Marriott Honors Top Franchisees for 2012,Prestigious Partnership Circle Award Given to Five Marriott Franchise Companies

　　Marriott International honored top full service franchise partners at their annual MINA Conference held last week at the Marco Island Marriott Beach Resort in Florida. Five companies – E.J. Del Monte Corporation, JHM Hotels, PCH Hotels & Resorts, White Lodging Services and Winegardner & Hammons, Inc. – were awarded the Partnership Circle Award, the highest honor Marriott presents to its franchise partners for hospitality excellence. Executives from organizations that own or franchise JW Marriott Hotels, Autograph Collection, Renaissance Hotels, Marriott Hotels & Resorts and Gaylord Hotels attended the conference.

　　Marriott"s Partnership Circle Award honors companies who live Marriott"s vision, share a mutual long-term commitment to the business, 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.

　　"All five recipients are repeat winners, consistently performing at the upper echelon of Marriott"s industry-leading full service franchise community. Each has previously won multiple awards for service, food & beverage and product leadership," said Jim Fisher, Chief Owner & Franchise Services Officer, Marriott International. "It is an honor to again recognize these hospitality leaders for their shared commitment to excellence. The lodging industry has faced a number of challenges over the past several years, but it hasn"t diminished the focus that these five have demonstrated. The results bear out the level of success they have again achieved."

　　Marriott"s 2012 Partnership Circle Award Winners:

　　E.J. Del Monte Corporation of Rochester, NY, owns a total of 17 Marriott-branded hotels, including the award-winning Del Monte Lodge Renaissance Rochester Hotel & Spa and the completely renovated Rochester Airport Marriott, as well as 15 select-service hotels. A family-owned business for 58 years, E.J. Del Monte has consistently delivered on guest service and has been a true partner to Marriott.

　　JHM Hotels of Greenville, SC, owns and operates 23 Marriott-branded hotels. They are a partner who embodies the Marriott culture every day through their strong commitment to guest satisfaction and community service.

　　PCH Hotels & Resorts of Birmingham, AL, owns and operates four Marriott Hotels & Resorts and four Renaissance Hotels in their home state of Alabama. Their properties include the historic Battle House Renaissance Mobile Hotel & Spa and the Marriott Shoals Hotel & Spa, which not only consistently deliver on guest satisfaction, but showcase some of the state"s most beautiful cities and resort areas.

　　White Lodging Services of Merrillville, IN, opened the first franchised Fairfield Inn hotel in 1990. White Lodging Services operates more than 130 hotels across Marriott"s portfolio of brands, including the 1,005 room JW Marriott Indianapolis. They also celebrated the official groundbreaking of the 1,012 room JW Marriott Austin late last month. One of Marriott"s largest franchisees, White Lodging Services has received Marriott"s Partnership Circle Award ten times.

　　Winegardner & Hammons, Inc. of Cincinnati, Ohio, opened the Cincinnati Marriott Northeast in 1996. Since then, the company"s portfolio has grown to include 18 Marriott-branded hotels. Consistent with the Marriott philosophy, Winegardner & Hammons believes in taking care of their associates and has a strong culture of guest service, helping make them a 14-time recipient of Marriott"s Partnership Circle Award.

　　In addition to presenting the Partnership Circle Awards, Marriott honored franchisees for their achievements in the following categories: Developer of the Year, Opening of the Year, Spirit To Serve, Spirit To Preserve, Best New Product, Renovation Excellence, Service Excellence and Food & Beverage Excellence.