Wingate Inns International, Inc. was on the receiving end of another industry award as the hotel chain earned a 2000 AH&MA Achievement Award for developing an outstanding strategy in guest relations at the corporate lodging chain level. Wingate Inns received the award for the introduction of its “my-tech” strategy, which features technology-based amenities that enable guests to remain productive and save time while traveling, as well as offering them personalized service.

“Winning an AH&MA Achievement Award is a wonderful accolade since the organization represents the entire hospitality industry,” says Keith Pierce, president and CEO of Wingate Inns International, Inc. “Wingate’s ‘my-tech’ strategy focuses on the fact that the majority of our clientele are business travelers who are comfortable with technology. These guests are used to, and require, a certain level of technology-based amenities, such as high-speed Internet access, that enable them to remain productive and save time while traveling. So that’s the amenities we offer them.”

The American Hotel & Motel Association (AH&MA) honored the winners of the AH&MA Achievement Awards, the 34th anniversary of this prestigious program, during the AH&MA Stars of the Industry awards breakfast at this year’s AH&MA Annual Conference & Leadership Forum/The Lodging Expo. The awards were created in 1966 to acknowledge individual properties and chains that have developed outstanding public relations campaigns. Categories include community service, enviro-management, guest relations, and special events, one-time only and ongoing.

Pierce continues, “While the brand introduced free high-speed Internet access throughout its hotels in 1999, 2000 will be even better for Wingate Inn hotel guests as we begin the rollout of our next ‘my-tech’ offering—personalized/virtual concierge type services. This personalization of service initiative will initially be offered to members of our frequent traveler club and then eventually for all guests. We will also become the first paperless hotel brand, both externally and internally, resulting in zero-time communication, enabling us to become more connected to our guests and our franchisees.”

Wingate Inns International Inc. is an all-new construction hotel chain that opened its first franchised hotel in July 1996. Its focused service, upper mid-market franchised hotels feature sophisticated, consumer-based technology and comfortable, oversized rooms that were created in response to business travelers’ needs. All Wingate Inn hotels are independently owned and operated under franchise agreements. Reservations can be made by calling Wingate Inns’ toll-free reservation center at 1.800.228.1000 or through the company’s website at www.wingateinns.com. Wingate Inns International Inc. is a subsidiary of Cendant Corporation (NYSE: CD).

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