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National Park Service Selects New Operator for Everglades National Park

New contract will expand and improve visitor services including a new restaurant and lodging at Flamingo

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: JUNE 2, 2017 
General Park Information:  305-242-7700
Media Queries: Denese Canedo, Denese_Canedo@nps.gov, 786-481-7592

HOMESTEAD, Fla – Get ready for new ways to experience Everglades National Park! On May 30, 2017, the National Park Service selected Everglades Guest Services, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Guest Services, Inc. (Guest Services), to provide visitor services in the park’s Flamingo district. The contract requires construction of 24 cottages and 20 eco-tents by December 2019, but authorizes a total of 40 cottages and 40 eco-tents. Apart from campsites, this will be the first expanded overnight accommodations in the park since 2005, when the previous lodging complex was removed due to severe damage from Hurricanes Katrina and Wilma.

Under the new agreement, Guest Services will manage all visitor services in Long Pine Key and Flamingo, including campgrounds, boat tours of Florida Bay and Whitewater Bay, a new restaurant co-located with the cottages, and retail. The new accommodations will be environmentally friendly, affording a sustainable visitor experience. The 20 year term of the contract will enable the new operator to invest in needed visitor services and make customer service a priority.

Superintendent of Everglades and Dry Tortugas National Parks, Pedro Ramos, expressed excitement about the new contract: “Guest Services has a long history of serving our national parks and the millions of visitors that come out to visit them. We are thrilled that we can now move forward with Guest Services to revitalize Flamingo and offer quality services that will enhance the visitor experience at Everglades National Park.” Ramos also expressed his gratitude to Sammy Hamilton and Everglades National Park Boat Tours for over eight years of providing services to the visitors of the Flamingo area.

Gerry Gabrys, CEO of Guest Services, Inc. similarly shared his enthusiasm by stating, “2017 has been a very special year for our organization as it marks a ‘Century of Service’ since our founding in 1917. When we received this tremendous news from the National Park Service, our Centennial Celebration became even more special. We couldn’t be more excited about the opportunity to steward and enhance visitor services within the Everglades – truly one of America’s most iconic National Parks!”

Flamingo is accessed by water, through Florida Bay, or a 45-minute scenic drive through the park. Visitors will be able to walk out their cottage door, and within minutes have the opportunity to see crocodiles, alligators, manatees, sawfish, sea turtles, dolphin, tarpon and more. Flamingo is also a world-class birding and fishing paradise, with rich history of peoples and industries from the Calusa & Tequesta Indians, Guy Bradley and the Audubon Society, to Henry Flagler and agriculture.

Guest Services was selected under the provisions of the 1998 Concessions Management Improvement Act. Guidelines used to evaluate proposals can be found online at: http://www.nps.gov/commercialservices. More information about the company is available at www.guestservices.com.

For more information about Everglades National Park, visit http://www.nps.gov/ever or call (305) 242-7700.

– NPS –

The National Park Service has more than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America’s 417 National Parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov.

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Fairfield Inn & Suites Opens In Ashland, Virginia With Innovative Design And Décor

Holladay Properties and Guest Services, Inc. Formally Launch New Partnership

ASHLAND, Va., March 21, 2017 /PRNewswire/ — The 103-room Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Richmond Ashland (Virginia) celebrated its opening today. Located only 15 minutes from downtown Richmond, and 23 miles from Richmond International Airport, the Fairfield Inn & Suites Richmond Ashland will offer guests convenient access to Richmond International Raceway, James River Cellars Winery, Hanover County Airpark, Harley Davidson, and Bass Pro Shop. The Fairfield Inn & Suites Richmond Ashland (11625 Lakeridge Parkway) will operate as a Marriott franchise, jointly owned by Holladay Properties of South Bend, Indiana and Guest Services, Inc. of Fairfax, Virginia. Guest Services will also manage and operate the property.

“Delivering both function and comfort, our new design and décor elevate the Fairfield brand, setting a new standard in the moderate tier category,” said Shruti Buckley, vice president and global brand manager, Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott. “At Fairfield Inn & Suites, we provide an easy, positive and productive travel experience, as well as the promise of consistent and reliable service at an exceptional value. The Fairfield Inn & Suites Richmond Ashland is a truly stunning example of the brand’s contemporary look and feel, and we are pleased to introduce Fairfield Inn & Suites hotels in the Ashland area.”

Fairfield Ashland Exterior
The new 103-room Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Richmond Ashland at 11625 Lakeridge Parkway is now open. Hotel amenities include an inviting living area in the lobby, signature “smart” room decor, 24/7 Corner Market, indoor swimming pool, exercise room, lobby bar, valet laundry service, complimentary Wi-Fi, as well as 750 square feet of space to accommodate functions for up to 50 people.

