NEWS RELEASE:
CHIP Hospitality's Friends in Need program contributes over $76,000 to
community charities across Canada
Company finishes award-winning year with successful annual fundraising drive
VANCOUVER, BC (January xx, 2007) - CHIP Hospitality's seventh annual Friends in Need holiday
promotion has raised over $76,000 for local charities across Canada.
Running during the December holiday period, the annual Friends In Need promotion offered travellers
discounted room rates at 31 hotels across Canada with $10 from each night’s stay going to community
charities. The program was launched nationally in 2000 by CHIP Hospitality (www.GreatCanadianHotels.com)
and runs at all hotels managed by the company. Dozens of charitable and community organizations
have benefited from over $676,000 raised over the past seven years.
Twenty-three charities were earmarked by individual hotels as partners for Friends in Need 2006,
including Access AIDS in Sault St. Marie, Canadian Red Cross in Saskatoon, and Noel des enfants
in Quebec City.
“The Red Cross designates the funds for disaster response. For example, in the case of a house
fire where the structure badly damaged or completely burned, we provide the family with food,
shelter and clothing for the first 72 hours, which is a tremendous time of need for people who
have suffered a devastating loss,” says Chriss Gates, Region Director for the Canadian Red Cross
in Saskatoon. “The Friends In Need funds helps our community know that the Canadian Red Cross
can be there in a time of need.”
The Friends in Need program is part of CHIP Hospitality’s “Hotels with Heart” initiative for giving
back to its communities. “Our company is enjoying its success in no small part due to the support
of the communities where we own and manage hotels, and this is one way that we can give support
back to those communities,” says Ed Pitoniak, CHIP Hospitality President and CEO. “Since the
program’s launch, CHIP Hospitality associates have embraced Friends in Need with enthusiasm, and
have committed themselves to its success. The program provides good value for our guests while
raising money for local charities.”
2006 was an outstanding year for CHIP Hospitality. Not only did the company finish the year strongly
with Friends in Need, it was awarded a Pinnacle Award for Company of the Year in 2006. The Pinnacle
Awards are the foodservice and hospitality industry’s only national recognition program. The company
was recognized for its impact on the industry, significant innovations and accomplishments and
community spirit. CHIP Hospitality is the first real estate income trust to win a Pinnacle Award
since their inception in 1994. The company has provided strong economic returns for its investors
and pioneered a number of innovative business and community outreach programs.
CHIP Hospitality is one of Canada’s leading hotel management companies and currently manages 32hotels
and resorts in Canada with more than 7,700 rooms. The company manages independent hotels and hotels
operating under major franchise brands including some Delta Hotels, Crowne Plaza, Radisson, Residence
Inn by Marriott, Holiday Inn, Hilton, Quality, Gouverneur, Best Western, Ramada and Coast properties.
A subsidiary of CHIP REIT, CHIP Hospitality uses management strategies, upgrades, repositioning
and franchising to improve the operating performance of the properties in its portfolio to create
value for its investors and owners. CHIP REIT units trade on the TSX under the symbol HOT.un,
HOT.db and Hot.db.a.
Note to editors: For a complete list of local charities benefiting from this national program,
and of the participating hotels, please visit the Press Room at www.CHIPHospitality.com
Contact:
Deirdre Campbell, Tartan Public Relations
Tel: (250) 592-3838 or (250) 892-9199 cell
deirdre@tartanpr.com
Holly Peterson, CHIP Hospitality
Tel: (604) 646-8787 or (604) 512-9198 cell
Hpeterson@CHIPHospitality.com
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