Company Press Release: WestCoast Hospitality Corporation
July 11, 2000
SPOKANE, WA -- WestCoast Hospitality Corporation (NYSE: WEH) yesterday reported that the previously announced re-branding
process for Cavanaughs Hotels will be completed during the first half of July. Upon completion, the WestCoast brand
will cover nine western states, providing more locations for business and leisure travelers to stay. The WestCoast
brand is well known throughout the West for their distinct high quality properties and exemplary service.
``This transition brings us closer to completing the integration of the Cavanaughs and WestCoast brands and enables
us to begin marketing ourselves as truly one hotel company that is focused on providing our customers with convenient
locations and great service in each of our expanding markets,'' said Donald K. Barbieri, Chairman, President and
CEO, WestCoast Hospitality Corporation.
The re-branding of a chain of hotels is a large effort that involves changing names and logos on thousands of hotel
products. ``This process has required coordination amongst a large group of people and companies,'' explained David
Bell, Executive Vice President for Development, WestCoast Hospitality Corporation. ``Completion of the project
on the intended timeline and within budget is very satisfying. I believe the finished product will help our hotels
further solidify themselves in their respective markets as being high quality, upscale hotels with service and
amenities that add to the comfort of the guest.''
In January 2000, Cavanaughs Hospitality Corporation completed the acquisition of WestCoast Hotels, Inc., and subsequently
renamed the corporation to assume the WestCoast name. The Company believes the combined strengths and talents of
the two companies will enable the brand to increase market share by providing its customer base with enhanced services
in the form of a frequent stay program, which will be launched in late summer, more information and functionality
through a combined website, and the opportunity to plan travel to multiple destinations.
WestCoast Hospitality Corporation serves the western United States with 46 hotels containing 8,766 hotel rooms,
in 9 states. WestCoast provides entertainment services through TicketsWest.com(TM), which encompasses computerized
ticketing operations in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana and Colorado, and aggregates content for travel and
entertainment that is sold in real-time at its www.TicketsWest.com website. TicketsWest.com(TM) also includes WestCoast
Entertainment, formerly Cavanaughs Entertainment, a Broadway and special event presenting company. G&B Real
Estate Services is the real estate division of WestCoast Hospitality Corporation and owns 590,000 square feet of
commercial real estate and manages 3.4 million square feet of Company and third party owned commercial real estate,
and 2,000 units of third party owned apartment and condominium properties.
CONTACT: Stephen Barbieri, VP, Chief Communications Officer of WestCoast Hospitality Corporation, 509-323-7211,
InvestorRelations@WestCoastHotels.com.
SOURCE: WestCoast Hospitality Corporation