Comfort, Quality, Clarion, Sleep Inn, Rodeway Inn, Econo Lodge and MainStay Suites brand hotels with the advanced training programs they need to operate their businesses profitably."

"The Learning Center's opening also underscores our commitment to Montgomery County, our corporate home for the past 32 years," Bainum said. "The Center should not only contribute to the 200 additional jobs Choice expects to create in the county over the next decade, it will also bring in significant revenues, with an estimated 2,000 annual trainees spending $5 million per year in the county's hotels, restaurants and other area businesses. We are pleased to work in partnership with Montgomery County and the state of Maryland to bring this facility to Silver Spring as an enhancement of our current corporate complex," Bainum added.

"We are pleased that Choice Hotels chose Maryland as the location for its national training center and corporate offices," said Richard C. Mike Lewin, Secretary of the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development. "This will bring national attention to Maryland and exposes Choices' fine employees to our state and all of its wonderful assets."

The Learning Center, located in one of three buildings that comprise the 200,000-square-foot Choice Centre complex, is fully-equipped with a large-screen video room complete with THX sound system, video conferencing capabilities and "smart" podiums that control a/v and lighting environment; a computer-based learning lab designed to equal those found in the nation's top universities; a 2,700-square-foot dividable auditorium for large group discussions; and multiple break-out rooms.

"Choice Hotels International Learning Center is a wonderful asset to Silver Spring, Montgomery County and Maryland," said County Executive Douglas M. Duncan. "That Choice choose this location - the site of its corporate headquarters for the past 32 years - shows their commitment to both their employees and to Montgomery County."

Construction of the Learning Center, estimated at a cost of $2.5 million, follows a $19 million renovation of the entire Choice Centre Complex that included complete renovation of office space and the construction of a 300-car parking garage. Primarily, the Learning Center will house Choice's newly developed "Total Lodging by Choice" owner and general manager training program, now mandatory for all franchisees entering the Choice system. The week-long program incorporates a case-study methodology - the only training program in the lodging industry to do so - and offers in-depth courses on marketing, reservations, operations, staffing, guest relations and budgeting.

According to Ledsinger, the program is designed to help franchisees leverage Choice's "proven business systems, proprietary technology and strategic partnerships to succeed in today's competitive marketplace."

Programs for corporate employees slated for the Learning Center include management seminars, technology training and other educational programs related to the company's operations. Additionally, Choice has contracted with the University of Maryland's University College and with Montgomery College to offer on-site college level coursework for Choice employees.

Choice has also committed to make the Learning Center available for non-profit community organizations or agencies in periodic need of meeting space, according to Ledsinger.

"The Learning Center is designed for people from across the street as well as around the world," said Ledsinger. "We've created a tremendous environment in which people can meet, share experiences and learn new and better ways to run their businesses."

Choice Hotels International is the second largest hotel franchiser in the world, with more than 5,000 hotels open and under development in 36 countries marketed under the brand names Comfort, Quality, Clarion, Sleep Inn, Econo Lodge, Rodeway Inn and MainStay Suites.

The Montgomery County Department of Economic Development helps existing and new businesses grow within the County through a variety of programs and assistance. If you are thinking of starting or expanding your business, please call 240-777-2000.

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