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News Release
WWW.DARWIN.NET
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contacts:
Darwin Networks Mindstorm Communications for Darwin Networks
DeVone Holt Jennie Svitavsky or Stacey Castiglia
502-213-4818 212-320-2100
[email protected] [email protected]
Lodgian Selects Darwin Networks To Provide Cutting Edge Technology and VPN Services To Over 129 Properties
LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY - June 12, 2000 - As an industry leader with 129 properties and more than 24,000 rooms in 35 states, Lodgian's portfolio immediately allows Darwin Networks to significantly expand its user base to potentially hundreds of thousands of Internet users throughout the United States. "Our partnership with Lodgian is a continuation of our strategy to provide premium Internet and network services for the nation's top tier hotels," said David Wigglesworth, president of Darwin Networks' Hospitality Division. "As one of the leading Marriott International and Bass Hotels and Resorts franchisees, with recognized brands such as Holiday Inn, Crowne Plaza, Hilton, Marriott, Marriott Courtyard, Radisson and Sheraton to its credit, Lodgian undoubtedly advances us in our goal." By offering a combination of services, Darwin Networks enhances the Internet experiences of every type of Lodgian hotel guest. Business travelers can take advantage of Darwin Networks' in-room high-speed Internet connections and video conferencing services in hotel meeting rooms, while guests traveling without a laptop can surf the Internet via Darwin Network's state-of-the-art public kiosks in hotel lobbies. Hoteliers and guests alike benefit from Darwin's private peered network, which allows hotels and partner companies to transmit private "Internet" data across the company's nationwide backbone, thus avoiding the risks associated with using the public Internet as a transmission medium. "Having assessed the needs of our guests, we recognized the undeniable strength of the demand for in-room high speed Internet access," said Lodgian Director of Technology, Drew Terrell. "Our research suggests that Darwin Networks will not only enhance the service offerings we provide to our guests, but will just as importantly augment our hotel revenues." Recent studies indicate that over half of all hotel guests with in-room Internet access actually use the service - usually twice as long per session than an average "home" user. Darwin Networks recently began deploying services to the hotel properties and expects the entire Lodgian portfolio to be connected by late fall this year. Once each Lodgian property has been wired with a Darwin Networks connection, training coordinators will teach Lodgian's hotel employees how to market and sell high speed Internet access and networking services. These training programs have helped to more than triple expected usage in some hotels. "We selected Darwin Networks for the quality and performance of its solutions and innovative services," said Nancy Wolff, Lodgian's chief information officer. "Offering high speed Internet access services that meet every guest's needs will enable us to maintain a strong lead over the competition as high speed Internet access transitions from amenity to necessity." About Darwin Networks Darwin Networks provides high speed Internet access and network solutions to small and medium-sized businesses; office, flex, industrial and retail properties; apartment, condominium and student housing complexes; hotels and telephone companies; using wireless, wireline, and DSL technologies. The company has agreements in place and in progress to launch services in approximately 1,237 locations in almost 40 states and Canada. The Louisville, Kentucky-based company offers a full complement of marketing and support services, including training, to assist business owners, property managers and their staffs in marketing and implementing new services. Additionally, Darwin is the nation's premier provider of public Internet access kiosks. To date, the company has installed hundreds of units throughout the country, in hotels, restaurants, tourist/travel centers, cafes, airports, and more. The company also produces, installs and operates multimedia kiosks designed for retail/eCommerce, interactive information distribution, communications, entertainment, advertising and other uses. Darwin Networks has corporate offices in Louisville, KY, Seattle, WA and Walnut Creek, San Diego, CA and Boston, MA. The company's investors include Broadband Solutions, LLC (led by Chrysalis Ventures, LLC), Paul Allen's Vulcan Ventures, Richland Ventures, River Cities Capital and associates of Moore Capital. For more information about Darwin Networks, please visit www.darwin.net.
About Lodgian
Lodgian, Inc. currently owns or manages a portfolio of 129 hotels with approximately 24,000 rooms in 35 states and Canada. The hotels are primarily full service, providing food and beverage service, as well as meeting facilities. Substantially all of Lodgian's hotels are affiliated with nationally recognized hospitality brands such as Holiday Inn, Crowne Plaza, Marriott, Sheraton, Hilton, Doubletree and Westin.
Lodgian's common shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "LOD." Lodgian is a component of both the Russell 2000® Index, representing small cap stocks, and the Russell 3000® Index, representing the broader market.
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