ATLANTA, May 4 /Atlanta-based Jameson Hospitality, LLC JAMS announced today the opening of Jameson University, the company's first-ever formal training facility located at the home office in Atlanta. Spearheaded by Director of Training and Development, Reggie Piercy, the university will offer three curriculums and ongoing training via video conferencing to all of its inns throughout the Southeast.

"A training and development strategy is vital to the growth of our company as we prepare to open our 100th hotel in 1999," stated Piercy. " Investing in the skills and talents of our people will be a necessary and critical competitive advantage as we enter new marketplaces and compete with larger hotel companies. We believe that this new and aggressive approach to the development of our people will complement the existing operational excellence we have and strengthen the vision of creating a 'Perfect Stay Every Time' for every guest at a Jameson Inn."

New managers will be required to complete the four-week university curriculum comprised of a two-week leadership and management course taught at the university, and two weeks of field training at the Jameson Inn in Carrollton, Georgia. Each manager must be certified and tested in order to graduate.

Jameson University is equipped with video conferencing equipment capable of delivering educational and/or meeting information to all five regions of the company. It will also house a mock king sleeping room, a mock front desk, and a simulated continental breakfast bar.

"By having video conferencing capabilities, we will be able to deliver training to the field in a timely manner making Jameson more competitive in the marketplace. We will also use the video conferencing for company meetings and, as we grow, we will be adding additional video sites," continued Piercy.

Piercy began with Jameson in October 1998. He has 14 years of hotel experience including 10 years with Marriott working at properties ranging in size from 66 rooms to 1,500 rooms. He previously held the position as Director of Training and Development at the downtown San Francisco Marriott convention hotel.

Jameson Hospitality, LLC develops and operates colonial-style, limited service hotel properties in the southeast. The company currently operates 85 Inns with over 4,000 rooms in Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. The company currently has 17 new Inns under development.

Beth Fletcher
770-901-9020
Jameson Inns