Entertainment Franchise Industry News & Announcements

Gift Card Redemption Sales Allow Priority Club Members to Redeem Their Points to Save On Gas, Restaurants and More All Summer Long
May 24, 2012 // Franchising.com // ATLANTA – Priority Club® Rewards from IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group), the world’s largest and fastest growing hotel loyalty program, is helping our members throw caution to the wind and hit the open road with greater ease and peace of mind. Starting May 25 through May 28, gas gift cards will be available for a 25 percent discount off their normal point redemption value. As we heat up our summer sale, members can allow points to do the talking and their hard earned money do the walking…right back into their wallets.
According to AAA*, 34...

Hampton Inn & Suites Atlanta Airport Hotel (North, I-85) offers The Great Getaway package for stays booked by July 23, 2012.
ATLANTA, GA, May 23, 2012 /24-7PressRelease/ -- The Hampton Inn & Suites Atlanta Airport Hotel (North, I-85) is now offering the perfect summer package. Available at participating Hampton hotels, The Great Getaway lets guests save 15% to 40% off Best Available Rate for trips booked by July 23, 2012 for stays through September 30, 2012. Some restrictions may apply; special offers and rates are subject to availability.
Conveniently located near the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, this Atlanta Airport hotel is the perfect place for families traveling to the area this summer to stay...

May 22, 2012 // Franchising.com // Accor unveiled its carbon optimizer for professional customers with an exclusive worldwide preview at the IMEX Frankfurt trade show today. This tool will allow meeting and seminar organizers to know and cut their events’ carbon footprint. Accor is a leading player in meetings and seminars, with venues in roughly 2,000 hotels.
This Carbon Optimizer is interactive, user-friendly and combines a comprehensive set of variables, including the number of participants, the number of nights they plan to stay, how long the seminar will last, how big the meeting rooms are and the energy mix in the host country*. It also factors in food services, i.e. the type of food and whether meals are buffets or table-served...

ALEXANDRIA, Va., May 21, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Four of Cruise Holidays Luxury Cruise Counselors cruise experts returned last week from the naming ceremony and christening cruise of Oceania Cruises' newest luxury ship, Riviera. The by-invitation-only 9-night christening cruise sailed from Monte Carlo to Venice, highlighted with the official naming ceremony in Barcelona, Spain on May 11, 2012. Luxury Cruise Counselors experts were among only a select few travel agents from around the world invited to attend this coveted event. They were invited to participate because of their specific expertise in selling Oceania cruises.
Cruise ship naming ceremonies are a long-standing tradition in the travel industry, yet it is rare to receive an invitation to attend one...

Building on almost two decades of best-in-class performance in sustainable development, Accor is taking its commitment to sustainability to a higher level with the announcement of PLANET 21.
India (PRWEB) May 21, 2012 - Accor is today taking sustainable development to new heights, with the launch of PLANET 21, a comprehensive program covering all of the Group’s environmental, social and community investment actions and placing sustainability at the core of its business strategy worldwide. With PLANET 21, Accor is making 21 commitments and the same number of quantified goals for the year 2015, including: employees trained in disease preventionin 95% of hotels, 80% of properties promoting balanced dishes;85%of hotels using eco-labelled products;a 15% reduction in water consumption; and 10% decrease in energy use at Accor’s owned and leased hotels worldwide...

Super 8 Monroe North Carolina Hotel offers nearby lodging to parents and guests attending Wingate University's 2012 spring Commencement Ceremony.
ATLANTA, GA, May 12, 2012 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Super 8 Monroe NC Hotel offers convenient lodging to parents and guests attending Wingate University's spring 2012 Commencement Ceremony. The event will be held at 9:00am on Saturday, May 12 in the Academic Quadrangle. This year's keynote speaker is Robert Inman, novelist, writer, and former WBTV news anchor.
"Conveniently located within minutes from the school, our hotel near Wingate University is pleased to welcome guests visiting the area for graduation weekend," explains Himanshu Patel, the property's General Manager. "A great lodging choice among other Monroe North Carolina hotels, travelers are sure to enjoy their stay at the Super 8," says Patel...

May 11, 2012 // Franchising.com // ATLANTA – With the summer vacation season fast approaching, one of the world’s largest hotel companies IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) today announces its latest promotion for Priority Club® Rewards members. Beginning June 1, the industry’s first, largest and fastest-growing guest loyalty program Priority Club Rewards will give its members the opportunity to earn 1,000 bonus points for every qualifying night through Sept. 3, 2012, up to 20,000 bonus points—enough points for a one-night stay at a Candlewood Suites or Staybridge Suites hotel, two nights at some Holiday Inn or Holiday Inn Express hotels, or many of Priority Club Rewards’ non-hotel reward options.
Additionally, Priority Club Rewards will offer exclusive bonus rewards to its members who are fans of the program’s new Facebook page and to those who book directly on any of IHG’s web sites such as priorityclub...

