Press Releases

WATERFORD GROUP ACCEPTS TEAM CONNECTICUT ’05 EDDY AWARDS ON BEHALF OF THREE HARTFORD DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS

2005 Development Award: CT Convention Center / Marriott Hartford Downtown
2005 Project Award: Hilton Hartford

For Immediate Release
December 22, 2005

WATERFORD, CT (December 22, 2005) --- At the recent 11th Annual Team Connecticut Rally, Governor M. Jody Rell and state economic development leaders recognized the Connecticut Convention Center, Marriott Hartford Downtown and Hilton Hartford as outstanding economic development efforts in Connecticut for 2005. Team Connecticut Rally, co-hosted by CEDAS (CT Economic Development Association) and CERC (CT Economic Resource Center), recognizes projects that help advance economic development in the state of Connecticut.

Terry Bickhardt, president and chief operating officer for Waterford Hotel Group, Inc. was on hand to accept both awards. “As a member of the state’s growing tourism sector, it is a great honor to be recognized by members of the economic development community,” said Bickhardt. "We are committed to the success of Connecticut's hospitality industry as a new economic driver."

This year’s Team Connecticut Development Award was presented to the Connecticut Convention Center and the Marriott Hartford Downtown. The award recognizes a major real estate development completed during the last year that includes characteristics such as land assembly, major investments from the state and private sectors, multi-year phases, successful partnerships and a significant, positive impact statewide or nationally.

The Hilton Hartford was the proud recipient of the Team Connecticut Project Award. The Project Award recognizes a recruitment, retention, or expansion project completed during the last year that has had a significant, positive impact on the local and regional economy. Judging criteria includes number of jobs created/retained, amount of investment, team efforts, and other relevant characteristics.

“These major undertakings could not have been achieved without the dedication, commitment and support of many ...including federal, state, city, and local agencies. We'd like to dedicate these awards to everyone involved in the projects, all those participating in the more than $2 billion revitalization of this great city, and to all the associates of these beautiful facilities that will serve the visitors of Hartford for years to come,” added Bickhardt.

About the Connecticut Convention Center
When the Connecticut Convention Center opened June 2, 2005, it created a new sense of energy and momentum in downtown Hartford. Together with the brand new, 409 room Marriott Hartford Downtown, the attached properties serve as the largest full-service meeting place between New York and Boston. Waterford Group served as master developer of the more than $350 Million development. The Convention Center is owned by CCEDA (Capital City Economic Development Authority) and managed for the state by Waterford Venue Services.

About the Hilton Hartford
After a $33 million renovation, the new Hilton Hartford reopened its doors to the public on March 1, 2005. Beautifully transformed into a modern, upscale hotel, the Hilton is seen as another vital step in the more than $2 billion revitalization of Hartford. The 392-room hotel provides visitors with top level services, the perfect combination of elegance and convenience, and an ideal downtown location for both business and leisure travelers. The hotel is professionally managed by Waterford Hotel Group, Inc.

Contact:
Lisa Beers
Waterford Group, LLC
860.442.4559
lbeers@waterfordgroup.net

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