Silver Spring, Md. (June, 2002)—Choice Hotels International (NYSE:CHH), one of the world`s largest lodging franchisors, was the presenting sponsor of the 12th Annual Chef`s Best Dinner & Auction at The Hilton Washington & Towers in Washington, D.C. on Monday, June 3.

The Chef`s Best Dinner & Auction is hosted by Food & Friends, an organization delivering nutritious meals and groceries to individuals fighting HIV and AIDS, breast cancer and other life-challenging illnesses throughout the Washington Metropolitan area. More than 60 chefs and 1,500 guests attended the event including Washington D.C. Mayor Anthony Williams, Mrs. Diane Williams and U.S. Representative Connie Morella.

The Chef`s Best Dinner & Auction raised $646,000. All proceeds will directly benefit people in the Washington Metropolitan area living with HIV, AIDS and other life-challenging illnesses like breast cancer.

“Choice Hotels International is proud to be the presenting sponsor of the 12th Annual Chef`s Best Dinner & Auction,” said Charles A. Ledsinger, Jr., Choice`s president and chief executive officer. “We salute the dedicated staff and committed volunteers of Food & Friends for their ongoing service to the community.”

For the second consecutive year, the Choice Hotels International Foundation acted as presenting sponsor of the Chef`s Best Dinner & Auction, donating $25,000 to Food & Friends.

Based in Silver Spring, Md., Choice Hotels International franchises more than 5,000 hotels open or under development worldwide under the Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, Quality, Clarion, Sleep Inn, Econo Lodge, Rodeway Inn and MainStay Suites brand names.

In November 1999, Choice established the Choice Hotels International Foundation to target and coordinate support for nonprofit charitable and educational organizations. In the past year, the Choice Hotels International Foundation has also given grants to the American Red Cross, the Habitat for Humanity, Howard University, the United Planning Organization`s Martin Luther King Scholarship Fund and the D.C. Boys Choir.

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