Fiercely independent. Better than best

MEDIA RELEASE

THE GREAT NORTHERN RESORT & CONFERENCE CENTRE

************************* Best Western Great Northern changes to the Great Northern Resort & Conference Centre

Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario – The Great Northern Resort & Conference Centre announced today that it has left the Best Western chain and is now operating as an independent property.

"We are known for being a fiercely independent people in this region and this is true of our hotel," says Vesna Pejic, the Great Northern Resort & Conference Center's General Manager. "We are proud citizens of the great community of Sault Ste. Marie and are committed to its heritage and growth. Our customer-driven hospitality team will remain the same and we are looking forward to providing our clients with the exceptional care they have grown to appreciate," says Pejic.

The Great Northern Resort & Conference Centre is known for a few big things, including the biggest conference center in Northern Ontario, the biggest indoor waterslide in Northern Ontario, at five-and-a-half storeys, and a big heart, by having a long history of community service.

The resort was honoured with a Mayor's Award for outstanding commitment to not-for-profit organizations in 2006. The hotel has sponsored career fairs, the annual Lung Association's Festival of Trees, Bon Soo Winter Carnival and the Harley Owners Group (H.O.G.) rally. They have also pitched in with the Red Cross during the evacuation of the First Nations reserve, and are a supporter of the Shop with a Cop program. Through CHIP Hospitality's annual Friends in Need program, the Great Northern Resort raised over $28,000 in the past four years.

"The Great Northern Resort & Conference Centre is a strong local business and a valued corporate citizen and we are confident that it will continue to serve its guests and the community extremely well," says Mark Medland, Regional Vice-President, Ontario, CHIP Hospitality.

CHIP Hospitality is one of Canada's leading hotel management companies and currently manages 32 hotels and resorts in Canada with more than 7,700 rooms. The company manages independent hotels and hotels operating under major franchise brands including some Delta Hotels, Crowne Plaza, Radisson, Residence Inn by Marriott, Holiday Inn, Hilton, Quality, Gouverneur, Best Western, Ramada and Coast properties. CHIP Hospitality is fully owned by British Columbia Investment Management Corporation ("bcIMC"), a Canadian leader in investment funds management that is based in Victoria, British Columbia (www.bcimc.com).

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