Hotel, Convention Center Now Accepting Reservations in Advance of Fall 2008 Opening
NORMAN, Okla., and SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Sept. 25, 2007 – John Q. Hammons Hotels & Resorts (www.jqhhotels.com) today announced that Sara Furr has been named the senior sales manager for the new Embassy Suites® – Norman Hotel & Convention Center under development at I-35, two miles from the University of Oklahoma. The hotel and convention center’s new sales office is now open on location at 2501 Conference Drive and is accepting reservations in advance of the hotel’s anticipated fall 2008 opening.
The 10-story, 283-suite hotel will be owned by Mr. John Q. Hammons and managed by Springfield, Mo.-based John Q. Hammons Hotels & Resorts, the nation’s leading independent builder, developer, owner and manager of upscale, full-service hotels, resorts and suites. The adjacent convention center will be owned by the city of Norman and managed by John Q. Hammons Hotels & Resorts.
Furr will be responsible for driving sales to the hotel and convention center, as well as coordinating all group business. Her several years of experience in the Oklahoma City hospitality industry, most recently with Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc., make her a valuable resource to the Embassy Suites – Norman Hotel & Convention Center.
“With Sara in place, we are one step closer to being open for business,” said Robert Fugazi, regional vice president, John Q. Hammons Hotels & Resorts. “We have confidence in Sara and know that she’ll do an excellent job spearheading the sales efforts at our new property.”
The Embassy Suites – Norman Hotel & Convention Center is scheduled to have a topping-off ceremony in November 2007 to celebrate the completion of the highest structural point of the new hotel, with the anticipated opening for the hotel and convention center slated for October 2008.
With more than 45,000 net square feet of total meeting and exhibit space, the $50 million property is part of the University North Park mixed-use major development project located east of I-35 between Robinson and Tecumseh Road. With a major retail complex, lifestyle center, park, office complexes, multi-family housing projects and businesses targeted for economic development by the city of Norman, the 585-acre University North Park development will be the fourth-largest open-air shopping mall in the United States.
“We’ve already received a lot of interest from people wanting to reserve meeting space at the Embassy Suites – Norman Hotel & Convention Center, and we are pleased to announce that the property can now accept reservations,” said Mr. John Q. Hammons, founder, chairman and chief executive officer of John Q. Hammons Hotels & Resorts.
The company currently operates more than 73 hotel and resort properties across the United States, including three in Oklahoma City and one in Tulsa.
Making a Reservation
To make a hotel reservation or to book a group function prior to the opening of the Embassy Suites ─ Norman Hotel & Convention Center, contact (405) 364-8040, fax (405) 364-3377 or email okces@jqh.com.
Area Information
Norman is the third largest city in Oklahoma with a population of 93,759. Located 17 miles south of the state capital, Oklahoma City, area attractions include: the University of Oklahoma, the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History on the University of Oklahoma campus, the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art on the University of Oklahoma campus, local casinos, Lake Thunderbird State Park and Little River Zoo.
Hotel Information
To be built with the signature atrium style of John Q. Hammons Hotels & Resorts, the Embassy Suites ─ Norman Hotel & Convention Center will boast an architectural style that complements the design of the adjoining convention center. The hotel’s décor will emit a contemporary flair that invites guests to enjoy the exceptional appointments and outstanding customer service that defines the John Q. Hammons Hotels & Resorts and the Embassy Suites Hotels brands. The hotel will feature a variety of amenities for both business and leisure travelers and will be beautifully decorated to make guests feel at home. Each guest suite will feature a private bedroom and spacious living room, that will be equipped with two plasma televisions, refrigerator, wet bar, microwave oven, coffee maker, two telephones with data ports, high-speed Internet access, spacious work desk and in-room safe boxes. Guests may enjoy a luxurious open atrium with a water feature. The hotel will offer 24-hour room service, same-day dry cleaning, and daily cooked-to-order breakfast and manager’s reception. Other features include a fitness center, indoor pool, sundeck, and upscale sports bar & grille serving lunch and dinner daily.
About John Q. Hammons Hotels & Resorts
Springfield, Mo.-based John Q. Hammons Hotels & Resorts is the nation’s leading independent builder, developer, owner and manager of upscale, full-service hotels, resorts and suites, including: Embassy Suites Hotels, Renaissance, Marriott, Radisson, Residence Inn, Homewood Suites by Hilton, Holiday Inn and Courtyard by Marriott brands. With 73 hotels strategically located near demand generators, such as state capitals, universities, airports, corporate headquarters or office parks in secondary and tertiary markets, John Q. Hammons Hotels & Resorts’ properties are dominant in their markets. Over the course of his impressive career in the hotel business, Mr. Hammons has developed 187 hotels. For more information about John Q. Hammons Hotels & Resorts, please visit the company’s Web site at www.jqhhotels.com.
