Contacts:
Lisa Beers
Waterford Group, LLC
(860) 442-4559
lbeers@waterfordgroup.net
Annette Sanderson
CCEDA
(860) 527-0100
asanderson@cceda.com

Three Major Hartford Developments Receive Blue Ribbon Awards
at 2006 CT Real Estate Exchange Developers Showcase
CT Convention Center, Marriott Hartford Downtown and Hilton Hartford
recognized as best in state for development efforts

(HARTFORD, CT) – Three major Hartford real estate developments have received prestigious Blue Ribbon Awards by the Connecticut Real Estate Exchange, the state’s leading professional real estate group. The Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford, the Hilton Hartford, the Marriott Hartford Downtown, were recently honored at the 2006 Developers Showcase, an annual award ceremony sponsored by the CT Real Estate Exchange, which is comprised of developers, brokers, lender, investors, architects, contractors and other real estate professionals in the Connecticut commercial real estate market.

The Connecticut Real Estate Awards were established in 1995 by The Real Estate Exchange to recognize those projects completed in the past year that have had the greatest positive impact on the State of Connecticut. The awards honored the individuals and companies that successfully completed a real estate project while overcoming significant obstacles.

All three projects are professionally managed by affiliates of Waterford Group.

“We are truly honored to be recognized this year for three of our properties,” said Len Wolman, CEO and Chairman for Waterford Group said. “We would like to dedicate these awards to everyone involved in the projects and all those participating in the revitalization of Hartford. Waterford Group is committed to the success of Connecticut’s hospitality industry and we hope that these beautiful facilities will serve the residents and visitors of Hartford for years to come.”

Bill Munro, Regional Director of Operations for Waterford Group, accepted the Blue Ribbon Awards for the Hilton Hartford and the Marriott Hartford Downtown. Annette Sanderson, executive director of the Capital City Economic Authority (CCEDA), accepted the Blue Ribbon Award for the Connecticut Convention Center. CCEDA is the convention center’s public ownership entity. The property is privately managed by Waterford Venue Services, a subsidiary of Waterford Group. CCEDA also oversees the development of Adriaen’s Landing, a $775 million development along Hartford’s riverfront that includes the convention center and the Marriott hotel, with Waterford Group serving as Master Developer.

“In just one year, The Connecticut Convention Center and the Marriott Hartford Downtown have already had a significant impact on the city, the state and the region,” Sanderson said. “Together they represent the largest full-service hotel-convention complex between New York and Boston and have brought more than 250,000 people here for meetings, conventions and tradeshows. It is truly an honor to be recognized for these extremely successful projects.”

This year’s annual award ceremony was held at the Connecticut Convention Center on March 29.

About the Connecticut Convention Center
When the Connecticut Convention Center opened June 2, 2005, it created a new sense of energy and momentum in downtown Hartford. Together with the brand new, 409 room Marriott Hartford Downtown, the attached properties serve as the largest full-service meeting place between New York and Boston. Waterford Group served as master developer of the more than $350 Million development. The Convention Center is owned by CCEDA (Capital City Economic Development Authority) and managed for the state by Waterford Venue Services.

About the Marriott Hartford Downtown
Opened in summer 2005 and located at 200 Columbus Boulevard in downtown Hartford, the Marriott Hartford Downtown is the anchor for the new Connecticut Convention Center and a key destination in the state’s 33-acre Adriaen’s Landing enterprise of retail, residential, entertainment, and cultural venues and attractions. Amid the city’s rebirth, the Marriott Hartford Downtown was as a vital player in defining Hartford as a premier destination for business and leisure travel. The hotel is professionally managed by Waterford Hotel Group, Inc.

About the Hilton Hartford
The Hilton Hartford celebrated its grand opening in spring 2005, after completing a $33 million renovation. The hotel is connected to the Hartford Civic Center via a skywalk, which provides hotel guests access to outstanding Connecticut area sports, cultural and consumer show events. Beautifully transformed into a modern, upscale hotel, the Hilton is seen as another vital step in the more than $2 billion revitalization of Hartford. The 392-room hotel provides visitors with top level services, the perfect combination of elegance and convenience, and an ideal downtown location for both business and leisure travel. The hotel is professionally managed by Waterford Hotel Group, Inc.