Leading Hospitality Companies Gather in New York for Banc of America Securities' 17th Annual Conference

Event Attracts More Companies Than Any Other Investment Conference In This Category

January 25, 2000
NEW YORK, NY -- Fifty-three companies from across the nation will gather starting yesterday for Banc of America Securities' 17th Annual Hospitality Conference at the Pierre Hotel. The Conference, showcasing some of the nation's premier companies in the lodging, lodging REIT, timeshare, ski resort, cruise line, auto rental, gaming and restaurant industries, will run today through Friday (January 24-28). More than 400 institutional investors and company representatives are expected to attend.
"The hospitality sectors have always been very important to Banc of America Securities," said Tom Thornhill. "We are pleased that our annual hospitality conference continues to attract more companies than any other investment conference in this category and we believe that there are some very attractive investment opportunities in these sectors that will be identified over the course of the week."

In addition to presentations by company management, the conference will feature industry overview luncheon presentations by Banc of America Securities' equity research analysts. The company presentations at this year's conference will be broken out into the following categories: Restaurants (Monday and Tuesday presentations); Cruise Lines, Gaming, Auto Rental (Wednesday presentations); and Lodging, Lodging REITs, Timeshare, and Ski Resorts (Thursday and Friday presentations).

Some of the companies presenting during the week include: Brinker International, Inc., Papa John's International, Inc., Jack in the Box Inc., Sonic Corp., Marriott International, Inc., Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc., MeriStar Hospitality Corporation, FelCor Lodging Trust Incorporated, Carnival Corporation, Harrah's Entertainment, Inc., Park Place Entertainment, Corp., MGM Grand, Inc., and Station Casinos, Inc.

Banc of America Securities LLC (BAS), a subsidiary of Bank of America Corporation, is a full-service investment bank and brokerage firm. With principal offices in San Francisco, New York City and Charlotte, BAS employs more than 4,000 associates in offices around the country, and with affiliates, offers capabilities worldwide.

Bank of America Corporation, with $614 billion in total assets, is the holding company for one of the largest banks in the U.S., with operations in 21 states and the District of Columbia.

Contact: Jennifer A. Smith of Banc of America Securities LLC, 415-913-5968, or on-site at Pierre Hotel, 212-838-8000, or Jasmith@bofasecurities.com