Homewood Suites by Hilton® Honors Columbia, SC

Brand’s Annual Conference Pays Tribute to Exceptional Service

Columbia, SC – March 2, 2009 – Homewood Suites by Hilton®, the international brand of all-suite, residential-style hotels, announced the list of team members and hotels honored with awards at the brand’s 20^th annual conference in San Diego, Calif. last week. Ninety hotels were recognized in 12 different categories among the brand’s more than 260 hotels for their exemplary customer service, adherence to Homewood Suites values, and leadership within the industry. Homewood Suites by Hilton of Columbia was awarded Complimentary Services Team of the Year, Reservation Team of the Year, and Consistency in Delivery award for 8 “Outstanding” grades for quality assurance evaluations in a row. Last year, this same hotel won Front Desk Team of the Year as well as General Manager of the Year.

The entire staff works diligently to provide friendly and efficient customer service, clean comfortable surroundings, and high-quality accommodations. Our complimentary services staff, lead by Cry Leggett, continues to exceed our customer’s expectations. Her friendly leadership has directed her team to always listen for opportunities to serve our guests.

“In this down economy, top-notch customer service, targeted sales strategies and efficient hotel operations become even more important to the success of our individual hotels and our brand as a whole,” said Bill Duncan, Global Head of Brand Management, Homewood Suites by Hilton. “Homewood Suites takes pride in outrageously pleasing our guests and we congratulate these top performers with our brand’s highest honors.”

The brand’s annual conference gives general managers and sales directors the opportunity to participate in a variety of intensive training programs, including sessions on revenue management, food and beverage, and sales/marketing. Additionally, networking breaks and other team-building activities help to unify the brand voice and allow for individuals to share ideas, express best practices, and learn about unique programs.

Located at 230 Greystone Blvd, Homewood Suites Columbia offers a mix of 81 studio and one bedroom suites designed for the extended-stay traveler. Amenities include complimentary Suite Start hot breakfast buffet daily, Manager’s Welcome Home reception Monday – Thursday, complimentary parking, onsite heated indoor pool and whirlpool, complimentary HSIA, business center, and meeting space for up to 75 people. Nearby attractions include Riverbanks Zoo and Botanical Garden, USC, and Government Offices. For more information about rates and specials, call 803-239-4663.

Hilton® Columbia Center Voted #1 in North America by Guests

Only a year and a half after its grand opening, the Hilton® Columbia Center, is honored to receive top recognition by being ranked #1 by their guests out of all 287 full-service Hilton® hotels in North America.

According to the Hilton® Brand-Americas Voice of the Customer Survey, the Hilton® Columbia Center received the top ranking as #1 for overall guest services and amenities. Guests are asked to participate in the Voice of the Customer Survey by providing feedback on overall service, plans to return, and if problems occurred during their stay.

Located in the center of the financial, entertainment and historic Vista district, the Hilton® Columbia Center hotel opened in August 2007 and has hosted guests from all over the world. Managed by Hospitality America, the Hilton® Columbia Center has been the choice hotel for distinguished heads of state, such as former President Bill Clinton and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. During the presidential primaries, the Hilton® Columbia Center also welcomed Senator John McCain and hosted press events at the hotel with all the major television networks.

The Hilton® Columbia Center is adjacent to the Columbia Convention Center and Colonial Life Arena. This prime location has made it the premier hotel downtown to see and be seen with celebrities and music artists. The Hilton Columbia Hotel has also been selected as the choice hotel by multiple Hollywood stars, such as James Caan, James Marsden, Kirstie Allie and Jake Gyllenhaal.

Hospitality America oversees 222 beautifully appointed guestrooms and suites, including 2 Presidential Suites, heated outdoor pool, fitness center by Precor® and 6,000 square feet of flexible meeting and event space. The Hilton® Columbia Center offers complimentary wired and wireless high-speed internet access in all areas of the hotel.

Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse, located within the Hilton® Columbia Center, has also been honored as the “Best Steakhouse in Columbia” by patrons and readers of the Freetimes and Columbia Metropolitan Magazine. The restaurant’s on-site location provides guests with fine dining experiences for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

The Hilton-Columbia Center’s General Manager, Tony Tam, was just recognized as South Carolina's Hotel Manager of the Year by the Hospitality Association of South Carolina. Founded and headquartered in Tennessee, Hospitality America presently operates 11 hotels and 1,423 rooms in Florida, South Carolina and Tennessee. Hospitality America is currently ranked as a Top 10 Hotel Management Company by Occupancy in the Nation by HOTEL BUSINESS’ Annual Rankings.

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Two New Exciting Events as part of the 2009 SC Book Festival

The SC Book Festival will host a singer/songwriter panel presentation on Sunday, March 1 at 2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. The event is free and will be held in Richland Room B of the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center. Presentation and discussion will be lead by Danielle Howle, Paul Allen, and Tyler Mechem.

WeAreRadio, “The Sound and Voice of South Carolina Rock and Roll”, will be on site as the official Radio Media for the event and its musicians. WeAreRadio will be located throughout the festival at Booth #112.

Starting at 5:30 p.m., Stephen Webb with WeAreRadio will emcee the singer/songwriter live music night. Opening act will be Owen Beverly and John Satterfield featuring performances from Paul Allen, Tyler Mechem and Danielle Howl. Special guest performances will be by Josh Roberts, Daniel Kyre, and Brian Connor. A late-night performance is scheduled to be preformed by the Daniel Kyre Band.

