Jennifer Fridley Returns to Historic Hampton Inn & Suites Birmingham-Tutwiler Hotel DOSM
NEW ORLEANS, LA - June 17, 2014 - Jennifer Fridley has returned as director of sales and marketing at the Hampton Inn & Suites Birmingham-Tutwiler, announced Brett Forshag, vice president of sales and marketing for HRI Lodging (HRIL), which manages the historic property.
Fridley previously worked at the historic downtown Birmingham hotel as director of sales and marketing from 2006 until 2013. She left the Tutwiler to become the ecommerce manager at Integral Hospitality Solutions, which operates four Hampton Inn properties. Most recently, she served as the events manager of Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum.
“The management and staff of the hotel are thrilled to welcome Jennifer back to the Tutwiler,” said Forshag. “She was very much missed, but she gained valuable experience in her recent positions that will prove quite useful to the sales and marketing of our historic property,” added Forshag.
Prior to joining the Tutwiler in 2006, Fridley worked at Sheraton Four Points in Tuscaloosa, the Mountain Brook Inn and the historic Wynfrey Hotel. She earned a bachelor of arts degree in communications from the University of Alabama.
Interwest Capital, a national leader in the hospitality sector, acquired the Tutwiler in June 2013. At the time, the Tutwiler was the sixth hotel property in Interwest's diverse commercial real estate portfolio.
HRI Lodging and Interwest Capital Corporation have an existing relationship from a joint venture in which the two firms purchased the Hotel New Orleans in 2011, then renovated and re-branded it as the Hyatt Place New Orleans/Convention Center.
The Tutwiler Hotel, celebrating its 100th anniversary, is designated as a National Historic Landmark. The original hotel opened in 1914 on the southeast corner of 20th Street and 5th Avenue North, cementing 20th Street as Birmingham's “Main Street.” It was built in a lavish style, with a large, elegant main lobby that had balconies overlooking from two mezzanine levels.
The hotel was imploded in 1974 to make way for the First Alabama Bank building. The Tutwiler reopened in 1986 a block away in the old Ridgely Apartments building constructed in 1913 and also owned by the Tutwiler family.
Beginning in May 2006, The Tutwiler underwent a total transformation, with upgrades such as a fitness center, business center, signature restaurant and a refinishing of every guestroom. The historic architecture, including the exterior, polished marble floors and vaulted ceilings, are the only components that remain the same.
The Hampton Inn & Suites Birmingham-Tutwiler has 149 guestrooms and suites and a ballroom, boardroom and meeting rooms. Included in every stay is free hot breakfast, a clean and fresh Hampton bed®, free high-speed Internet access in every room, and gym/fitness center use.
About HRI Lodging
HRI Lodging, Inc. (HRIL) is one of the 50 largest hotel management companies in the U.S. with a current portfolio of 17 hotels and resorts spanning the continental U.S. By building alliances with major domestic and international investment firms, the organization pursues a dual mode growth strategy of managing independent, boutique properties as well as partnering with industry leading brands, including Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt, Starwood and Intercontinental Hotel Group. HRI Lodging is the hotel management division of New Orleans-based HRI Properties, a full-service real estate development company and a national leader in the adaptive reuse of historic structures. HRI's mission is: Revitalizing Cities by Creating Diverse, Vibrant and Sustainable Communities.
About Interwest Capital Corporation
Interwest Capital Corporation is a La Jolla, CA based opportunistic investment firm that specializes in the acquisition of performing and non-performing commercial real estate loans and loan portfolios as well as direct real estate investments nationwide. Interwest owns a diverse portfolio of multi-family apartment communities, mixed-use retail centers, boutique hotels and office buildings. A significant portion of the portfolio consists of unique historic properties in vibrant downtown submarkets. More information is at www.interwestcapital.com.
Tom Long
Thomas Long Corporate Communications
504-283-8522
504-669-3030 (cell)
8600 Pontchartrain Blvd.
Suite 201
New Orleans, LA 70124
Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is a global leading lodging company based in Bethesda,Maryland, USA, with more than 4,200 properties in 80 countries and territories. Marriott International reported revenues of nearly $14 billion in fiscal year 2014. The company operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts under 19 brands, including: The Ritz-Carlton®, BVlgari®, EDITION®, JW Marriott®, Autograph Collection® Hotels, Renaissance® Hotels, Marriott Hotels®, Delta Hotels and Resorts®, Marriott Executive Apartments®, Marriott Vacation Club®, Gaylord Hotels®, AC Hotels by Marriott®, Courtyard®, Residence Inn®, SpringHill Suites®, Fairfield Inn & Suites®, TownePlace Suites®, Protea Hotels® and MoxyHotels®. Marriott has been consistently recognized as a top employer and for its superior business ethics. The company also manages the award-winning guest loyalty program, Marriott Rewards® and The Ritz-Carlton Rewards® program, which together surpass 50 million members. For more information or reservations, please visit our website at 
