Press Release
September 13, 2000
SECAUCUS, NJ -- Panasonic Commercial and Residential Products Group is pleased to announce that it has been named
an Endorsed Vendor for hospitality-industry televisions by Choice Hotels International (NYSE:CHH), worldwide franchisor
of Comfort, Quality, Clarion, Econo Lodge, Sleep, Rodeway Inn and MainStay Suites brand hotels.
Energy efficiency was one of the overriding factors behind Choice's selection of Panasonic as an Endorsed Vendor.
All Panasonic hospitality-industry televisions are ENERGY STAR rated, using only 3 Watts when turned off (a savings
of up to 75% over conventional models) for a substantial reduction in energy bills. In addition, through innovative
energy management circuitry, Panasonic televisions can save electricity by reverting to standby when guests fall
asleep or leave the room unoccupied. As a result, Panasonic estimates that its ENERGY STAR-rated TVs can save about
$13 per year per unit (based on a 25-inch model).
Panasonic's efforts in developing the broadest lineup of energy-efficient products in the electronics and electrical
products industries have been recognized for the second consecutive year by the United States Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) and the United States Department of Energy, which have designated Panasonic as 2000 Energy Star Partner
of the Year in the home electronics category.
According to Brad Douglas, vice president of Strategic Partnerships for Choice, "When selecting a product
or service for inclusion in our Endorsed Vendor Program, we consider many factors, including quality, affordability
and distribution. The ENERGY STAR-rated Panasonic line qualifies on all counts. We are proud to offer our franchisees
these EPA-recognized products that have set a new industry standard for reliability, energy efficiency and key
features designed with the hotel industry in mind."
David Goldstone, national sales manager for Panasonic Hospitality Products explains, "Beyond outstanding energy
efficiency, Panasonic offers Choice the substantial resources needed to serve their broad base of franchises, including
one-stop shopping for a whole range of hospitality products."
As part of the new agreement, Panasonic's products will be available to Choice franchisees via ChoiceBuys.com,
the online procurement system developed by Choice and recently named one of the most promising business-to-business
web sites by Forbes.com.
For Panasonic, the partnership with Choice is an important achievement in its long-term commitment to offering
products that are as inviting to hotel managers as they are to the guests they serve.
Choice Hotels International is the world's second largest lodging franchisor, with almost 5,000 hotels open or
under development in 37 nations. Comfort, Quality, Econo Lodge, Clarion, Sleep, Rodeway Inn, MainStay Suites and
ChoiceBuys.com are registered trademarks and service marks of Choice Hotels International, Inc.
Panasonic's Commercial & Residential Products Group markets and sells a wide variety of commercial products
to the hospitality, lighting, building, foodservice, commercial vacuum and business equipment channels. For additional
information about Panasonic, visit www.panasonic.com.
CONTACT: Choice Hotels International
Anne Papa Curtis
Tel: 301/592-5032
Fax: 301/592-6177
anne_curtis@choicehotels.com
or
PC Fiore - Panasonic
Kristin Conroy
Tel: 973/359-4444