SILVER SPRING, MD, October 20, 2010 (Press-News.org) Choice Hotels celebrates the second anniversary of Ascend Collection this month. With 37 currently open member properties and more than a dozen others under development in the United States, Canada and the Caribbean, the program is exceeding its goals across the board, company executives reported recently.
"This elite network of independent hotels boasts a reservation contribution of 40 percent through Choice Hotels," said Stacy Ragland, vice president of Ascend Collection for Choice Hotels.
Member properties have an average daily rate of approximately $123.* Despite the challenging economy, revenue per available room year to date is $66*. Guest satisfaction scores are favorable as well. Ascend Collection hotels rank well above par at 8.5 on a 10-point scale in Likelihood to Recommend (LTR), a key indicator of overall guest satisfaction. Scores are even higher at 8.8 in the category of Staff Service, one of the program's priorities.
"Ascend Collection can drive growth for both Choice Hotels and its member properties," Ragland explained. "The company benefits by providing travelers with a wider selection. For the hotels, it's an opportunity to retain their unique ambience and style, with the support of Choice Hotels and its vast global resources."
Through their membership with Ascend Collection, hotels participate in the award-winning Choice Privileges rewards program, which can help to drive reservations in business, leisure and group markets. The properties gain exposure before a network of 10 million Choice Privileges members. Additionally, member hotels become part of the company's worldwide distribution system. They also are featured on one of the hospitality industry's largest websites, ChoiceHotels.com, where travelers can go to learn more about the properties and make reservations.
Personalized Support
To help travelers in their hotel selection, Ascend Collection is divided into three categories: Historic, Boutique and Unique. Member properties appeal to a growing number of business and leisure travelers who like to stay at upscale lodgings with distinctive local character when visiting new destinations.
As part of Ascend Collection, the hotels maintain their individuality. At the same time, they gain marketing and operational support from a team of hospitality veterans and a suite of industry-leading tools designed to enhance reservations and performance.
"Belonging to Ascend Collection means having an experienced, creative support staff that works together to make our property the best it can be and to market it effectively," said Donna Herrick, owner of the Norfolk Lodge & Suites, an Ascend Collection hotel of Norfolk, Neb. and the 2010 Inn of the Year for Ascend Collection. "Choice Hotels has a fabulous e-marketing program, with attractive virtual tours. Plus, they're making great strides in building visibility in the booming smartphone and PDA world."
"As an independent hotelier, we seek a company who will provide tools, information and assistance, while also allowing us to keep our individuality," explained Jennifer Rota, general manager, Distrikt Hotel, an Ascend Collection hotel of New York City. "Ascend Collection goes a long way in reaching that goal with a property management system that, in my opinion, leads the industry. The system allows us to manage reservations and make real-time decisions based on the latest information. In an unpredictable economy, this ability to manage quickly online is indispensible."
To foster success and growth, Ascend Collection hoteliers have opportunities throughout the year to participate in conferences and webinars featuring industry leaders in key areas of hospitality.
"Choice is a big company with a great deal of history," Rota commented. "There always seems to be someone listening, eager to suggest workable solutions and make a change for the better."
"Ascend Collection is in active engagement with hotels in gateway cities and top business and leisure markets throughout the United States, Canada and the Caribbean," Ragland added.
Among the network's current markets are: New York City; Chicago; Golden, Colo.; Bloomington, Minn., near Minneapolis; Little Harbor, Anguilla; San Juan, P.R.; Fall River, N.S., outside Halifax; and destinations throughout Hawaii, California and Florida, among others.
*See June 1, 2010 Ascend Collection Franchise Disclosure Document.
About Ascend Collection
Ascend Collection made its debut in late 2008 and now has more than 35 hotels throughout the United States, Canada and the Caribbean. Members include The GEM Hotels with three properties in New York City; Inn of Chicago, one-half block from The Magnificent Mile; O'Brien Historic Hotel, Tex., one block from the lively San Antonio River Walk; the historic Hotel Bothwell, Sedalia, Mo.; Royale Caribbean Resort, opening in early 2011 in Little Harbor, Anguilla; and Le Consulat, within walking distance from Condado Beach, San Juan, P.R. For more information on this collection of Historic, Boutique and Unique and hotels, visit http://www.ascendcollection.com.
About Choice Hotels
Choice Hotels International, Inc. franchises more than 6,000 hotels, representing more than 490,000 rooms, in the United States and more than 35 other countries and territories. As of June 30, 2010, more than 580 hotels are under construction, awaiting conversion or approved for development in the United States, representing more than 47,000 rooms, and approximately 100 hotels, representing approximately 8,700 rooms, are under construction, awaiting conversion or approved for development in 20 other countries and territories. The company's Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, Quality, Sleep Inn, Clarion, Cambria Suites, MainStay Suites, Suburban Extended Stay Hotel, Econo Lodge and Rodeway Inn brands serve guests worldwide. In addition, via its Ascend Collection membership program, travelers in the United States, Canada and the Caribbean have upscale lodging options at historic, boutique and unique hotels.
