Wyndham Announces Exclusive Partnership With Business and Professional Women/USA

Business Wire, Sept 30, 1999

DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 30, 1999--

Wyndham To Become Official Hotel Company

of Prestigious National Women's Organization

Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, a division of Wyndham International (NYSE:WYN), will become the official hotel company for Business and Professional Women/USA (BPW/USA).

"This new partnership is a natural progression of Wyndham's long-term commitment to women business travelers and the evolution of our 'Women on Their Way' program," said Les Bentley, president, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts. "We support BPW/USA's goal to promote equality for all women in the workplace and believe our affiliation will be mutually beneficial," he added.

Wyndham's initial 18-month partnership with Business and Professional Women/USA will include:

-- special negotiated rates (beginning Jan. 15, 2000) that provide a

significant member discount at any Wyndham;

-- a donation directly to the BPW Foundation Scholarship Fund,

enabling low income working women to complete their undergraduate

and graduate education so they can achieve career advancement,

greater equity in today's work force and financial

self-sufficiency;

-- in-kind Wyndham room nights for BPW/USA events;

-- allocation of funds allowing 25 Wyndham employees to become

BPW/USA members;

-- BPW/USA representation on the Wyndham "Women on Their Way"

Advisory Board, a panel of frequent women business travelers who

advise Wyndham on the development and evaluation of new products

and programs designed to appeal to the growing group of women

traveling on business.

In addition, Wyndham will feature BPW/USA information on their Web site for women business travelers, www.womenontheirway.com, and BPW/USA members will be among the first to take advantage of Wyndham's promotional offers and packages announced on the site throughout the year.

"Women business travelers are not only looking for a hotel company that offers the products and services they desire, but one that recognizes the challenges facing them in their professional and personal lives," said Cary Jehl Broussard, director of Wyndham's "Women on Their Way" program. "Wyndham continually seeks out strategic partnerships and opportunities that will enhance both women's business travel experiences and their positions in today's competitive workplace."

Other organizations that are supported by Wyndham's "Women on Their Way" program include the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) and the Susan G. Komen Foundation. Wyndham is the national hotel partner for each of these organizations.

Wyndham's "Women On Their Way" program is a distinctive, award-winning initiative designed to serve women business travelers by constantly staying in touch with them and evolving to meet their changing needs. Over the years, the program has achieved a number of milestones, including the development of an advisory board, a research arrangement with New York University and an innovative Web site (www.womenontheirway.com) -- all designed to elicit feedback from women business travelers. Other accomplishments include in-room amenity upgrades, in-room dining enhancements and the growing number of strategic partnerships with women advocacy groups.

Business and Professional Women/USA, founded in 1919, promotes equity for all women in the workplace through advocacy, education and information. With 70,000 members in more than 2,000 local organizations represented in every congressional district in the country, BPW/USA includes among its members women and men of every age, race, religion, political party and socio-economic background. BPW/USA also monitors federal legislation that affects working women and educates its members to become involved in public policy development in their own workplaces and at the local, state, and federal government levels.

Wyndham International, Inc. ranks among the largest branded hotel companies in the United States. It owns, leases, manages and franchises primarily upscale and luxury hotels and resorts representing a combined portfolio of 317 hotels and resorts with a total of more than 74,000 rooms in 38 states as well as Canada, the Caribbean and Europe.