| January |
| • |
The first non-MainStay Suites Express Services Kiosk
is installed in the Comfort Inn DFW Airport South of Irving, Tex. |
| • |
Choice launches a triple miles promotion with American Airlines,
Delta Air Lines, Northwest Airlines and US Airways.
|
February |
| • |
Print and television ads (which air during the 2002
Winter Olympics) are launched to promote the “Triple Miles”
and “Thanks a Million” sweepstakes. |
| • |
Choice’s Strategic Alliances department negotiates
a low-cost benefits package for medical, dental, vision, prescription
drug and life insurance coverage that franchisees can offer to their
employees. |
March |
| • |
Four new senior directors are selected to complete
the new brand management team under Thom Hall, national vice president,
Brand Management and Strategies. |
April |
| • |
Franchisees and hotel managers gain access to each
brand’s Rules and Regulations via ChoiceCentral, an on-line information
source. |
May |
| • |
Rudy Guiliani, former mayor of New York City, speaks
to more than 4,000 attendees at Choice’s 48th Annual Convention
in Atlanta. |
| • |
Revamped Franchise Services makes its debut at the
Annual Convention with Janna Morrison, senior vice president, discussing
the changes with Chuck Ledsinger, president and chief executive officer. |
| • |
Choice’s mid-priced brands offer a “Free
Fuel, Free McDonald’s Meal” promotion at 2,400 hotels nationwide
to launch the summer travel season. |
June |
| • |
The Econo Lodge and Rodeway Inn brands team up with
Lowe’s Home Improvement Warehouse for the “Race In, You
Could Win” promotion, giving away collectible scratch-and-win
cards. |
| • |
HVS Executive Search names Chuck Ledsinger, Choice’s
president and chief executive officer, as the lodging industry’s
top chief executive officer for 2001. |
| • |
Sports Web site, www.choicesportstravel.com, makes
booking rooms for teams, athletes and fans easier by offering a streamlined
online booking process. |
|
| July |
| • |
Choice acquires a 55% controlling interest in Melbourne-based
Flag Choice Hotels of Australia with an option to purchase the remaining
45% over a five-year period. |
| • |
The Minority Incentive Program is created to encourage
franchise sales to African American, Hispanic and Native American
developers. |
| • |
Redesigned ChoiceBuys.com offers franchisees an enhanced
on-line shopping experience with new time- and money-saving features. |
August |
| • |
“Room in a Can” is launched, providing franchisees
with an integrated turnkey solution for a property’s
furniture, fixture and equipment, operation supplies, and procurement
requirements. |
September |
| • |
Choice offers a “Get Together Sweepstakes”
to promote fall leisure travel. |
| • |
Sleep Inn brand celebrates milestone of 300 hotels
in the United States with the opening of the Sleep Inn, Inn &
Suites hotel of Bensalem, Pa. |
October |
| • |
International Operators Council, the Choice Hotels
International Foundation and franchisees donate more than $56,000
to three
non-profit agencies that provide financial
assistance to families of Navy, Army, Marine
and Air Force personnel. |
November |
| • |
Choice extends the contract of Chuck Ledsinger as president
and chief executive officer for
another four years through October 2006. |
| • |
Brent Russell is named chief executive officer of Flag
Choice Hotels of Australia. |
| • |
Choice Hotels Canada launches its Choice Club Plus
program, which builds on the amenities and services club members already
receive in Choice Club. |
December |
| • |
New prototypes for the Econo Lodge brand include a
first-ever “Inn & Suites” option. |
| • |
The Quick Check Review is added to the Quality Assurance
Review system, giving properties receiving award-eligible scores an
abbreviated consumer-focused review. |
|