Leading Motorcycle Rental Company Holds Three Contests for Prizes, Summer Party & Tour
LOS ANGELES, May 10, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- EagleRider, the world's largest motorcycle rental and tour company, is celebrating "twenty years of living the American Dream on the prestigious Harley-Davidson motorcycle" with three social media contests. Contest participants have the opportunity to win an invitation to EagleRider's 20th Anniversary private celebrity Los Angeles party Saturday, July 21 as well as a one week self-guided California Coast motorcycle tour. All contests began March 20, 2012 and winners will be announced at the beginning of July.
"We pioneered global motorcycle tourism in 1992 with a dream, all the money in our pockets and four Harley-Davidson motorcycles in a Los Angeles garage," said Chris McIntyre, EagleRider co-founder and president...

Hilton Garden Inn - Atlanta Airport Hotel (North) announces a limited time only offer for travelers to enjoy. Guests who book their stay at this property by June 30, 2012 can earn double points or double miles.
ATLANTA, GA, May 10, 2012 /24-7PressRelease/ -- The Hilton Garden Inn Atlanta Airport Hotel (North) recently announced a special deal for their guests to enjoy. From now through June 30, 2012 they are offering the Double Your HHonors and Go Further, Faster Package. Travelers can earn Double Points or Double Miles when they book and stay at any of our property or any other participating hotel or resort. To receive the offer Hilton HHonors members must first register at http://www.HHonors.com/DoubleYourHHonors prior to completing any eligible stay within the Promotion Period...

DOVER, N.H., May 9, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Racing Limos America, Inc., a subsidiary of Atlas Technology Group (OTC:ATYG), is estimating revenue gains for its franchisees for an 8th consecutive quarter.
Although firm numbers are not yet complete, Racing Limos America is reporting Q1 2012 gains for its franchisees. The estimates show increases from the previous quarter as well as from the same quarter last year.
"Almost all franchisees have reported their numbers," says Racing Limos America President and Atlas CEO James Albion. "We are confident that when all franchisee numbers are confirmed, we'll be able to report yet another quarter of growth. This further illustrates that our new business model is in full throttle forward, and is a testament to the diligence and commitment of our franchisees to the business...

DOVER, N.H., May 8, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Although its financials will not be posted until May 15, Racing Limos America, Inc., a subsidiary of Atlas Technology Group (OTC: ATYG), is expected to report a 50% increase in its Q1 2012 revenues over its previous quarter.
"We will be able to confirm these numbers in a few days," says Atlas CEO James Albion. "I am confident the estimates will prove we have yet again shown a revenues increase."
Albion is confident this is the start of a break out year for Atlas and Racing Limos America. "We are getting a fairly steady stream of emails for franchise inquiries," says Albion. "Both from the U.S. and from Canada. Our most popular inquiries in the past 30 days have been for information on Los Angeles CA, Dallas TX, and Birmingham AL...

"Vacation Pay" Promotion Offers Up to $300 Cash Back for Weekend Stays This Summer
ATLANTA, May 7, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Back by popular demand, IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) is offering guests cash rewards through their "Vacation Pay" promotion, arming travelers with extra spending money to use following their vacation and beyond. U.S. residents planning their fun in the sun between May 14, 2012 and Sept. 3, 2012, will receive a $75 prepaid card when they stay two consecutive weekend (Friday, Saturday or Sunday) nights at any of IHG's 4,400 hotels worldwide, including InterContinental® Hotels & Resorts, Crowne Plaza® Hotels & Resorts, Hotel Indigo®, Holiday Inn®, Holiday Inn® Resort, Holiday Inn® Club Vacations, Holiday Inn® Express, Staybridge Suites® and Candlewood Suites®...

PARSIPPANY, NJ--(Marketwire - May 7, 2012) - In celebration of its beloved mascot's 58th birthday, the Travelodge® hotel brand is launching "Sleepy's Birthday Bonanza Sweepstakes," giving fans of the bear across the U.S. a chance to win their share of 100 free night stays at Travelodge hotels.
Now through May 30, 2012, Wyndham Rewards® members who visit and like the Travelodge Facebook page (www.facebook.com/travelodge) can enter daily for their chance to win either a weekly prize of two free night stays at any Travelodge hotel in the U.S. or a grand prize of 20 free night stays.
"Sleepy Bear may very well be one of the most loved hotel mascots in North America but despite his age, he's just as young and fun as ever," said Rui Barros, Travelodge brand senior vice president...

