News Release
Contacts:
Stephanie Bezner Tiffany Fessler Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts
GCI Group
770-604-5083 404-870-1835 stephanie.bezner@ichotelsgroup.com tfessler@gcigroup.com
Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts Joins Forces with Corporate
Angel Network
First hotel brand affiliation for non-profit organization
ATLANTA (August 26, 2003) - Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts
today announced its affiliation with Corporate Angel Network,
Inc. (CAN), a U.S.-based non-profit organization that has been
providing air transportation since 1981 to cancer patients, bone
marrow donors and bone marrow recipients who must travel to receive
specialized medical treatment.
Crowne Plaza, the first hotel company to become affiliated with
CAN, will provide room nights for the program's patients and their
families, who may have extended treatment stays in cities far
from home.
"The financial burdens of travel can be significant for people
undergoing serious medical treatment," said Kevin Kowalski,
vice president of brand management, Crowne Plaza Hotels &
Resorts. "Crowne Plaza's association will make it easier
for CAN patients to focus on what is truly important: getting
well."
"We are thrilled about Crowne Plaza's involvement with CAN,"
said Bonnie LeVar, executive director, Corporate Angel Network.
"Our patients will receive terrific accommodations when their
treatments require them to stay overnight."
Corporate Angel Network eases both the cost and the physical and
emotional stress of travel for cancer patients by arranging free
flights to treatment centers using empty seats on corporate jets
flying on routine business.
In addition to providing room nights to CAN patients, Crowne Plaza
Hotels & Resorts also will drive awareness of Corporate Angel
Network among consumers, corporate employees and franchisees via
a variety of vehicles, including the Web site and the company
Intranet. Crowne Plaza will hold a philanthropy event at the Atlanta
corporate office, and all proceeds will be donated to CAN.
Crowne Plaza
Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts, "The Place To Meet,"
is the ideal upscale hotel choice for small- to medium-sized business
meetings. Crowne Plaza provides personalized service and one point
of contact for hassle-free, successful meetings. In addition to
superior meetings offerings, Crowne Plaza hotels provide quality
fitness facilities, exceptional room accommodations and upscale
dining. With more than 190 hotels and 55,000 guest rooms in 49
countries, Crowne Plaza hotels are located in major urban
centers, gateway cities and resort destinations worldwide. For
reservations, call 1-800-2-CROWNE or go to www.crowneplaza.com.
For meetings, call 1-800-MEETING.
Corporate Angel Network
Corporate Angel Network is the only charitable organization in
the United States whose sole mission is to ease the emotional
stress, physical discomfort and financial burden of travel for
cancer patients by arranging free flights to treatment centers
using the empty seats on corporate aircraft flying on routine
business. CAN's 500 participating corporations have flown more
than 17,000 cancer patients to treatment since the organization
was founded in 1981.
Based in White Plains, NY, CAN occupies an office donated by
Westchester County. More than 60 part-time volunteers and six
paid staff work with patients, physicians, corporations, flight
departments and leading treatment facilities to arrange approximately
160 flights a month.
The program is open to all cancer patients, bone marrow donors,
and bone marrow recipients who are ambulatory and not in need
of medical support while travelling. Eligibility is not based
on financial need, and patients may travel as often as necessary.
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Note to Editors
InterContinental Hotels Group PLC of the United Kingdom [LON:IHG,
NYSE:IHG (ADRs)], owns, manages, leases or franchises, through
various subsidiaries, more than 3,300 hotels and 515,000 guest
rooms in nearly 100 countries and territories around the world
(www.ichotelsgroup.com). The Group owns a portfolio of well-recognized
and respected hotel brands, including InterContinental Hotels
& Resorts, Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts, Holiday Inn,
Holiday Inn Express, and Staybridge Suites, and also has a controlling
interest in Britvic, the second largest soft drinks manufacturer
in the UK.
InterContinental Hotels Group offers information and reservations
capability on the Internet - www.intercontinental.com for InterContinental
Hotels & Resorts, www.crowneplaza.com for Crowne Plaza Hotels
& Resorts, www.holiday-inn.com for Holiday Inn hotels, www.hiexpress.com
for Holiday Inn Express hotels, www.staybridge.com for Staybridge
Suites by Holiday Inn hotels and, for the Group's rewards program,
www.priorityclub.com.
For the latest news from InterContinental Hotels Group, visit
our online Press Office at
www.pressoffice.ihgplc.com.
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