| January, 2008 |
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The I Hotel and Conference Center
Monthly "I News"
Newsletter
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Welcome to the First Edition of "I
News", providing updates on the I Hotel and Conference Center opening in August, 2008!
The "I
News" will be sent monthly, updating future guests and friends on the
construction progress and events leading up to the August, 2008 opening. Please forward this newsletter to your
colleagues or reply to this email with those you would like to add to our
mailing list. To reserve a guest room or to book an event at the I Hotel and Conference Center, visit www.StayAtTheI.com or call
217-819-5000.
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Indulge Your Senses
Indulge
your senses at the state-of-the-art I Hotel and Conference Center
Opening August, 2008! A joint development between the University
of Illinois and Fox-Atkins Development
LLC, this new facility is located at the corner of First Street and St. Mary's Road,
directly south of the Assembly Hall in The Research Park at the University of Illinois.
Constructed and operated to AAA Four Diamond standards, the I
Hotel and Conference
Center features a 126
room hotel with two suites and a 38,000 square foot conference center with
ballrooms, small to large meeting rooms, and a board room. In addition to
catering for small meetings to large banquets, other dining options
include Houlihan's Restaurant with seating for 220 and an outdoor patio, and
the I Café proudly serving Starbucks Coffee.
The entire facility has a
contemporary design that invites you to settle in and enjoy the upscale
amenities. Guest rooms include, iPod docking
stations, pillow top mattresses with luxurious bedding, 42"
flat screen HD televisions, in-room refrigerators, in-room safes, and
commissioned art from local artists throughout the hotel. Services include
a 24-hour business center and complimentary luxury car service to the College of Engineering
campus, the Illini Union and other University
of Illinois destinations.
Group rates and extended stay rates are available upon request.
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Website Goes Live
The I
Hotel and Conference
Center's new website, www.StayAtTheI.com went live on December
31, 2007. Designed by Roundtable Media,
Inc., the website conveys the contemporary and inviting look and feel of the I
Hotel and Conference
Center. You can check room availability and book a guest room on-line with your credit card. Soon you will also be able to schedule an event online. In the meantime, call us at 217-819-5000 to learn more about the conference center and to book your next meeting or event. Be sure to watch the website as we continue to add new information and update the photos!
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Construction is Well Underway
 If
you haven't driven by the site in a few weeks, you will be amazed at the
construction progress. Both the hotel and the conference center are under
roof, brick is going up on the exterior and interior work has begun. The
conference center brick has been installed on the south and east sides and the hotel
brick on the west side is up to the third floor. Electrical has been run throughout the facility and interior framing of the
hotel rooms is complete. The construction team is working diligently and is
right on track for the August 15, 2008 opening.
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Tour the Model Hotel Guest Room
Experience
a guest room at the "I" first hand prior to opening! A completely furnished model hotel guest room
has been constructed in The Research Park at the University of Illinois. Open since Fall 2007, the room has
continuously evolved as feedback from those touring the room has been
incorporated to enhance the "I" guest experience. Try out the desk, prop your
feet up on the ottoman, sit on the pillow-top mattress, and test the RUSK bath
amenities. Then fill out a comment card
so we know what you like or what suggestions you have and we will implement!
To schedule a tour (bring along your
colleagues!),
call 217-819-5000
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Houlihan's Restaurant Opening 
Houlihan's Restaurant will open
alongside the I Hotel and Conference Center in August, 2008. Houlihan's offers
an eclectic eatery and energetic bar scene. It brings a new standard to casual
dining.
Houlihan's has over 50 locations
nationwide. Its passion for music and entertainment create an inviting
atmosphere for all customers. While Houlihan's offers on-trend drinks and a
contemporary-classic menu, it is still an affordable restaurant for easy
entertaining.
Those familiar with Houlihan's in
other markets will find that Houlihan's has revamped its look and feel. The new
marketing push positions it as slightly more upscale and adult than the
competition. Houlihan's will offer an eclectic
selection of dishes infused with bold and interesting flavors, such as white
fish tacos, Thai chile Buffalo wings, a calamari salad tossed with Napa cabbage,
cashews and a house banana-ginger vinaigrette, as well as a series of fresh-made
mini desserts priced at $1.99.
The 220-seat, full-service
restaurant will target broad community patronage as well as hotel guests and
conference attendees, with menu and prices reflective of the local market. The
restaurant design will emulate the AAA Four Diamond quality represented in the I
Hotel and Conference Center.
Whether
it's experiencing "the nooner" lunch
guarantee of service in 15 minutes or it's free, or hanging out by the outdoor patio's fire
pit before a game, Houlihan's is sure
to be a local hot spot.
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Meet the Management Team
Jeffery L. Edwards, CHA
After
an extensive search, Jeff Edwards was named General Manager of the I Hotel
and Conference Center.
Jeff has over 25 years of hospitality industry experience with Radisson,
Renaissance, Hilton and Holiday Inn. He
has worked in all areas of management and holds the following
certifications: Certified Hospitality
Administrator, Certified Hospitality Sales Professional, Certified Rooms
Division Executive, and Certified T.I.P.'s Trainer. In 2007, he completed the
General Manager's Academy program at Purdue
University. Jeff is currently chair of the Champaign
County Convention and Visitor's Bureau and chair of the Champaign County
Alliance finance committee. In addition
to calling Jeff at the I Hotel and Conference
Center main office at
217-819-5000, you can reach Jeff on his cell phone at 217-722-4800 or at jedwards@StayAtTheI.com.
Angela M. Ford, CHSP
Angela Ford joined the I Hotel and Conference Center
staff as Director of Sales. A graduate
of Radford University, she has worked in
hospitality sales and service for over 14 years. In 2007, Angela earned the designation of
Certified Hospitality Sales Professional through the Hotel and Lodging
Association. With a strong background in
food and beverage, Angela currently serves as President of the Illinois Chapter
of the National Association of Catering Executives (N.A.C.E.). Angela also serves on the Carle Foundation
Hospital Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Department's parent advisory committee
and is an active member of the Illinois Hemophilia Foundation. To book a room or for information on I Hotel
and Conference Center, Angela can be contacted at the main office at
217-819-5000, on her cell phone at 217-840-0223, or at aford@StayAtTheI.com.
Anna C. Dunham
Anna Dunham was hired by the University of Illinois
at Urbana-Champaign as the Conference Center Marketing Director. An integral member of the I Hotel and Conference Center staff, Anna has both University
and conference center sales experience. Anna's University experience includes
serving as Development Coordinator in Advancement, for St.
Louis College in St. Louis, MO
and as Assistant Director of Alumni for SIU Edwardsville. Prior to this, Anna was Senior Event
Coordinator for the Gateway Convention Center in Collinsville, IL
where she planned over 500 events including weddings, trade shows and
conferences. To book a conference center
meeting or event, call Anna at the I Hotel and Conference Center
at 217-819-500, contact her on her cell phone at 217-722-9927 or email her at adunham@StayAtTheI.com.
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Whether you are visiting the
campus, enjoying the community's amenities, or hosting an event, the I Hotel and Conference Center
welcomes you! |
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