At a topping-off ceremony today, John Q. Hammons representatives and Flintco Constructive Solutions joined officials from the city of Norman to watch as an evergreen tree was placed on top of the construction site to celebrate the completion of the highest structural point of Mr. John Q. Hammons’ new 10-story, 283-suite Embassy Suitesâ Norman-Hotel & Convention Center. The hotel will be owned by Mr. John Q. Hammons and managed by Springfield, Mo.-based John Q. Hammons Hotels & Resorts, the nation’s leading independent builder, developer, owner and manager of upscale, full-service hotels, resorts and suites (www.jqhhotels.com). The adjacent convention center will be owned by the city of Norman and managed by John Q. Hammons Hotels & Resorts.

The general manager and senior sales manager for the Embassy Suites Norman-Hotel & Convention Center also were introduced at the event:

     Jim Rickards was announced as general manager of the new hotel. Rickards arrives from the Courtyard by Marriott in Downtown Oklahoma City, another John Q. Hammons’ property, and served as general manager since 2004. He has more than 15 years of experience in the hospitality industry and is currently serving his third year as board member on the Oklahoma Hotel & Lodging Association.

     Sara Furr was introduced as the senior sales manager. She will be responsible for driving sales to the hotel and convention center, as well as coordinating all group business. Furr’s experience in the Oklahoma City hospitality industry, most recently with Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc., makes her a valuable resource to the Embassy Suites Norman-Hotel & Convention Center.

“ We are pleased to introduce ourselves as the face of the Embassy Suites Norman-Hotel & Convention Center,” said Jim Rickards, general manager of the hotel. “We look forward to providing our guests with the exceptional service for which John Q. Hammons’ properties are known.”

Currently under development at I-35, two miles from the University of Oklahoma, the property will be the first Embassy Suites in the city of Norman. The hotel and convention center’s new sales office is now open on location at 2501 Conference Drive and is accepting reservations in advance of the hotel’s anticipated fall 2008 opening.

 “This topping-off ceremony isn’t just marking a milestone for the Embassy Suites Norman-Hotel & Convention Center. This ceremony is symbolic of the wonderful things happening in Norman and of our commitment to helping the community and the state of Oklahoma continue to thrive,” said Mr. Hammons, founder, chairman and chief executive officer of John Q. Hammons Hotels & Resorts.

Attendees at the topping-off ceremony included representatives from John Q. Hammons Hotels & Resorts and from Flintco Constructive Solutions, including contractor Mark Grimes. Mayor Cindy Rosenthal, City Manager Steve Lewis and the executive director of the Economic Development Coalition, Don Wood represented the city of Norman.

“The new Embassy Suites project has taken shape at a rapid pace, signaling the new corporate citizen’s commitment to our community,” said Cindy Simon Rosenthal, mayor of Norman. “We welcome this new addition to our community and hope for great things.”

With more than 45,000 net square feet of total meeting and exhibit space, the $50 million property is part of the University North Park mixed-use major development project located east of I-35 between Robinson and Tecumseh Road. With a major retail complex, lifestyle center, park, office complexes, multi-family housing projects and businesses targeted for economic development by the city of Norman, the 585-acre University North Park development will be the fourth-largest open-air shopping mall in the United States.

John Q. Hammons Hotels & Resorts currently operates more than 74 hotel and resort properties across the United States, including three in Oklahoma City and on in Tulsa.

Making a Reservation

To make a hotel reservation or to book a group function prior to the opening of the Embassy Suites-Norman Hotel & Convention Center, contact (405) 364-8040, fax (405) 364-3377 or e-mail okces@jqh.com.

Area Information

Norman is the third largest city in Oklahoma with a population of 93,759. Located 17 miles south of the state capital, Oklahoma City, area attractions include: the University of Oklahoma, the Sam Noble Museum of Natural History on the University of Oklahoma campus, the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art on the University of Oklahoma campus, local casinos, Lake Thunderbird State Park and Little River Zoo.

Hotel Information

To be built with the signature atrium style of John q. Hammons Hotels & Resorts, the Embassy Suites Norman-Hotel & Convention Center will boast an architectural style that complements the design of the adjoining convention center. The hotel’s décor will emit a contemporary flair that invites guests to enjoy the exceptional appointments and outstanding customer service that defines the John Q. Hammons Hotels & Resorts and the Embassy Suites Hotels brands.