January 8, 2007
OLD EDWARDS HOSPITALITY GROUP ANNOUNCES
ANNUAL SERVICE CHAMPIONS AWARDS

HIGHLANDS, NC- Old Edwards Hospitality Group is pleased to announce Service Champions for December 2006. The Service Champion Program is utilized to reward and recognize associates who go above and beyond the call of duty to meet and exceed the resort guest’s expectations.

Throughout the year, department heads nominate associates for the Service Champion Program. Each month, associates are recognized at an appreciation gathering. Associates with the most qualifying nominations are awarded gold, silver and bronze awards with monetary prize equivalents of $250, $100 and $50 respectively. At the end of the year, three Champions are selected from these recipients and prizes are awarded in the gold ($1000), silver ($500) and bronze ($250) categories.

2006 Service Champions:
GOLD--Bruce Burnell, Front Office-Bellman-Concierge
SILVER--Eneida Pacheco, Housekeeping Supervisor
BRONZE--Jay Kulaskofsky, Server (Madison’s Restaurant and Wine Garden)

“By setting goals and rewarding the staff members regularly, we encourage positive motivation and set a standard for excellence that is not only attainable, it becomes second nature. This level of service is what sets us apart as the award-winning property that we have become,” said Mario Gomes, Old Edwards Inn Chief Executive Officer and General Manager.

Winners were recognized at the year-end associate appreciation gathering in late December 2006.

The Old Edwards Inn and Spa is located at 445 Main Street, Highlands, NC 28741, 828-526-8008 or 1-866-526-8008. The Old Edwards Hospitality Group, LLC, founded in 2003, includes the Old Edwards Inn and Spa, Madison’s Restaurant and Wine Garden, The Farm special events facility, Acorns retail shop; The Lodge at Old Edwards Inn, Rib Shack, The Laundry and Dry Cleaners at Old Edwards Inn and Miss Priss-Charlotte at Stonecrest.

The Old Edwards Inn and Spa is a AAA-Four Diamond award winner; a member of the National Trust Historic Hotels of America and a member of Boutique-the newest brand within Preferred Hotel Group. The property is a Recommended Hotel in Condé Nast Johansens Recommended Hotels, Inns and Resorts Guide for 2005, 2006 and 2007 and was nominated for Most Excellent Inn 2006. Madison’s Restaurant and Wine Garden received Wine Spectator magazine’s Award of Excellence in 2005 and 2006.

For more information, contact:
Elizabeth McDonald
McDonald Media
404-822-3788 or lizzie@mcdonald-media.com