Choice Hotels Appoints Michael Murphy to Senior Vice President of Cambria Suites

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Mar 29, 2011, 04:14 ET

SILVER SPRING, Md., March 29, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH) has appointed Michael Murphy to senior vice president for the worldwide lodging franchisor's Cambria Suites brand. In his role leading Cambria Suites, Mr. Murphy will build upon the many powerful resources that Choice Hotels currently has in place to support the brand.

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"Under Michael's leadership and with the leadership support provided by our development group, we are confident that current and prospective Cambria Suites franchisees will be able to benefit from the investment we are making in Cambria Suites and the resources we are providing the brand," said Stephen P. Joyce, president and CEO of Choice Hotels International. "In addition to benefitting from his vision for Cambria Suites, our franchisees also will be able to count on his continued oversight of global sales."

As the current leader of the company's global sales force, Mr. Murphy and his teams have already been providing outstanding support to the Cambria Suites brand, with teams focused on property level performance through the RevUP! Program and through national sales efforts that have increased visibility with and bookings from key national and local accounts.

Launched in 2005, the concept of Cambria Suites by Choice Hotels is the company's first foray into the select-service lifestyle segment and is designed for guests who want to take their lifestyle with them when traveling, featuring a stylish design more intimate than traditional hotel decor and guest suites that are larger than standard hotel rooms. The brand recently celebrated two distinct milestones: first, the opening of one of its flagship locations in Pittsburgh, Penn., adjacent to the new Consol Energy Center, home to the Pittsburgh Penguins; and second, the announcement of two soon-to-break-ground locations in Times Square and Chelsea, New York, totaling close to 200 and 150 guest suites respectively.

Also serving as SVP of global sales for Choice Hotels, Mr. Murphy has relied on his outstanding record of success, comprised of 25 years of experience in the hospitality industry, to transform the global sales team and the company's approach to B2B sales, surpassing annual goals and driving an average of more than $500 million annually in group, corporate and leisure travel to Choice brand properties within the past two years.

"Michael is a strategic, results-driven leader with a track record of operations success and experience at both the property and corporate levels,” said Bruce Haase, executive vice president, global brand, marketing and operations for Choice Hotels. "In addition to the strong relationships he has built over the years with hotel owners and other industry leaders, he has been responsible for growing revenue and improving property level performance by working closely with our hotel owners."

Prior to joining Choice Hotels in May 2009, Mr. Murphy served as senior vice president of sales for Marriott International, Inc., where he had the lead responsibility for business transient, group and leisure travel sales, with primary oversight for the association, government, affinity and small business customer segments. Prior to assuming this role at Marriott, Mr. Murphy advanced through several senior sales and marketing roles at Renaissance and Stouffer Hotels. He holds a bachelor's degree in hospitality management from the Rochester Institute of Technology's (RIT) School of Hotel Tourism Management.

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.

SOURCE Choice Hotels International, Inc.