Grandeur and Appreciation Mark the Debut of East Coast's Largest Combined Hotel and Convention Center
National Harbor, MD—( April 25, 2008 ) The newest monumental addition to the national capital region, the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center, made its long-awaited and elaborate debut today. See images here.
The dramatic ceremony was highlighted by a 175-foot long blue ribbon, created as a symbol of the Potomac River, which was draped across the resort’s signature atrium. More than 2,000 political dignitaries, community leaders and resort guests watched as the ribbon was “cut” to reveal a sparkling Gaylord logo as fireworks marked the official opening of the project that was five years in the making. Gigantic flags unfurled as music from the Oxon Hill High School choir created a patriotic atmosphere that inspired cheering.
“People will travel here by watertaxi and will be traveling here from around the world,” said Maryland Lieutenant Governor Anthony Brown. “It has the capacity to be an extraordinary economic driver for Prince George’s County which is such an important part of the fabric of this state. It is fitting that this county will now house one of the biggest and most beautiful resorts in the world.”
Lt. Governor Brown spoke at the 2 p.m. event along with Prince George’s County Executive Jack Johnson, Gaylord National Senior Vice President and General Manager Sheldon Suga, and Gaylord Entertainment’s Chief Executive Officer, Colin Reed.
“There is no more special place to celebrate our country’s growth and strength than here in the shadow of the Washington Monument on the banks of the beautiful Potomac,” stated Reed. “This shining moment is a reflection of the cooperation of many people in this community and the result of the hard work and passion of our dedicated new STAR employees.”
Set along the banks of the Potomac River, the massive $865 million facility is the largest combined hotel and convention center on the Eastern Seaboard. It boasts 2,000 luxurious guest rooms, including 110 lavish suites, and 470,000 square feet of meeting, convention and exhibit space.
Today Johnson called the career opportunities and training provided by Gaylord Hotels through the Gaylord National Resort some of the best hospitality jobs in the world. “Gaylord National is the light on the hill in Prince George’s County that shows us that anything can be done,” Johnson exclaimed.
The resort is the cornerstone of the exciting new National Harbor development, a 300-acre waterfront destination offering world-class dining, retail and entertainment venues. National Harbor is conveniently located just minutes south of the nation’s capital in Prince George’s County, Md.
Gaylord National immerses guests in the lore and legacies of the historic mid-Atlantic region. Beneath its barrel-vaulted glass dome, visitors find sophisticated guestrooms and suites situated around a climate-controlled atrium that pays homage to the area’s famous sights and sounds. There are lush indoor gardens, winding pathways, a sparkling indoor river, and even life-size recreations of a federalist-style clapboard farmhouse and a two-story, red-brick colonial mercantile shop.
Here, guests will also enjoy four signature restaurants, a 20,000-square-foot spa, the area’s hottest ultra lounge, elegant retail shops and a magnificent waterfront promenade boasting a full-service marina and views of nearby Washington D.C. and Old Town Alexandria, Virginia.
Just steps from the resort, guests will discover National Harbor, a vibrant community offering world-class restaurants, retail shops and unique entertainment options. This destination will also host special events throughout the year, such as an upscale farmer’s market, food and wine festival, art festival, outdoor concerts and movies along the waterfront, and much more.
The opening of Gaylord National underscores the resort’s positive impact in boosting convention business in Prince George’s County and the Washington D.C. region. In June 2007, ten months out from opening, Gaylord National announced that it had pre-sold more than 1,000,000 room nights to meeting and convention groups through the year 2018. The announcement broke the hospitality industry record for the highest number of room nights pre-sold before a hotel opening anywhere.
Gaylord National is the fourth convention resort to be owned and operated by Nashville-based Gaylord Hotels. Standard guest room rates start at $299 per night, and suites start at $1,100 per night. For more information or to make reservations, visit www.gaylordnational.com or call 301-965-2000. See images here.
About Gaylord Hotels
Gaylord Hotels™ is a pioneer in the hotel and convention industry with a collection of four upscale, meetings- focused resorts found near Nashville, Tennessee; Orlando, Florida; Dallas, Texas; and Washington, D.C. Every Gaylord property celebrates the geographical heritage of the destination in which it is located with regional themes and attractions designed exclusively for that resort. The company’s hallmark – “everything in one place” – provides meeting attendees and leisure travelers with convenient onsite access to award-winning dining options, quality spa and fitness facilities, top-notch entertainment, on-site shopping and resort activities. Gaylord Hotels is owned and operated by Gaylord Entertainment (NYSE: GET), a leading hospitality and entertainment company based in Nashville, Tennessee. For more information, visit www.gaylordhotels.com.
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Media Contact:
Amie Gorrell, Director of Public Relations, 301-965-2111, agorrell@gaylordhotels.com
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