Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE:CHH) today announced the promotion of Michael Parent to vice president, new hotel sales support, a newly created division of the company.

In his new role, Parent will be responsible for leading a team of sales professionals who, in conjunction with the assigned franchise sales directors, will assist each new hotel in reaching its fair market share within 90 to 120 days after opening.

Parent was formerly senior director of field services for strategic partnerships and previously served as director of sales and marketing with the Potomac Hotel Group and Guest Quarters Hotels where he led sales and marketing efforts regionally and at the individual hotel level. He has also operated his own consulting company specializing in local hospitality marketing.

While at Choice, Parent was instrumental in conceiving and producing the new quarterly publication from strategic partnerships, Primary Source, which offers hints and tips on how franchisees can operate their businesses more successfully.

“Since joining Choice in May of 1998, Parent has been responsible for successfully assembling and implementing a dedicated field service organization for Choice`s strategic partnerships department,” said Mark C. Wells, senior vice president, marketing. “His proven ability to launch a new and successful field program positions him well for the challenge of launching the newest field staff initiative, known as the new hotel sales support team.”

Parent received a bachelor`s degree in communications from the University of Maryland.

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