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Americas Best Value Inn and Lexington Collection Members, Vantage Hospitality Corporate Team Members Earn Top Industry Certifications

(Coral Springs, Fla., Jan. 26, 2009) - Members from Americas Best Value Inn, Lexington Collection and Vantage Hospitality Group's corporate team recently earned certifications from two top hospitality trade organizations - the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA) and Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI).

Father and son Jee Sung Oh and Jason Oh (ABVI Terrell, Texas), Larry Sauger (ABVI Norfolk, Va.), and Vijay Patel (Lexington Hotels, Placerville, Calif.) earned their AH&LA Certified Lodging Manager (CLM) designation at Vantage Hospitality's International Educational Conference and Trade Show in December. The CLM recognizes expertise in human resources, property and revenue management, and sales and marketing, and is known worldwide as one of the industry's highest acknowledgements of professionalism for managers. Within the first year that Vantage has offered CLM training, 25 percent of its members have already achieved this status en route to the company goal of 100 percent accreditation.

In addition, more than 90 percent of Vantage's team that interacts with members on a daily basis has earned the CLM and/or Certified Hotel Administrator (CHA) designation from AH&LA. (The remaining staff is new to the company and currently on track to gaining the certification.) These designations provide an increased understanding of the hotel business so that Americas Best Value Inn and Lexington Collection members are given effective assistance that boosts their R.O.I.

Justin Weinberg, Vantage Hospitality's Human Resources Manager, recently earned AH&LA's Certified Human Resources Executive designation. The honor is awarded to professionals whose leadership and managerial abilities are exemplary and who have achieved a proven high level of expertise in their field.

Laura Crawford, Director of Membership Support Services for Vantage's upscale Lexington Collection brand, recently received the Certified Revenue Management Executive (CRME) designation from HSMAI, a global organization of sales and marketing hospitality professionals. CRME qualifications include a high level of industry experience, education, and responsibility for revenue streams for a minimum of 10 properties.

Weinberg and Crawford work at Vantage's headquarters in Coral Springs, Fla.

"Education is one of our core values at Vantage. Offering the opportunity to earn the CLM is one more way we support our members by educating, not mandating. Through education, we provide our members the means to improve their property revenue and overall operations. I'm proud of our members and corporate team for taking the time to attain these prestigious certifications, and, as a result, make our brand stronger," said Roger Bloss, CHA, Founder, President, and CEO of Vantage Hospitality Group, Inc.

For more information about Vantage Hospitality and its hotel brands, please visit www.AmericasBestValueInn.com and www.LexingtonCollection.com or call 888-316-2378.

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