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Wynfrey Hotel's catering director wins "Stars of Alabama" award

Dec 12, 2008

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (December 2008) -- Bill Dowling, the director of catering for the Wynfrey Hotel at Riverchase Galleria in Hoover, Ala., has been named Hospitality Department Manager of the Year in the 2008 Restaurant & Hospitality Stars of Alabama, a competition sponsored by the Alabama Restaurant Association and the Alabama Hospitality Association.

Dowling, described as "every event planner's dream", received an engraved award plaque on Oct. 27 during the ninth annual Stars of the Industry Dinner at the Hotel at Auburn University and Dixon Conference Center. The event drew more than 250 hospitality and restaurant executives from across the state.

"It's an exciting time to be in the hospitality industry in Alabama, and it's an honor to be recognized by my peers," said Dowling, who has worked for numerous organizations and meeting planners during his 18-year tenure with the Wynfrey Hotel.

"We are delighted to see Bill Dowling named the state's top hospitality department manager," said Rusti Price, director of sales and marketing for the 329-room luxury meetings hotel. "He was nominated by his peers and an esteemed panel of judges as the 'best of the best' for 2008. This honor is well deserved. He is not only an outstanding individual, but he has done an exceptional job leading the hotel's catering efforts."

In literature distributed to awards dinner attendees, the two organizations praised Dowling as "detail oriented and extremely creative. These two characteristics combine to make every event he plans special. He comes up with new ideas for each group, works to come up with the perfect menus, and then figures out creative ways to serve the items. Not only does Bill do all of this, but he does it with such a degree of professionalism that the event planner doesn't have to worry about a thing. He is a leader, teacher and
team player who has a positive influence on the industry."

The Wynfrey Hotel, which is conveniently framed by the 2 million-square-foot Riverchase Galleria shopping mall, is a popular destination for conventioneers, business travelers, leisure travelers, shopping enthusiasts, social groups, honeymooners and golfers. Dowling and his staff serve conventioneers in three ballrooms and 18 meeting rooms totaling more than 32,000 square feet. The hotel also features Shula's Steak House fine-dining restaurant; the more casual Chicory Grille; Ivory's, a piano-accented lounge; the Chancellor's Club, a private concierge level; and a spacious lobby complemented with Italian marble floors and fine art.

The hotel has undergone many improvements over the past few years. A $3 million renovation in 2007 included the installation of Italian marble and French chandelier lighting in all of the property's guest bathrooms. Guests also can enjoy a new upscale amenities package that includes Tarrocco brand shampoos, conditioners, lotions, bath bars and facial bars. New plush carpet has been installed in corridors on all guest room floors.

In 2003, the Wynfrey joined forces with legendary football coach Don Shula to open Shula's Steak House, a 140-seat eatery featuring a virtual museum of 1972 Miami Dolphins memorabilia, sepia-toned photos, rich wood, and hand-painted football menus. The restaurant serves only Certified Angus Beef.

Earlier this year, the hotel received the Best of South designation from Meetings South magazine, the 22nd consecutive Four Diamond Award from the American Automobile Association, and the prestigious Readers' Choice Award from the readers of Convention South magazine. Over the years, the Wynfrey also has received the highly prized Pinnacle Award from the readers of Successful Meetings magazine and the Mobil Four-Star Award.

For more information about the Wynfrey Hotel or its meeting facilities, call (205) 987-1600 or (800) WYNFREY, send an e-mail to rusti.price@wynfreyhotel.com, or mail an inquiry to 1000 Riverchase Galleria, Birmingham, AL 35244. Hotel information also is available at http://www.wynfrey.com .

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