Additional corporate information may be found on the Choice Hotels International, Inc. Web site, which may be accessed at http://www.choicehotels.com.
Choice Hotels, Choice Hotels International, Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, Quality, Sleep Inn, Clarion, Cambria Suites, MainStay Suites, Suburban Extended Stay Hotel, Econo Lodge, Rodeway Inn and Ascend Collection are proprietary trademarks and service marks of Choice Hotels International.
2010 Choice Hotels International, Inc. All rights reserved.
Media Contacts:
Sharlet Brennan
Ypartnership Public Relations
sharlet.brennan@ypartnership.com
407-838-1707
Christie Gregovich
Ypartnership Public Relations
christie.gregovich@ypartnership.com
407-838-1822
Ascend Collection from Choice Hotels International Celebrates Two Years of Growth
The award-winning collection of unique properties celebrates its second anniversary this month
2010-10-20
ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:
Huge on-site auction is slated for Sunday, Oct. 24, in Terryville. Conn., by Tim's, Inc., of Bristol
2010-10-20
An on-site auction featuring the lifetime collections of the late Ambrose Zoni will be held Sunday, Oct. 24, at Mr. Zoni's former residence on High Street in Terryville. Mr. Zoni was born in 1921 in nearby Bristol, and had lived in Terryville since 1966. He was a graduate of Yale University and, prior to his retirement, worked as a union mason.
He was also a dedicated collector, in a number of fields. Offered at the sale will be coins and currency (which will kick off the action, at 11:30 a.m.), vintage clocks (including examples by Eli and Henry Terry, the renowned ...
Sharpenz Launches Half Hour of Power Sales Training Kits to Boost Sales
2010-10-20
Sharpenz (www.sharpenz.com), a leading do-it-yourself, ready-to-go training and performance improvement firm, recently launched "Sharpenz for Sales" - a series of 30- minute ready-to-go sales training kits that provide significant value to an entire sales force.
Sharpenz for Sales are designed for sales managers or designated sales leaders to take a 30-minute sales meeting and turn it into an energizing, motivating and skill building opportunity to help sellers sell more now!
Sharpenz's library of 33 sales boosters —which are available online - cover the hottest ...
Health and Beauty PLLC Looks Forward to the Remote Access Capabilities Provided by the Waiting Room Solutions Family Care Electronic Health Record (EHR) and Practice Management System (PM).
2010-10-20
Waiting Room Solutions (WRS) (www.waitingroomsolutions.com), a leading web-based EHR and PM provider, announced today that Health and Beauty PLLC has selected the Waiting Room Solutions Family Care Electronic Health Record (EHR) and Practice Management System (PM) for its family care practice.
Karen Clark, FNP has been the sole owner and provider for Health and Beauty PLLC, located in Hickory, NC, for five years. The practice specializes in family care, but also sub-specializes in aesthetic care. Health and Beauty PLLC treats adult and pediatric patients, and aims to ...
Click, call, save: Call2 launches Microsoft Outlook dialler
2010-10-20
Call2 (http://www.call2.com) , a leading provider of high quality, low cost telephony, today announced the launch of its Microsoft Office Outlook dialler for Small and Medium sized businesses. Call2's Microsoft Office Outlook dialler enables smaller businesses, no matter where they are located in the world, to enjoy the most competitive rates on telephone calls that are normally reserved for larger corporations.
Call2's Outlook dialler is a free software plug-in that allows businesses to easily integrate the Call2 service into Microsoft Outlook. Call2's Outlook dialler ...
Eco-Tourism Organization Offers Wilderness Adventure in partnership with African Conservation Project
2010-10-20
Individuals interested in a truly unique volunteer opportunity abroad will have the chance to track game deep in the Southern African wilderness thanks to a partnership with a trusted eco-tourism organization.
DeepIntoAfrica.com has been awarded sole rights to bring volunteers from North America to assist with the Tuli Conservation Project, a research and monitoring initiative that aims to help preserve the pristine Tuli Block of Southern Africa. After paying a nominal fee, volunteers are housed, fed and instructed in game tracking, animal and plant identification, GPS ...
Transitioning from Military to the Workforce: Suggestions from onrec Expo (THE Recruiting Conferece) Expert Panel
2010-10-20
This year at the onrec Expo 2010 (THE Recruiting Conference) a panelist of recruiting experts: Gerry Crispin the Principal and Co-Founder of CareerXroads, Chris Murdock the Founder and Senior Partner of IQTalent Partners, Chad Sowash the Vice President of Direct Employers, and Sean Kelley a Staffing Director at Microsoft, discussed the challenges organizations have faced in recruiting former and active military members, and having them become a successful part of their organization's team.