Tickets for the live music night are $10 in advance online, $12 at the door, and $5 for ages18 years and under. You can pick up tickets at Sudworks in Five Points located at 733 Santee Avenue in Columbia or online at etix.com.

C-SPAN New Civics Bus to Visit SC Book Festival February 26- March 1

The award-winning C-SPAN Civics Bus is back on the road on its new “100 Days, 100 Schools” national tour. The 45-foot mobile production studio and demonstration center will travel to Columbia and finish up its tour at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center after stopping at Airport High School, Ben Lippen School, the West Columbia Rotary, and Benedict College. Time Warner in Columbia is hosting the Bus during its visit.

The Bus will be open for talks with students and teachers at Airport and Ben Lippen schools. The public is invited aboard the Bus at Benedict College and the South Carolina Book Festival. We will also be filming interviews for C-SPAN2’s BookTV at the festival.

Thursday, February 26

· Airport High School, West Columbia, SC: 9:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m.
· Ben Lippen School, Columbia, SC: 11:45 a.m.- 2:00 p.m.

Friday, February 27

· West Metro/West Columbia Rotary, Holiday Inn Columbia Airport: 7:30 a.m.-9:15 a.m.
· Benedict College, Columbia, SC: 11:00 a.m.- 1:00 p.m.

Saturday, February 28

· South Carolina Book Festival, Columbia Convention Center: 9:00 a.m.-5:30 p.m.

Sunday, March 1

· South Carolina Book Festival, Columbia Convention Center: 11:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

Two thousand nine marks the bus’s sixteenth year on the road. With a new exterior design wrap and an interior with the latest television production equipment, the C-SPAN Civics Bus is scheduled to travel to Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, California, Oregon and Washington state. For more information and the latest schedule, visit our website at www.c-span.org/schoolbus.

Students, teachers and the public will have the chance to tour the bus during stops and learn about the many resources C-SPAN offers, including the network’s education website, C-SPAN Classroom (www.c-spanclassroom.org) a free membership service for educators with downloadable video clips; the C-SPAN Video library (www.c-spanarchives.org ); and C-SPAN’s coverage of the new administration.

Midlands Authority Recognizes 2008 Employee of the Year

The Midlands Authority for Conventions, Sports & Tourism (MACST) is pleased to announce Kelly Barbrey as the Employee of the Year Award recipient for 2008. As Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Barbrey is responsible for the marketing efforts of the Columbia Metropolitan Convention & Visitors Bureau, the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center, the Columbia Regional Sports Council and the Columbia Regional Visitors Center. She is also responsible for each entity’s advertising plan as well as overseeing the sales of each department.

Barbrey was incredibly instrumental in Columbia’s latest marketing campaign; Columbia, SC Famously Hot. Her strong leadership skills directed the hiring of the MACST’s newest advertising agency, ADCO, as well working with other community leaders to set the direction of the new campaign. Her expertise in the convention and meetings industry has landed Columbia in premier trade publications with prime locations for targeting meeting planners. In addition, all of the partner services, marketing, and communications for the organization are under her management.

President/CEO for the MACST, Ric Luber, states, “Kelly is an exceptionally smart and sharp professional. She embodies the characteristics of a true leader and has gotten all those under her administration pumped up and aggressive in competing within our industry. She did a fantastic job with spear-heading the efforts of our new marketing campaign and she is just a joy to work with and her creativity is top-notch. We are very proud of her work and accomplishments.”

Calling All Brides to the Convention Center

Brides have a lot to do before they say “I do.” Flower arrangements, photography, and music selection for the reception are the kinds of choices that can turn a bride into a bridezilla. That’s why Koska Productions and 104.7 WNOK are presenting the WNOK Bridal Expo at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center so that brides can have everything they need under one roof. The WNOK Bridal Expo will be held at the convention center on Sunday, February 22, 2009.

The event is open to the public with an admission fee of $7. The expo will run from 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. and feature many vendors for brides to explore. For more information on vendor participation, please visit www.bridecity.com or call Michael Koska at 803.865.9497.

SC Book Festival Turns Another Page At The Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center

Hot spot for meetings & conventions hosts 13th Annual Book Festival

Columbia, SC – (January 29, 2009) Avid readers across the globe know there is nothing like curling up with a good book every now and then. And bookworms in Columbia and South Carolina get a kick out of reading the work of a local author. That’s why every year thousands of people from South Carolina and beyond flock to the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center (CMCC) to get their hands on the latest from their hometown authors and other novelists. This year is no exception. The CMCC is pleased to announce the return of the SC Book Festival. The festival, in its 13th year, will run February 27 -28 and March 1.

Activities will feature award-winning authors discussing their works and other interesting literary topics. The three day festival will include an opening night gala with guest speaker Scott Turow, workshops and panel discussions, book signings, exhibitors, book sales, and a Sunday brunch event. Admission is free for all events held on Saturday, February 28 and Sunday, March 1. Registration is required for the featured workshops. For more details on registration and schedule of events, please visit www.scbookfestival.org for more details.

SC Book Festival will feature noted authors including Ernest F. “Fritz” Hollings, Berverly Jenkins, Mary Alice Monroe, and Ron Rash. Other authors include Dan Albergotti, David Bajo.