Choice Hotels International`s Senior Vice President of Marketing Wayne Wielgus has been named by the Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI) as one of the “25 Most Extraordinary Sales and Marketing Minds in Hospitality and Travel.”

Nominees to the first annual Top 25 list were reviewed and scored by HSMAI`s Executive Committee, which is comprised of senior executives throughout the hospitality and travel industries. Wielgus, along with other executives named to the list, will be honored at the Adrian Awards Night Dinner on Monday, January 26, 2004 in New York.

“A true visionary, Wayne has a keen ability to identify market trends and to develop programs that enrich the travel experience for consumers,” said Charles A. Ledsinger, Jr., Choice Hotels` president and CEO. “Under Wayne`s leadership, Choice Hotels has launched some of the most innovative marketing programs in the industry. I am proud to have him on our executive team here at Choice Hotels, and I join HSMAI`s leadership in saluting him.”

In his role with Choice, Wielgus is responsible for marketing, sales, advertising and reservations programs for more than 5,000 franchised hotels open and under development in 42 countries. Since joining Choice in September 2000, Wielgus has spearheaded the re-imaging of the Comfort Suites, Quality and Sleep Inn brands, launched numerous successful marketing programs including the award winning Thanks for Traveling campaign, and developed invaluable partnerships, all of which increased Choice`s incremental business.

A 25-year industry veteran, Wielgus previously served in executive level positions for some of the industries leading hotel companies.

HSMAI is an international organization of sales and marketing professionals representing all segments of the hospitality industry. With a strong focus on education, HSMAI has become the industry champion in identifying and communicating trends in the hospitality industry, while operating as a leading voice for both hospitality and sales and marketing management disciplines. Founded in 1927, HSMAI is an individual membership organization comprising nearly 7,000 members from 35 countries and 60 chapters worldwide.

Choice Hotels International is one of the world`s largest lodging franchisors, marketing more than 5,000 hotels open or under development in 41 countries and territories under the Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, Quality, Sleep Inn, Clarion, MainStay Suites, Econo Lodge, and Rodeway Inn brand names. For more information on Choice, visit the company`s web site at www.choicehotels.com.

Choice Hotels, Choice Hotels International, Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, Quality, Sleep Inn, Clarion, MainStay Suites, Econo Lodge, and Rodeway Inn are the proprietary trademarks and service marks of Choice Hotels International Inc.

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