LOCAL MARRIOTT HOTELS HONORED FOR EXCELLENCE

Rochester, NY - The E.J. Del Monte Corporation received numerous awards by Marriott International during ceremonies in New Orleans this past March and in Indian Wells, Calif. later in 2008. The awards included the prestigious Partnership Circle Award and the Diamond General Manager Award.

For the first time in company history, an E.J. Del Monte hotel has been honored with the Partnership Circle Award. Ernest Del Monte, founder of the corporation which operates nine local Marriot-brand hotels, accepted the award along with his wife Thelma Del Monte, on behalf of Rochester Airport Marriott Hotel. The award is given to franchise organizations that embrace Marriott brand initiatives, are associate focused, invest in hotel products and provide outstanding service as measured through Marriott’s Guest Satisfaction Surveys.

Don Stubblebine, general manager at the Courtyard by Marriott in Brighton, was awarded a Diamond General Manager Award, given to general managers who achieved top performance in overall hotel leadership, team building and development, financial management, sales and services leadership, and community service. Stubblebine was one of five general managers to receive this award nationwide.

Between 14 individual Marriott hotels managed by the E.J. Del Monte, including eight outside of the Rochester area, 18 awards were received in categories ranging from excellence in food and beverage to excellence in service.

Founded in 1953, the E.J. Del Monte Corporation entered hotel construction and operation in 1974. Since that time, the E.J. Del Monte Corporation has added 17 Marriott hotels to its portfolio to include Marriott, Renaissance, Courtyard by Marriott, Residence Inn by Marriott and Fairfield Inn by Marriott brands. Ernest J. Del Monte serves as Chairman of the Board and John Del Monte is president of the E.J. Del Monte Corporation, which owns and operates 9 Marriott hotels in the Rochester area, in addition to the Spa at the Del Monte in Pittsford. With its headquarters in Rochester, NY, the E.J. Del Monte Corporation employs over 800. For more information, visit www.ejdcorp.com.