Larry Broughton Named Ernst & Young 2006 Entrepreneur of the Year for Orange County, Calif., and Arizona

Business Wire, June 26, 2006

HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. -- Ernst & Young, global leader in professional services, presented Larry Broughton, President of Huntington Beach-based Broughton Hospitality Group, Inc., with their Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year(R) 2006 award last week. EOY is recognized globally as the world's most prestigious business award for entrepreneurs. Broughton was selected among the finalists in the Emerging Entrepreneur category for the Orange County, Calif., and Arizona regions. This year's gala award presentation was held in Irvine, Calif., with more than 500 people in attendance.

Ernst & Young's Entrepreneur of the Year (EOY) award honors entrepreneurs whose ingenuity, hard work and perseverance have created and sustained successful, growing business ventures. Broughton was selected by an independent panel of judges comprised of area leaders from business, academic and civic organizations. He is recognized for founding and leading five-year-old Broughton Hospitality Group, which currently operates more than one dozen hospitality projects from Puerto Vallarta to Northern California.

About Broughton Hospitality Group

Founded by Broughton in January 2001, Huntington Beach-based Broughton Hospitality Group (www.BroughtonHospitality.com) is an innovative full-service hospitality management, consulting and development organization that is breaking the industry mold by combining a creative spirit with sound business principles. Each of BHG's dozen hospitality projects performs at the top of its competitive set, and many at the top of its respective markets. Their Georgian Hotel in Santa Monica, Calif., is the 34th best performing hotel in North America. BHG's Inn of the Spanish Garden in Santa Barbara, Calif., is recognized among the best luxury hotels in the country. And their newest property, Blue Wing Saloon & Cafe in Lake County, Calif., recently received the "Best New Business of the Year Award" in Lake County, while the restaurant's private label Sauvignon Blanc was also awarded a Gold Medal at the West Coast Wine Competition in May.

BHG has been named among the top 100 hospitality management companies in the USA by industry publications. Their mission of "Inspiring Significance and Distinction" transcends the workplace as BHG regularly honors team members for their dedication to community service through the company's Honor & Excellence Award. Broughton recently launched his own travel publication, Broughton Quarterly, featuring lodging, destinations, travel accessories, wines, restaurants, recipes and travel tips based on the markets BHG serves. BHG operates properties in Santa Monica, Orange County, Palm Desert, Puerto Vallarta, Santa Barbara, Solvang and Lake County, Calif.

About the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award

The EOY award serves to encourage entrepreneurial activity and recognize the contribution of outstanding men and women who inspire others with their vision, leadership and achievement. As the first and only truly global award of its kind, Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year celebrates those who are building and leading successful, growing and dynamic businesses, recognizing them through regional, national and global awards programs in more than 115 cities and 40 countries. The Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year award program celebrates its 20th anniversary this year and continues to recognize the leaders and visionaries who are creating and building world-class businesses.