InterContinental Hotels & Resorts has been awarded a Gifted ranking in the second annual L2 Digital IQ Index®: Hotels.
May 07, 2012 // Franchising.com // Developed by L2, a think tank for digital innovation, and NYU Stern Professor Scott Galloway, the Digital IQ Index is a robust tool that scores brands on over 350 quantitative and qualitative data points across four dimensions: website, digital marketing, social media and mobile.
InterContinental Hotels & Resorts was one of only 11 hotel brands to achieve the Gifted ranking and ranked sixth out of the 52 hotel brands in the Index.
Brands that were awarded the Gifted ranking experimented across platforms with tactics including concierge mobile applications, on-site user reviews, shareable destination guides and programming on Instagram, Pinterest and other emerging platforms...

May 03, 2012 // Franchising.com // ATLANTA and COLORADO SPRINGS – IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group), one of the world's largest hotel companies, and USA Cycling, cycling’s national governing body, today announced they have entered into a multi-year agreement that names IHG the exclusive hotel partner of USA Cycling.
"We are really looking forward to this new relationship with USA Cycling and the USA Cycling Team," said Del Ross, vice president, Americas Sales & Marketing, IHG. "This partnership provides a terrific opportunity for IHG to showcase team travel accommodations for USA Cycling’s more than 70,000 licensees and hundreds of athletes that race around the world."
As a part of its sponsorship, IHG will create a special portal for USA Cycling members to book rooms at exclusive rates at any participating IHG hotel including InterContinental® Hotels & Resorts, Hotel Indigo®, Crowne Plaza® Hotels & Resorts, Holiday Inn® Hotels and Resorts, Holiday Inn® Club Vacations, Holiday Inn Express®, Staybridge Suites® and Candlewood Suites®...

PARSIPPANY, NJ--(Marketwire - May 3, 2012) - The Super 8® hotel brand has launched its "Country Prize You Can't Buy Sweepstakes," giving country music fans throughout the U.S. the chance to win a VIP prize pack complete with travel accommodations, Jake Owen concert tickets and a private backstage tour.
Launched through a sponsorship with Premiere Networks, fans can enter by visiting the website of one of three hit Premiere radio shows, including After MidNite with Blair Garner (www.aftermidnite.com), The Big D and Bubba Show (www.bigdandbubba.com) and The Crook and Chase Countdown (www.crookandchase.com). Once on the site, fans must click on the Super 8 sweepstakes link and complete and submit a short online form. Entries must be received by May 13, 2012 and are limited to one per person...

DOVER, N.H., May 3, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Racing Limos America, Inc., a subsidiary of Atlas Technology Group (OTC: ATYG), announces it has commenced application for opening franchise locations in Canada.
Racing Limos America has announced it has started filing an application to open locations in Canada.
"We've started the application process," says Atlas President Tyler Libby. "We've done no marketing in Canada to date, but we've been receiving inquiries for franchise information from Montreal, Vancouver, and several other cities over the last few months. Our original plan was to start the application process in 2013, but we can't ignore the consistent inquiries we've been receiving."
CEO James Albion says the process is under way to incorporate "Racing Limos Canada" and has been in touch with a franchise law firm in Montreal to assist with the application process...

PARSIPPANY, NJ--(Marketwire - May 1, 2012) - To celebrate its hometown hospitality philosophy, the Baymont Inn & Suites® hotel brand today announced the launch of "Noteworthy Neighbors," a Facebook-based contest and sweepstakes designed to recognize the notable deeds of people who are a positive influence in their community.
Baymont Inn & Suites fans can nominate worthy members of their communities on the brand's Facebook page at www.facebook.com/baymontinns by demonstrating, in 100 words or less, the positive impact nominees have made in their hometowns. Three entrants and their nominees will be chosen by a panel of judges to receive $1,000 each. In addition, every week for eight weeks, an eligible entrant will be selected randomly to win 50,000 Wyndham Rewards® points, which can be redeemed for free nights, flights and gift cards...

April 30, 2012 // Franchising.com // IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group), the world’s largest hotel group by number of rooms, and Muscat Golf Course Project LLC today announce the signing of a 20-year management agreement for the luxury InterContinental Muscat Hills Golf Resort in Oman.
Signed during the 2012 Arabian Hotel Investment Conference taking place in Dubai, the hotel will form part of the Muscat Hills Golf and Country Club – a 1.2 million square metre development set in a unique hillside location with spectacular panoramic mountain and sea views over the Gulf of Oman. Muscat Hills is a mixed use development with upscale residential villas and apartments, an 18-hole championship golf course, country club and hotel...

April 25, 2012 // Franchising.com // InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), one of the world’s largest hotel companies, has worked with some of the most influential hospitality experts and travel commentators to identify the key global trends that will have potential impact in 2012 and beyond.
What to expect?
With over 153 million room nights being booked by guests each year, IHG has used its scale to examine insights into how travel and lifestyle habits are changing, in order to be able to design for the future needs of its guests. The contributors to this trends summary were all asked what they thought were the main drivers of change that would influence 2012 in terms of travel and these insights have been reflected in five macro trend areas...