MapForums

SpatialPoint Technology Enhances Choice Hotels’ Sales Process

SpatialPoint’s Impact Locator Helps Ensure That There is Always a Choice Hotel Close By

DES PLAINES, Ill. June 19, 2007 -- SpatialPoint today announced that Choice Hotels is utilizing SpatialPoint’s Impact Locator to assist in its franchise sales process. The use of mapping technology from SpatialPoint has changed how Choice’s Development team goes about their daily activities.

Choice was looking for a way to optimize the hotel franchise sales process. SpatialPoint’s Impact Locator application delivered real-time information into the hands of Choice’s development team. The technology streamlined the pre-application qualification process, hence shortening the application cycle. Now, Choice’s sales team enters the location of a potential new hotel and can easily identify and determine optimal distribution across all hotel brands without impacting current franchisees.

"SpatialPoint created an application that provided a comprehensive market overview as it relates to existing Choice product and their competitive position,” said Bill Balletto, Regional Vice President of Franchise Development at Choice Hotels International. “As a result, we are able to make more efficient and effective decisions regarding strategic property development.” “Areas of protection (AOPs) are a common challenge for franchise sales professionals,” said Lloyd Biddle, Director, Development Operations, Choice Hotels International. “When searching for ways to identify strategic market opportunities for franchise sales without infringing on existing franchisee rights, SpatialPoint stepped up to the plate with a superior product, competitive pricing, and top-notch customer service. It has been a pleasure working with the SpatialPoint team of mapping technology experts.”

SpatialPoint’s Atlas technology combined with Microsoft MapPoint Web Service, a component of Microsoft’s Virtual Earth Platform, powers the Choice Hotels Impact Locator. The solution was delivered in less than three months. It is currently used by approximately two hundred-fifty Choice employees worldwide. The payback period was less than six months. “Impact Locator puts the information directly into the hands of the field personnel that need it to make operational decisions,” said SpatialPoint President and CEO Alex Machinis. “Our Atlas technology enables us to quickly deliver tailored solutions that leverage mapping technology and spatial analysis capabilities without the complexity of traditional GIS (geographic information systems) based systems.”

About SpatialPoint

SpatialPoint, the locator experts, provide solutions that help customers leverage location to improve sales and customer service. Whether it is a store locator to drive retail traffic, a coverage locator to visualize your network, or an impact locator to perform what if analysis, SpatialPoint can help. SpatialPoint’s Atlas technology combined with Microsoft Virtual Earth, gives users the most widely used features of web-based GIS solutions, with the simplicity and ease of use of a hosted web service. This combination allows SpatialPoint to deliver high value, business relevant solutions at a low cost. For more information about SpatialPoint go to MapPoint | Locator Experts | SpatialPoint or call 866-846-5900.

About Choice Hotels

Choice Hotels International franchises more than 5,400 hotels, representing more than 440,000 rooms, in the United States and 39 countries and territories. As of March 31, 2007, 833 hotels are under development in the United States, representing 64,078 rooms, and an additional 70 hotels, representing 6,463 rooms, are under development in more than 15 countries and territories. The company's Cambria Suites, Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, Quality, Clarion, Sleep Inn, Econo Lodge, Rodeway Inn, MainStay Suites and Suburban Extended Stay Hotel brands serve guests worldwide.

Additional corporate information may be found on Choice Hotels Internet site, which may be accessed at choicehotels.com.

Choice Hotels, Choice Hotels International, Cambria Suites, Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, Quality, Clarion, Sleep Inn, MainStay Suites, Suburban Extended Stay Hotel, Econo Lodge and Rodeway Inn are proprietary trademarks and service marks of Choice Hotels International.