The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) has announced that Choice Hotels International (NYSE:CHI) has agreed to become the “Official Hotel Partner” of the NAIA. Under terms of the agreement, Choice will provide NAIA member institutions with a centralized number for hotel reservations and discounted room rates. The agreement extends through 2005.

The agreement also specifies that Choice`s Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, Clarion, Quality, Sleep Inn, Econo Lodge, Rodeway Inn and Mainstay Suites brands will be promoted exclusively to the NAIA membership through various means, including access to the more than 2,700 NAIA coaches and athletic directors across the United States and Canada, who generate approximately 50,000-70,000 roomnights annually.

“The partnership with Choice is a perfect fit for the NAIA and our 332 member institutions,” said Steve Baker, NAIA President and CEO. “While many schools are in major metropolitan areas, a number of our schools are situated in rural communities. With Choice having more than 3,500 locations in North America, it is likely that a very high percentage of our members will take advantage of the outstanding accommodations and great rates offered by Choice properties.”

“Aligning ourselves with the NAIA makes absolute sense for Choice,” said Brian Parker, Choice`s director of sports marketing and sales. “Their member institutions have extensive reach throughout the United States, as do our hotels, and NAIA sports teams are value conscious when it comes to hotel selection. Our franchisees will benefit from this partnership.”

Choice Hotels International (NYSE: CHH) franchises more than 5,000 hotels, inns, all-suite hotels and resorts open and under development in 43 countries under the Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, Quality, Clarion, Sleep, Rodeway Inn, Econo Lodge and Mainstay Suites brands.

Founded as a small-college basketball tournament in 1937, the NAIA is a leader in the world of intercollegiate athletics. The NAIA was the first intercollegiate organization to offer athletic opportunities to all student-athletes, regardless of race or ethnic background, and the first intercollegiate organization to conduct championships for both men and women. The NAIA currently offers 23 separate championships in 13 sports, and has 332 colleges and universities in 44 states and three Canadian provinces as member institutions.

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