OMNI HOTEL AT CNN CENTER REMAINS OPEN FOR BUSINESS AFTER ATLANTA TORNADO

ATLANTA (March 20, 2008) -- The Omni Hotel at CNN Center today announces that restoration has already begun in the aftermath of the tornado that hit downtown Atlanta on March 14th. The hotel remained open during the storm and is currently operating with approximately 600 guestrooms, the vast majority of its meeting space and its full compliment of food & beverage venues. Management expects most of the restoration to be complete by mid April. The property is currently hosting a group of 400 guests in the North Tower for this week's U.S. Department of Energy conference.

A thorough assessment of all 1,070 guestrooms and other facilities in both towers of the Omni Hotel at CNN Center is nearly complete. It has been determined that of the South Tower’s 470 guestrooms, approximately 170 rooms suffered broken window glass and related damages. Correspondingly, of the 600 guest rooms in the North Tower, only eight (8) experienced damage. 

Restoration on the South Tower has already begun with all guestrooms closed to minimize disruption. By mid-April, approximately 850 guestrooms will be available.

The Omni Hotel at CNN Center is also working diligently with the Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau and other members of the hotel community, especially its partners through the Convention Collection at Centennial Olympic Park (CCCOP), to effectively relocate business where necessary.

“We are grateful there were no major injuries which we attribute to our associates’ and the city’s prompt response,” said Gary Froeba, area managing director of the hotel. “It is remarkable that the North Tower had limited damage, and we have been able to continue serving customer needs. We look forward to the fast return of the rest of our hotel and the other facilities in the immediate area, reinforcing Atlanta’s leading position in the meetings and conventions industry.”