ASFONA (Association of Starwood Franchisees & Owners – North America) has announced that it has scheduled the organization's first Board of Directors meeting following the recent closing of the acquisition of Starwood Hotels and Resorts by Marriott International. The meeting will take place at the newly opened Westin Nashville on November 9th.

"We are delighted that the lengthy Marriott/Starwood regulatory approval process resulted in a satisfactory closing of the acquisition. Also, very importantly, we are equally delighted to see an impressive and professionally managed merger of the two organizations by Marriott," stated John Shingler, president of ASFONA. "Having the best 30 hotel brands in the world combined under the Marriott International umbrella and their resources will provide an outstanding array of opportunities for everyone invested in all of these hotels."

The ASFONA Board comprises hotel owners, franchisees and hotel management company executives. During the course of the meeting, Smith Travel Research (STR) will be making a presentation to the Board on the prevailing and future hotel industry business conditions in North America.

"Our ASFONA Owners Board members are eagerly looking forward to the meeting, and to discussing with Marriott International the areas we need to focus on in working together, in order to bring the benefits that this merger will deliver to everyone in the expanded company, including our many ASFONA hotel members in North America," Shingler concluded.

For more information on ASFONA, please contact John Shingler at (713) 523-1352 or visit www.asfona.com.

About ASFONA

ASFONA is an independent non-brand affiliated hotel owner/operator association, whose purpose is to independently and informally represent investors, owners and management companies in developing relationships and communicating pertinent business interests to the major international hotel companies. For more information, please visit www.asfona.com.

John Shingler
ASFONA President
713-523-1352
ASFONA