y Touts new Property as the Preferred Lodging Destination for Meetings and Conventions
SPRINGFIELD, Mo., and HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – July 9, 2003 – Mr. John Q. Hammons today announced he will develop a new $40-million, 300-suite Embassy Suites Hotel located in downtown Huntsville’s cultural and entertainment district. Expected to pump over $15 million annually into the Huntsville economy, the 10-story Embassy Suites Hotel will adjoin the city’s 600,000-square-foot Von Braun Center via a climate controlled sky bridge. The Von Braun Center anchors downtown Huntsville and houses 170,000 square feet of convention space, in addition to a sports arena, concert hall and playhouse. The Embassy Suites Hotel – Huntsville will be owned by Mr. John Q. Hammons and will be managed by Springfield, Mo.-based John Q. Hammons Hotels, Inc. (AMEX: JQH).
Construction of the Embassy Suites Hotel – Huntsville is expected to begin in the second quarter of 2004 followed by a grand opening in the third quarter of 2005. The new development will be Mr. Hammons’ 2nd hotel to be built in the state of Alabama and will complement the company’s portfolio of almost 60 hotels. Conveniently located just 15 minutes from the Huntsville International Airport, the new hotel will provide easy access for both business and leisure travelers alike.
“Huntsville’s ongoing commitment to developing its downtown business, arts and entertainment district makes it a great match for a full-service, luxury convention hotel,” said Mr. John Q. Hammons, founder, chairman and chief executive officer of John Q. Hammons Hotels, Inc. “Home to a unique blend of government, university and private industry, Huntsville is a natural fit for my hotel development strategy. Adding this high-end property is a logical next step as the city grows for the future.”
Nestled among mountains in North Alabama, Huntsville is a growing city that is consistently recognized as one of the best places in the nation to live and work. The local economy is strong, fueled by high tech companies, federal programs related to national defense and space exploration, as well as many Fortune 500 companies and homegrown firms in the aerospace and electronics industry. Huntsville continues to attract new industry because of the diverse business base found in the city. With an army base (Redstone Arsenal), the second largest Research Park in the United States (Cummings Research Park), NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center and a variety of manufacturing, retail, and service companies, Huntsville offers a truly dynamic economic climate for growth. The city is the proud home to The University of Alabama in Huntsville, Alabama A&M University and Oakwood College.
“I am very excited for Huntsville to have the quality hotel that Mr. Hammons envisions for our community,” said Huntsville Mayor Loretta Spencer. “As the convention center hotel, the Embassy Suites Hotel – Huntsville is a key ingredient to increasing our opportunity to bring additional conventions and meetings to our city.”
The Von Braun Center is conveniently located off of Interstate 565 and overlooks beautiful Big Spring Park and a ring of mountains that flank downtown Huntsville. The multi-purpose facility offers flexible convention space and is equipped to accommodate major concerts, touring Broadway shows, ballets, concerts and performances of the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra. The 9,150-seat arena, a 2,153-seat concert hall and a 502-seat playhouse theater are available for conferences and seminars.
Property Information
To be built with the signature atrium style of John Q. Hammons Hotels, the Embassy Suites Hotel – Huntsville’s décor will emit a contemporary flair that invites guests to enjoy the exceptional appointments and outstanding customer service that defines the John Q. Hammons Hotels and the Embassy Suites Hotel brands.
The Embassy Suites Hotel – Huntsville will feature a variety of amenities for both business and leisure travelers. The property will have a private bedroom in every suite, a living room with a sofa sleeper, wet bar, refrigerator, microwave and coffeemaker. In addition, each of the hotel’s 300 suites will be equipped with two color televisions, high-speed Internet service, customizable voicemail, Nintendo 64 and WebTV. Travelers also will be able to enjoy a sports bar restaurant and lounge, as well as full cooked-to-order breakfast during their stay. Guests will be treated to a complimentary USA Today every weekday morning, laundry/valet service, sundeck, cardio fitness center, 24-hour gift shop, complimentary business center and an oversized indoor pool and whirlpool.
Company Information
Privately owned by Mr. John Q. Hammons, the Embassy Suites Hotel – Huntsville is managed under contract by John Q. Hammons Hotels, Inc. Publicly traded on the American Stock Exchange (AMEX: JQH), Springfield, Mo.-based John Q. Hammons Hotels, Inc. is the nation’s leading independent builder, developer, owner and manager of upscale, full-service hotels, resorts and suites, including: Embassy Suites Hotel, Renaissance, Marriott, Radisson, Residence Inn, Homewood Suites by Hilton, Holiday Inn and Hampton Inn & Suites brands. With 58 hotels strategically located near demand generators, such as state capitals, universities, airports, corporate headquarters or office parks in secondary and tertiary markets, John Q. Hammons Hotels’ properties are dominant in their markets. The company’s focus is capitalizing on positive operating fundamentals in the upscale, full-service sector, converting existing hotels to franchise brands and selling mature assets, while reinvesting the proceeds and reducing debt. Over the course of his impressive career in the hotel business, Mr. Hammons has developed 148 hotels.
For more information about John Q. Hammons Hotels, please visit the company’s Web site at www.jqhhotels.com.
