Choice Hotels Announces Winner of its Annual Supplier Diversity Award to Promote Minority and Woman-Owned Business

SILVER SPRING, Md., March 24, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH), one of the world's largest hotel franchisors, is pleased to announce that the diversity committee of the board of directors has presented the company's annual Supplier Diversity Award to the Choice Hotels Corporate Communications department. The award, currently in its fifth year, recognizes outstanding efforts in supporting the company's supplier diversity program and related initiatives.

"Working with a diverse base of suppliers provides a number of mutual benefits to Choice Hotels and the many minority-owned businesses owners with whom we work," said Stephen P. Joyce, president and chief executive officer, Choice Hotels International. "At Choice Hotels, we value the opportunity to draw from a broad selection of suppliers who provide excellent customer service, value, and innovative solutions while also providing minority business owners the opportunity to reach more customers and expand their businesses."

The Corporate Communications group, led by Anne Madison, senior vice president, was selected from among many nominations as a result of the department's efforts to actively seek out, select, advocate for and recommend minority and woman-owned businesses, as well as for providing for feedback to assist these businesses in securing future business from Choice and other organizations.  

Among the minority and woman-owned businesses that the department works with and recommends are:

• Jaki Baskow, Baskow & Associates – Las Vegas, Nev.
• Lisa Raines, Condor Communications – Rockville, Md.
• Julie Wong, The Event Concierge, LLC – Phoenix, Ariz.
• Ricki Fairley-Brown, Images USA – Atlanta, Ga.
• Sachin Mody, Rajbhog Foods – Jersey City, N.J.
• Mona Finston, Mona Finston Public Relations – New York, N.Y.
• Georgene Kaleina, Freelance Writer – Woodstock, Md.
• Maggie Schubert, Consultant – Crofton, Md.

From the original nomination in support of the group:

"The members of the team place a high priority and have a strong understanding of the importance of seeking and sourcing diverse suppliers. The department has consistently worked to increase spending with diverse suppliers on an annual basis. The department accomplishes this by taking advantage of the tools and resources Choice Hotels offers to identify and source work with diverse suppliers on a regular basis, such as the company's vendor locator tool. In addition to its continued efforts to hire diverse vendors, members of the team have also provided numerous opportunities for these vendors to expand their businesses."

"Choice Hotels has an overall companywide commitment to diversity and a commitment to the inclusion of minority and woman-owned suppliers in the procurement process," said Maria D'Ambrosio, senior director of inclusion and diversity at Choice Hotels.  "This commitment starts at the top with executive management and with the Diversity Committee of the Board of Directors, which serves to oversee companywide diversity initiatives focused on five key business pillars—workforce diversity and inclusion, supplier diversity, multi-cultural marketing, franchise development and philanthropy."

About the Choice Hotels Supplier Diversity Program

The Supplier Diversity Program was created to identify and develop opportunities for diverse suppliers, mentor and develop diverse business owners, educate associates and foster inclusionary procurement practices with prime suppliers. The mission of the Supplier Diversity Program is to integrate supplier diversity practices into procurement processes and the support the growth and development of minority and woman suppliers.

Previous winners of the Choice Hotels Supplier Diversity Award include Consumer Information Research (2009); Franchise Billing (2008); Facility Services (2007); and IS System Administration (2006). As one of the company's eight overall value categories, diversity is consistently ranked as one of the company's core areas of focus in its day-to-day operations. As a company, Choice Hotels contributes significant effort toward creating, cultivating and nurturing a diverse and inclusive culture. For more information on Choice Hotels, visit choicehotels.com.

About Choice Hotels

Choice Hotels International, Inc. franchises more than 6,000 hotels, representing more than 495,000 rooms, in the United States and more than 30 other countries and territories.  As of December 31, 2010, more than 500 hotels were under construction, awaiting conversion or approved for development in the United States, representing more than 40,000 rooms, and more than 100 hotels, representing approximately 9,000 rooms, are under construction, awaiting conversion or approved for development in 18 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 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.

(C) 2011 Choice Hotels International, Inc. All rights reserved.

SOURCE Choice Hotels International, Inc.