Tom Smith Appointed as the GM for the 1,641-room Hyatt Regency Orlando

The Rebranded Peabody Orlando Opens Next Month with Brian Comes as Hotel Manager & Nate Hardesty as Director of Sales & Marketing

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. October 01, 2013

ORLANDO - October 1, 2013 - Three key executives appointments were announced today in preparation for Hyatt Regency Orlando's opening, which is expected to occur on October 1, 2013 upon rebranding from The Peabody Orlando: Tom Smith has been appointed Area Vice President and General Manager, Brian Comes has been appointed as Hotel Manager, and Nate Hardesty has been appointed as Director of Sales and Marketing.

Tom Smith, Area Vice President and General Manager of Hyatt Regency Orlando, is a 31-year Hyatt veteran. Smith was most recently the Senior Vice President of Operations for Hyatt's Global Operations Center based in Chicago, where he oversaw the strategy of all hotel operations globally.

During his career with Hyatt, Smith has held positions as General Manager at various North American hotels. In 2006, Smith was awarded Hyatt's General Manager of the Year for Hyatt Hotels North America; and in 1996, Smith coordinated operations for Hyatt at the summer Olympic Games in Atlanta.

Smith is a graduate of Pennsylvania State University and moves to Orlando with Tamara, his wife of 25 years, and two daughters, Lauren and Kailey.

"Tom's extensive experience with Hyatt makes him extremely well-suited to take the helm of the largest convention hotel presence for Hyatt in the United States and drive it forward into the market," said Carlos Cabrera, Senior Vice President of Field Operations for Hyatt Hotels & Resorts. "It is exciting to be growing our brand portfolio and at the same time welcoming an exceptional and energetic group of new Hyatt associates. Under Tom's leadership, Hyatt Regency Orlando will inevitably continue elevating the Hyatt Regency profile as the most preferred brand in the leisure and meetings market."

"I am thrilled to assume my new role in the Orlando community as General Manager of Hyatt Regency Orlando and bring the Hyatt Regency experience to life for our associates, guests and local residents," said Tom Smith, Area Vice President and General Manager of Hyatt Regency Orlando. "I am committed to fostering new connections and creating energizing experiences for guests and visitors of Hyatt Regency Orlando, key attributes our brand lives by every single day."

Brian Comes, Hotel Manager of Hyatt Regency Orlando, has been part of the Hyatt family for 25 years. Comes will support Tom Smith in positioning Hyatt Regency Orlando as one of the premier convention center hotels in the brand's global portfolio. Comes has held various positions as Director of Catering and Convention Services and several General Manager roles throughout the United States. In his most recent role as General Manager of Hyatt Regency Indianapolis, he was awarded Hyatt's General Manager of the Year for mid-size properties. Comes is a graduate of James Madison University and moves to Orlando with his wife Mirey, daughter Kaitlyn, and son Chris.

Nate Hardesty joins Hyatt Regency Orlando as the hotel's Director of Sales and Marketing, and will report to both Tom Smith and Brian Comes. Hardesty brings 12 years of Hyatt sales and marketing hospitality experience with him to Orlando. Most recently, he was the Director of Sales and Marketing for Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa with previous positions at Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort, Spa and Casino and Grand Hyatt Denver among other U.S.

properties. He is a graduate from Northern Illinois University and moves to Orlando with his wife Rosa and son Michelangelo.

Forward-Looking Statements in this press release, which are not historical facts, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Our actual results, performance or achievements may differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by the use of words such as "may," "could," "expect," "intend," "plan," "seek," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "predict," "potential," "continue," "likely," "will," "would" and variations of these terms and similar expressions, or the negative of these terms or similar expressions. Such forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by us and our management, are inherently uncertain. Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations include, among others, the rate and pace of economic recovery following economic downturns; levels of spending in business and leisure segments as well as consumer confidence; declines in occupancy and average daily rate; if our third-party owners, franchisees or development partners are unable to access the capital necessary to fund current operations or implement our plans for growth; changes in the competitive environment in our industry and the markets where we operate; our ability to access the capital markets; and other risks discussed in the Company's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K, which filings are available from the SEC. We caution you not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which are made as of the date of this press release. We undertake no obligation to update publicly any of these forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, new information or future events, changes in assumptions or changes in other factors affecting forward-looking statements, except to the extent required by applicable laws. If we update one or more forward-looking statements, no inference should be drawn that we will make additional updates with respect to those or other forward-looking statements.

About Hyatt Regency Orlando

Located in the heart of Orlando's International Drive resort area, and directly across from and adjacent to the Orange County Convention Center, Hyatt Regency Orlando will offer unparalleled leisure, meetings and convention facilities to its guests. With 1,641 recently renovated guestrooms and more than 300,000 square feet of meeting space - and with over two million square feet of space in the Orange County Convention Center to which the hotel is attached - Hyatt Regency Orlando will be the largest convention hotel presence for the brand in the United States. Other hotel amenities will include: The Spa, the hotel's 22,000 square-foot, full service spa and hair salon; and the Fitness Center, an 8,000 square-foot facility that includes group exercise classes, spinning and over 50 pieces of state-of-the-art equipment. Dining options will include both full service and self-serve outlets that range from Napa - a Northern California inspired setting and menu - to Rocks, the see-and-be-seen hot spot for locals and guests alike; plus Fiorenzo Italian Steakhouse, with a selection of steaks, chops, seafood and pasta specialties. Hyatt Regency Orlando will offer business and leisure guests authentic hospitality and energizing experiences while working or visiting Orlando. For more information and reservations call 407-284-1234 or visit www.orlando.regency.hyatt.com.

About Hyatt Regency

Hyatt Regency offers a full range of services and facilities tailored to serve the needs of meeting planners, business travelers and leisure guests. Properties range in size from 180 to over 2,000 rooms and are conveniently located in urban, suburban, airport, convention and resort destinations around the world. Hyatt Regency convention hotels feature spacious meeting and conference facilities designed to provide a productive environment allowing guests to convene and connect. Hyatt Regency hotels in resort locations cater to couples seeking a getaway, families enjoying a vacation together and corporate groups seeking a functional and relaxed atmosphere in which to conduct business and meetings.