WASHINGTON, The American Hotel & Lodging Foundation (AH&LF) has announced a gift of $250,000 from PepsiCo to the New Century Fund Campaign. The New Century Fund Campaign is an effort to unite the hospitality industry and its suppliers to address evolving needs. The gift from PepsiCo will go toward a scholarship fund for graduates of Marriott Hospitality High School who are interested in a career in hospitality management. The goal of the gift is to introduce more minority students to careers in hotel and restaurant management.

" Being in the business of refreshment food and beverages, we are aware of the career opportunities in hospitality," stated Jacqueline R. Millan, director, corporate contributions for PepsiCo. "Our contribution to the New Century Fund Campaign will allow more young people to learn about these opportunities."

Added Douglas Viehland, president of American Hotel & Lodging Foundation, "The gift from PepsiCo expands the scope of our scholarship support to high schools while affirming our rich history of supporting diversity initiatives. We are grateful for this magnificent support of the New Century Fund Campaign."

AH&LF is a not-for-profit affiliate of the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA). Over the last 48 years, it has provided funding for industry research and technology initiatives, granted scholarships to hospitality management students, and assisted in enhancing public awareness of the lodging industry.

With revenues of about $26 billion, PepsiCo ranks as the world's fifth largest food and beverage company. It includes: Frito-Lay Company, the world's largest manufacturer and distributor of snacks; Pepsi-Cola Company, the second largest soft drink business; Tropicana Products, the largest marketer and producer of branded juices, the Quaker Oats Company and Gatorade, the world's leading sports drink, which merged with PepsiCo in August 2001.