For some organizations the difficulties lie in finding the right recruiters to ...
Thanksgiving Cooking Planning: Start at Your Desk, NOT Your Stove.
2010-10-20
Are you anticipating holiday cooking stress already? Is Thanksgiving cooking planning getting you down? I fully understand, because even as a professional chef who has prepared food for thousands, I still feel the anxiety of cooking for family in my own home.
Planning, shopping, preparing, cooking, serving, wrapping leftovers, not to mention straightening your house are worthy of your worry when you don't have a good plan. While I can't help you with house cleaning, I can help turn holidays cooking stress into Thanksgiving cooking success this year with a few simple tips.
First, ...
The Plaza Group Named a Top International Chemical Distributor
2010-10-20
ICIS Chemical Business has named The Plaza Group, a leading international petrochemical marketing firm, as one of the 2010 Top 100 Chemical Distributors.
The ICIS Top 100 Chemical Distributors is a listing of the world's leading companies serving buyers of chemicals based on 2009 sales. It also includes a separate listing of regional leaders in North America. The Plaza Group was ranked 64 globally and 22 among North American leaders.
"The Plaza Group is honored to be ranked among the world's leading chemical distributors," said Randy Velarde, The Plaza Group president. ...
Garner Chamber Welcomes Eight Board Members
2010-10-20
The Garner Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the addition of eight members to its Board of Directors. The directors were introduced at the Chamber's Annual Meeting and Banquet on Sept. 30 at the Grand Marquise Ballroom and began their terms Oct. 1.
The Chamber's Board of Directors and staff are pleased to welcome the following board members:
Paula Anderson - owner, Southern Cruise Connections
Mark Berube - business operations process analyst, Progress Energy
Chris Bruffey - senior vice president, Garner market executive, North State Bank
Rodney ...
3dimensionalfitness.com Launches New Website for Fitness and Healthy Living
2010-10-20
3Dimensional Fitness today announced the company's new name and brand identity which combines their core business offerings of personal training, home fitness facilities and overall wellness. 3Dimensional Fitness better communicates its breadth of services through a more modern and comprehensive website.
The launch was unveiled today by the company's owner, Bob Virgulak. "Redefining our messaging was an important aspect of the new brand and website," said Virgulak. "The main focus was to proactively communicate to our current and future clients our comprehensive, personalized ...
LAST 30 PRESS RELEASES:
Insulin resistance is linked to over 30 diseases – and to early death in women, study of people in the UK finds
Innovative semaglutide hydrogel could reduce diabetes shots to once a month
Weight loss could reduce the risk of severe infections in people with diabetes, UK research suggests
Long-term exposure to air pollution and a lack of green space increases the risk of hospitalization for respiratory conditions
Better cardiovascular health in early pregnancy may offset high genetic risk
Artificial intelligence method transforms gene mutation prediction in lung cancer: DeepGEM data releases at IASLC 2024 World Conference on Lung Cancer
Antibody–drug conjugate I-DXd shows clinically meaningful response in patients with extensive-stage small cell lung cancer
IASLC Global Survey on biomarker testing reveals progress and persistent barriers in lung cancer biomarker testing
Research shows pathway to developing predictive biomarkers for immune checkpoint inhibitors
Just how dangerous is Great Salt Lake dust? New research looks for clues
Maroulas appointed Associate Vice Chancellor, Director of AI Tennessee
New chickadee research finds cognitive skills impact lifespan
Cognitive behavioral therapy enhances brain circuits to relieve depression
Terasaki Institute awarded $2.3 Million grant from NIH for organ transplantation research using organs-on-a-chip technology
Atoms on the edge
Postdoc takes multipronged approach to muon detection
Mathematical proof: Five satellites needed for precise navigation
Scalable, multi-functional device lays groundwork for advanced quantum applications
Falling for financial scams? It may signal early Alzheimer’s disease
Integrating MRI and OCT for new insights into brain microstructure
Designing a normative neuroimaging library to support diagnosis of traumatic brain injury
Department of Energy announces $68 million in funding for artificial intelligence for scientific research
DOE, ORNL announce opportunity to define future of high-performance computing
Molecular simulations, supercomputing lead to energy-saving biomaterials breakthrough
Low-impact yoga and exercise found to help older women manage urinary incontinence
Genetic studies reveal new insights into cognitive impairment in schizophrenia
Researcher develops technology to provide cleaner energy and cleaner water
Expect the unexpected: nanoscale silver unveils intrinsic self-healing abilities
nTIDE September 2024 Jobs Report: Gains in employment for people with disabilities appear to level off after reducing gaps with non-disabled workers
Wiley enhances NMR Spectral Library Collection with extensive new databases
[Press-News.org] Ascend Collection from Choice Hotels International Celebrates Two Years of GrowthThe award-winning collection of unique properties celebrates its second anniversary this month