“We are truly pleased with the progress and continued development in and around Winding Brook. Today’s opening of the Fairfield Inn & Suites Richmond Ashland is another shining example of our commitment to this wonderful community, and the great state of Virginia. We will be proud to serve our valued guests via this flexible, functional and accommodating property in partnership with Guest Services for many years to come,” stated John Phair, CEO of Holladay Properties. “The thoughtful design of the hotel draws inspiration from nature to create a hotel environment with a modern, bright new design that has been a very rewarding process for the team to bring to fruition through the planning, construction and now opening.”

“As a business headquartered in the Commonwealth of Virginia, and celebrating our Centennial in 2017, we couldn’t be more excited about the opportunity to open this amazing new property with our valued and trusted partner, Holladay Properties,” commented Gerry Gabrys, CEO of Guest Services, Inc. “Expanding our award-winning hotel portfolio with a property in the Commonwealth was an easy decision because of the Fairfield brand’s heritage of great service and warm welcomes, which is congruent with Guest Services’ heritage and culture. As with many of our other spectacular hotel properties, we have embraced the opportunity to connect the indoor spaces of the hotel with the outdoors, and have established a property surrounded by natural beauty. Our team of talented hospitality professionals embodies the southern charm of the Richmond area, and we greatly look forward to warmly welcoming guests to our property.”

Hotel amenities include an inviting living area in the lobby, signature “smart” room décor, a 24/7 Corner Market, an indoor swimming pool, an exercise room, lobby bar, valet laundry service, complimentary Wi-Fi, as well as fax and copy services. The hotel also offers 750 square feet of space to accommodate functions for up to 50 people.

Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott is designed for today’s traveler who is looking to be productive on the road, whether for business or leisure. In addition to complimentary Wi-Fi and hot breakfast, Fairfield Inn & Suites offers thoughtfully designed rooms and suites that provide separate living, working and sleeping areas. With more than 850 properties throughout the world, Fairfield Inn & Suites hotels participate in the award-winning Marriott Rewards® frequent travel program that allows members to earn hotel points or airline miles for every dollar spent during each stay. For more information or reservations, contact the Fairfield Inn & Suites Richmond Ashland hotel directly at 804-412-4800, call the Fairfield Inn & Suites toll-free number at 800-228-2800, visit www.fairfieldinn.com, become a fan at www.facebook.com/fairfieldinnandsuites or follow Fairfield at www.twitter.com/fairfieldhotels.

Holladay Properties is a full-scale land development, design/build and fully-integrated real estate company, as well as one of the largest medical office management firms in the country. With more than 200 employees in a range of specialties working throughout the United States, Holladay Properties under the leadership of CEO John Phair, has the knowledge and experience to complete any type of project for any kind of client. For more information regarding their services and capabilities visit www.holladayproperties.com.

For over a century, Guest Services, Inc. has earned the reputation as a premier hospitality management company and national and state park concessioner that has taken great care and pride in delivering best-in-class food, lodging, retail and recreation services. The Fairfax, Virginia-based company and its subsidiaries employ over 4,000 valued team members at more than 300 properties, which welcome approximately 35 million guests annually across the United States. Guest Services, Inc. is proud to welcome guests at the award-winning DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Naples, Mount Rainier National Park, The Lodge at Breckenridge, and iconic state park lodges such as the Bear Mountain Inn in New York, Big Sur Lodge in California and Echo Bluff State Park Lodge – Missouri’s newest state park in the Ozarks. To learn more visit www.guestservices.com.

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Leftovers: The Best Time-Saver

If you’re low on time, but still want to eat healthy, think ahead and prepare meals in bulk. Last night’s dinner can be enjoyed for lunch or even for dinner later in the week. Store your leftovers in BPA-free plastic containers or glass storage containers to easily bring a meal on-the-go. Below are some helpful tips for enjoying leftovers:

  • Most of the time, Chinese, Mexican, and whole grain pizza taste better the second time! Pack these leftovers with a salad to incorporate antioxidants and nutrients into your meal.
  • Try to make sure your leftovers aren’t fried, are made with whole grains when possible, and contain healthy oils (olive, peanut, coconut, and sesame).

Store Your Food Safely

To avoid food poisoning or spoiled food, remember to keep cold food cold and hot food hot. Make sure you don’t leave your meals in a hot car, otherwise they might spoil. And if you reuse containers and bags, make sure to wash them after using them.

What other foods taste better the second time around? Use #LocalRoots to join the conversation!