Interstate Hotels Providing Online Hospitality Training

Orlando, Florida (USA) – 16 February 2012 — Interstate Hotels & Resorts, the largest U.S.-based global hotel management company, is starting the new year by providing online access to hospitality training and education through the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute’s (EI) CourseLine learning system. CourseLine was rolled out to more than 150 properties on January 1.

CourseLine® provides EI’s hospitality management textbooks in digital format. Course material is organized into core competencies for each topic area developed by subject matter experts. A combination of key terms, web links, case studies, exhibits, interactive activities, and quizzes help reinforce the material covered in each competency. Review quizzes and final exams are taken online with immediate feedback. The online learning platform also includes front-line skills training programs for front desk representatives, guestroom attendants, restaurant servers, and maintenance employees; as well as an interactive version of EI’s popular Supervisory Skill Builders series. CyberCinema®, which is also part of the Interstate learning package, enables employees to view EI’s training videos online, many of which come with quizzes to gauge viewer comprehension.

“As a leading hospitality employer, we believe in investing in the development of our 26,000 associates at all levels,” said Jim Abrahamson, Interstate Hotels & Resorts’ chief executive officer. “CourseLine delivers that training when and where our associates need it.”

The company will also be encouraging its general managers to pursue the Certified Hotel Administrator (CHA) designation. The CHA is the most prestigious certification available for hotel general managers and executives.

About the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute
Established in 1953 as a nonprofit educational foundation of the American Hotel & Lodging Association, the Educational Institute’s mission is to continue being the preferred provider to the lodging industry, hospitality schools, and related hospitality industries by developing and providing quality resources to train, educate, and certify hospitality professionals worldwide.

About Interstate Hotels & Resorts
Interstate Hotels & Resorts, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of a 50/50 joint venture between subsidiaries of Thayer Lodging and Jin Jiang, is the leading U.S.-based global hotel management company, operating franchised branded full- and select-service hotels and resorts, conference centers and independent hotels worldwide. The company and its affiliates manage and/or have ownership interests in nearly 400 hotels with more than 70,000 rooms in 40 states, the District of Columbia, China, Russia, India, Mexico, Belgium, Canada, Ireland and the Netherlands. The company has ownership in 58 of those hotels, including six wholly owned hotels. Interstate Hotels & Resorts also has executed agreements for 25 hotels with nearly 5,000 rooms under construction or development throughout the world.

Media Contact:
American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (EI)
Elizabeth Johnson
Senior Public Relations & Marketing Manager
517-318-2359
ejohnson@ahla.com
www.ahlei.org